Brönnle, Herbert

Date of birth:: December 25th, 1920 (Munich/Bavaria, Germany)
Date of death:: July 4th, 1943 (Lake Lentini/Catania/Sicily, Italy)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Herbert Brönnle was transferred on 1st September 1940 to 2. / Jagdgeschwader 54, where he was promoted to Unteroffizier. He had to made a forced landing behind enemy lines on 17th August. He had to walk 20km to reach his own forces again. He was severely wounded on 14th May 1942 and was hospitalised until december. In the period he was promoted to Leutnant (19th May 1943), he was transferred to 2. / Jagdgeschwader 53, returning in operational service again. On 4th July 1943 he was shot down by Spitfires during air action over Catania airfield in eastern Sicily, crashing north of Lago di Lentini.

He was credited with 58 aerial victories (including 1 US four-engined bomber) over the course of flying 387 combat sorties.

Promotions:
23rd June 1941: Unteroffizier;
?: Feldwebel;
?: Oberfeldwebel;
19th May 1943: Leutnant;
22nd June 1943: Oberleutnant.

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Luftwaffe Ehrenpokale für besondere Leistungen im Luftkrieg

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Unteroffizier
Unit:: 2. / Jagdgeschwader 54
Awarded on:: October 7th, 1941

Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Feldwebel (Sergeant)
Unit:: I. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 54 "Grünherz", Luftwaffe
Awarded on:: June 15th, 1942

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberfeldwebel (Flight Sergeant)
Unit:: Flugzeugführer, 4. Staffel, II. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 54 "Grünherz", Luftwaffe
Awarded on:: March 14th, 1943

The following newspaper excerpt (dated 06.04.1943) describes why Brönnle was awarded the Knight’s Cross..

“Oberfeldwebel Brönnle shot down 50 enemy aircraft while serving as a fighter pilot. He has also distinguished himself during fighter-bomber missions.”

According to Fellgiebel the surname is Broennle.