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Bretnütz, Heinz

Date of birth:
January 24th, 1914 (Mannheim/Baden, Germany)
Date of death:
June 27th, 1941 (Hauptverbandplatz Jurbarkas, Lithuania)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

According to the Volksbund, Heinz Bretnütz lies buried in an unknown grave at the German War Cemetery Insterbug. According to Family records however, his remains were transferred by his family to Mannheim during the war, where he was reburied in the family grave.

Promotions:
December 1st, 1934: Unteroffizier;
July 1st, 1937: Leutnant.

Career:
1932: Reichswehr;
1938 - March 1939: 2. Staffel, Jagdgruppe 88, Legion Condor;
1939: 6. Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 53;
June 24th, 1940: Staffelkapitän, 6. Staffel, Jagdgeschwader 53;
October 10th, 1940: Kommandeur, II. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 53.

Achieved two air victories during the Spanish Civil War and 37 in total.

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Rank:
Leutnant (Pilot Officer)
Awarded on:
1938
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Period:
Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Awarded on:
May 4th, 1939
Nationalist Pilots Badge
Period:
Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Awarded on:
May 4th, 1939
Medalla de la Campaña de España 1936-1939
Period:
Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Awarded on:
May 4th, 1939
Cruz de Guerra Cross
Period:
Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
Rank:
Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)
Unit:
2. Staffel, Jagdgruppe 88, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
June 6th, 1939
Spanienkreuz, Gold mit Schwertern
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Flight Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
September 27th, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Flight Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
May 8th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Flight Lieutenant)
Unit:
Kommandeur II. Gruppe, Jagdgeschwader 53, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:
October 21st, 1940
Awarded after he had shot down 20 aircraft and 12 balloons.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Hauptmann (Flight Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
1940
Pilota Militare
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1941
Frontflugspange für Jäger in Gold

Sources

Photo