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The Kracker Luftwaffe Archive: Axis Powers Pilots and Crew




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There is a rogue group of copyright infringers who have stolen a much earlier version of my data - from at least 10 years ago - and have the affrontery to publish that, along with using my name, on their poorly researched website. They claim this is the 'original' Kracker Archive, a ridiculous claim since my Archive has been in a state of continuous development for over 30 years and nobody - NOBODY - has the original. They have no right to use my name or my data and readers who come across this nonsense should do nothing to encourage theft of this nature. I am outraged by this blatant theft and misrepresentation of my lifetime's work. The ONLY person I have ever authorized to publish my data and use my name is Kelvin Youngs, who earned my trust and respect many years ago and is authorized by me to publish my work on whichever website he organizes, currently this being its present home at the highly respected Aircrew Remembered.
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You searched for: “bruck AND helmut

#Pilot/Crew
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PhotoUnitsAircraftAwards*************Notes*************LinksAuthorComments
1 Beckmann, HelmutLt3/9/1921Coesfeld 182/JG-27 (4/42 Libya; 4/43 Holland), 3/JG-27 (4/44), Stfkpt 3/JG-27 (6/44 Reich Def), Erg/ JGr.-Süd (7/44), Stffüh 3/JG-27 (9/44), Stfkpt 4/JG-27 (12/44), Stfkpt 3/JG-27 (2/45), Stfkpt 5/JG-27 (4/45)Bf 109F Werk # Unk "Red 7" (lost 6/27/42), Bf 109G-4 Werk # 14882 "Blk 5" (10% dam 4/11/43, forc lnd Leeuwarden FP, low fuel, pilot OK), Bf 109G6 Werk # Unk "Red 6" (lost 2/22/44), Bf 109K-4 Werk # Unk (lost 12/27/44 Ardennes Region, pilot OK), Bf 109G or K Werk # Unk (lost 3/19/45 sd by Spitfire Rheine vic, pilot WIA) (SGLO & LOCS)


EK 1 & 2
Wound Badge
Fighter Operational Clasp in Silver (7/5/42) & Gold
Fifteen victories were achieved in JG-27, 10 were bombers, two from the 306th BG, one of which, his 2nd, was Lee Kesslers! (Uffz H. Beckmann on 21 May, 1943). His first victory was a Spitfire V east of Marsa Matruh on 26 June, 1942. WIA 27 June, 1942 during aerial combat with a Hurricane near Mersa Matruh, being hit in the shoulder and foot losing his right big toe. His 3rd, a B-17 at Ostuizen-Hörne, S of Hagen, on 12 August, 1943. His 4th, a B-24 S of Weiz on 22 February, 1944. Added: After this encounter, he bailed safely, and his ac crashed near Birkfeld due to B-24 return fire (C.König). His 5th, a B-24 NE of Karlovac on 19 March, 1944. His 6th, a B-24 SE of Köszeg on 23 April, 1944. His 8th, a B-24 at Brück-a.d.-Mür on 24 May, 1944. His 10th, a P-47 at La Neuve Lyre on 12 June, 1944. His 13th, a P-47 NE of Dinant on 27 December, 1944 (Perry Claims). His 14th, an Auster 5 km SE of Krefeld on 11 March, 1945. Survived the war and lived at Weidenkamp 30, 4670 Lünen, W. Germany as of May 1990. Deceased 23 June, 2001.
2 Bruck, HelmutObst1913/02/16Kittlitztreben, Krs. Bunzlau1


I./StG 165 (04/36-04/39), Stfkpt 1./StG 77 (05/39-08/40), Kdr I./StG 77 (08/40-02/43), Kdr SG 77 (10/43-02/45), Kdr SG 151 (12/44-03/45)Ju 87B-2 "S2 + AB" in I/StG-77, Ju 87D in StG-77 & SG-77, Fw 190F & G in SG 77
RK (No 309, 04/09/41, CK)
EL (No 191, 19/02/43 CK)

Deutsches Kreuz - Gold (No 07/213; 20/10/42, CK)

EK 1 (21/05/40 CK) & EK 2 (13/09/39 CK)

Bomber Operational Clasp in Gold Croation Red Krune Kralja Zvonimira II.Stupnja s Macevima (10/04/42 CK)
Hungarian Magyar Érdemrend Lovagkeresztje (30/05/41 CK)
Twice he picked up downed crewmen behind enemy lines in Russia. Commanded SG-77 again in February, 1945. 973 missions, including 15 in the Fw 190. His permanent R/O was Ofw Franz Hettinger. One known victory, a Soviet I-15 on 15 January, 1942. Added: OKnights Cross awarded after flying 200 ground attack sorties, the 309th award. Oak Leafs awarded after flying over 300 ground attack sorties (193rd award).(CKönig)

Courtesy CK

3 Fauser, HelmutOfhr18/JG-27 (Reich Def)Bf 109G-6 Werk # 441469 "Red 13 + I" (lost 5/24/44) EK 2
Fighter Operational Clasp
KilledInAction (KIA) 24 May, 1944 during aerial combat with bombers, 40km south of St Pölten. One known victory, his 1st, a B-24 (HSS) 60 km N of Brück-a.d.-Mür on 24 May, 1944.
4 Hettinger, FranzOfw7/28/1913Stuttgart11/StG-165, 1/StG-51, 1/StG-77Ju 87
RK(7/27/44)

Deutsches Kreuz - Gold

EK 1 & 2
Dive Bomber Operational Clasp w/Pendant
R/O & Rear Gunner for Helmut Bruck. In May 1944, Hettinger did receive pilot training, but did not see action as a pilot. 800 missions. His one victory was a British fighter over the Channel. Deceased 6 June, 1946 in Wertheim/Main.
5 Pichler, Josef Helmut..Lt1/20/1917Bruck an der Mur, Austria
Cannock Chase
7/KG-55He 111P-2 Werk # 2801 "G1 + GR" (lost 5/17/41)Bomber Operational ClaspKilledInAction (KIA) with crew 17 May, 1941 after being sd by fighters off the southern coast of England. The ac crashed at Stump Barn, The Downs, Sompting, north of Worthing, Sussex. Remaining crew (KilledInAction (KIA), bur CC, Blk 8, Row 2): Fw Berthold Abraham (29/11/17 in Sommerfeld (CKönig); bur Gr 52), Ofw Kurt Seefeld (geb 4/29/1912, bur Gr 50) and Fw Lorenz Stöger (bur Gr 49). Pilot Lt Pichler buried CC/8/2/51 (LOCS, D.Drury & Luft Graves-UK).
(Added by Pietrzak Youngs)

Original crew grave in England, later re-interred at Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery, England
6 Van der Bruck, GüntherOblt1/20/1912Fluren6/StG-2 (S.U.)Ju 87D-1 Werk # 2174 "T6 + EP" (lost 4/10/42)Dive Bomber Operational ClaspKilledInAction (KIA) 10 April, 1942 at Makarjewskaja, cause unknown, no mention of R/O (Ju 87 Loss List). Added: Named Günter Herbert Wilhelm Franz den Bruck in the VDK. His remains have not been transferred to a military cemetery, but a grave is believed to exist at Makaryevskaya Pustyn. He is commemorated in the German War Cem at Sologubowka, Russia. His R/O, Fw Helmut Hermann Wilhelm Müller, declared dead, and rests as his does pilot (D.Drury).vanx

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