Hugo Broch (born 6 January 1922) is a German Luftwaffe ace during the Second World War who is credited with 81 victories in 324 missions, all on the Eastern Front.
He is a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, and is one of two living recipients of the award.
The other recipient is a former Heer officer, Heinz Rafoth.
Broch is a World War II Luftwaffe pilot.
1943
In January 1943 he arrived on the Eastern Front to serve in World War II.
1954
Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing), and claimed his first victory two months later.
Following World War II, Broch became an employee with Agfa in Leverkusen.
He was a prolific autograph signer, and signed many memorabilia items.
At age 95 he fulfilled a long held ambition to fly in a Spitfire, the two seat Tr.9 MJ627.
On 6 January 2022, he turned 100.
Broch was credited with 81 aerial victories claimed in 324 combat missions.
All of his victories were recorded over the Eastern Front.
Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces – Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 81 aerial victory claims, all of which claimed on the Eastern Front.
Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 35 Ost 35371".
The Luftwaffe grid map (Jägermeldenetz) covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15 minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude, an area of about 360 sqmi.
These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 x in size.
