The signatories
Oberst Erich Hartmann
Erich Hartmann started his career as Paule Rossman's wingman.
Promoted to Staffelkapitan of 7./JG52 in July 1943, he was shot
down and taken prisoner, but escaped four hours later. In September
he took command of 9./JG52.He later led 4./JG52, then briefly
I./JG53, and finally Gruppenkommandeur of I./JG52.
Erich Hartmann scored a total of 352 confirmed victories, making
him the highest scoring fighter Ace ever. He was awarded the
Knights Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. |
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Generalleutnant Günther
Rall
Günther Rall was a young pilot with III./JG52 at the
outbreak of war, and quickly demonstrated his natural ability
and leadership qualities. He scored his first victory early in
the Battle of France, and by July 1940 was leading 8./JG52. After
transferring to the Eastern Front his victories soon mounted
but he was hospitalized following a crash. Returning to combat
as Kommandeur of III./JG52, he gained the Wing's 500th victory,
before being posted Kommandeur of II./JG11 on the Western Front,
flying high altitude intercepts in Me109Gs. He was later Kommandeur
of JG300, and finished the war as the 3rd highest Ace in history
with 275 victories.
He was awarded the Knight ’s Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. |
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Leutnant Hugo Broch
Vital to all fighter units are the pilots who make such superb
wingmen that their their leaders are loath to part with them.
Hugo Broch was one such pilot. Having joined JG54 in January
1943 he flew first with Horst Adameit (166 victories) and later
with 'Bazi' Sterr (130 victories), but soon demonstrated his
own skill in combat. By the end of 1944 he had attained a score
of 71 victories. One of JG54's great Fw190 Aces, Hugo Broch saw
combat on the Eastern and Baltic fronts, and completed the war
having flown 324 combat missions, claiming 81 victories. He was
awarded the Knights Cross. |
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Oberleutnant Walter Wolfrum
Born May 23 1923 in Schmölz. Walter Wolfrum first saw combat in the
Crimea with 5./JG52. He was shot down three times, and wounded
twice before scoring his first victory. With his score at 70,
he was again wounded, but returned to take command of I./JG52
in May 1944. He was again wounded but returned to his command
for the remainder of the war. He flew 424 missions and achieved
137 victories. He was awarded the Knights Cross. |