Allegiance Nazi Germany Name Wilhelm Bromen | Years of service 1941–45 Service/branch Luftwaffe | |
Rank Oberleutnant of the Reserves Battles/wars World War II
Operation Barbarossa
Battle of Kursk
Defense of the Reich Died October 1, 1990, Innsbruck, Austria Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars Operation Barbarossa, Battle of Kursk, Defence of the Reich, World War II Unit Sturzkampfgeschwader 2, Schlachtgeschwader 2 | ||
Wilhelm Bromen (26 August 1915 – 1 October 1990) was a highly decorated Oberleutnant of the Reserves in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
Bromen was born on 26 August 1915 in Dulmen, Westphalia . In the autumn of 1941 after flight training he was posted to II./StG. 2 "Immelmann". He flew his 500th mission in December 1942, and after his 600th was awarded the Knight's Cross in April 1943.
During his career he flew 965 missions and was also credited with the destruction of 76 tanks, 4 armoured trains, 12 supply trains and 7 aerial victories.
On 30 April 1945, Bromen was wounded when the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 he was flying was bounced and shot down by a Royal Air Force Spitfire XIV from 350 Squadron as he was attempting to land near Schwerin. During the same attack, Knight's Cross recipients Andreas Kuffner and Rainer Nossek were killed.