Herbert Bachnick

Herbert Bachnick was a World War II Flying ace in the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) credited with 80 aerial victories—that is, 80 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft, all but one over the Eastern Front. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Career

Bachnick was born on 9 February 1920 in Mannheim, and was posted to 9 staffel Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52–52nd Fighter Wing) in December 1942 serving on the Eastern Front. He claimed his first three aerial victories on 5 July 1943 and had by August claimed 14 victories. By late September his victory total was 31, and by the end of had 47 victories credited. On 7 January 1944 he claimed five Il-2 Sturmovik aircraft shot down. He claimed 27 victories in March.

In April 1944, Unteroffizier Bachnick was transferred to 2./JGr Ost as an instructor. He was promoted to Leutnant in May. Bachnick was wounded in combat with United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) bombers and fighters on 7 July force landing his Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 near Moran. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 27 July for 79 victories.

Bachnick returned to 9./JG 52 following three months as an instructor. On 7 August 1944 he engaged a USAAF formation and shot down a P-51 Mustang. However, his Bf 109 G-6 "Yellow 4" was damaged in the encounter. Bachnick attempted a forced landing but crashed and was killed near Myslowitz.

Herbert Bachnick was credited with 80 victories, with 79 victories over the Eastern Front, including 41 Il-2 Sturmoviks.

Awards

• Pilots Badge
• Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Fighter Pilots in Gold (31 July 1943)
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (6 August 1943)
  • 1st Class (7 September 1943)
• Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (13 December 1943)
• German Cross in Gold on 5 February 1944 as Feldwebel in the 9./JG 52
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 27 July 1944 as Fahnenjunker-Feldwebel and pilot in the 9./JG 52