Joachim Brendel
German World War II fighter pilot
Died when: 53 years 71 days (638 months)Star Sign: Taurus
Joachim Brendel (27 April 1921 – 7 July 1974) was a Luftwaffe flying ace of World War II.Brendel was credited with 189 aerial victories—that is, 189 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft.
All but six of his victories were claimed over the Soviet Air Forces on the Eastern Front in more than 950 combat missions, including 162 ground support missions.
Born in Ulrichshalben, Brendel joined the military service in the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany in 1939.Following flight training, he was posted to 2.
Staffel (squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing).He flew his first combat missions in Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, and claimed his first aerial victory on 29 June 1941.
There, after 101 aerial victories, he was presented with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 22 November 1943.In July 1944, he was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of the III.
Gruppe (3rd group) of JG 51 "Mölders".Following his 153rd aerial victory, Brendel was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 14 January 1945.
He continued flying operationally until the end of World War II.He died on 7 July 1974 in Cologne, West Germany.
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German World War II fighter pilot
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