Erich Brunotte,33 air victories

[Edward L. Hsiao]

Gentlemen,

Erich Brunotte had scored 33 air to air victories while flying the Bf-109 and Fw-190. I need information on the life of this German Luftwaffe ace. What was his military career looked like during WWII? What awards he won during WWII? What did he do after WWII? I watched him on video flying a restored Bf-109 when Brunotte was 97 years of age!
Edward L. Hsiao

[Leo Etgen]

Hello Edward

It seems like there is not all that much on that fellow and the best that I can find on him is what Neil Page published at the following link. I have only seen one of his victories which happened on 24 October 1944 when Gefreiter Erich Brunotte of 13./JG 51 claimed an Il-2 m.H. at 12:23 at Pl.Qu. 13 342 at 500 meters as his first victory according to Prien. Of course, this is when the claims lists basically begin to end so his total is somewhat in doubt. Hopefully others can add to this.

Horrido!

Leo

[Johannes]

Hi Guys

I can clear up the thirty-three claims of Brunotte. There were exactly three. The first is very clear on the mikrofilms 24.10.1944 1120 hrs Jak-9 at 300 metres with 13./JG 51(I have checked Prien must be in error, possibly another EXCEL mis-sort). The ace Elmar Arensmeyer bless him had a habit of mentioning other pilots claims and numbering them i.e a lot for Heinz Marquardt, possibly because he was a witness, anyway on 24.04.1945 he records Brunotte's claim for a Il-2 as that pilots third.

Brunotte 02.06.1923-19.01.2023 flew also for JGr.Nord and NaG102 earlier, possibly he completed his training with JGR.Nord.

Basically there is no evidence Brunnotte got thirty-three claims, and evidence with Arenmeyer that he didn't, possibly he flew thirty-three combat sorties? So three claims should be regarded as FACT.

Kind Regards

Johannes