Question about Fw. Walter (Paul) Bracke (Brake) 8./JG51

[Joe Potter]

The VDK have him listed as Helmut BRUNKE; without umlaut, born 12.09.1919 Eutin, lost 13.03.1943, Südt Orel.
Joe

[Johannes]

Hi Guys

I checked the micro films again. I still believe claims for 24th were Brunke, however it was there was no umlaut. Another thing is that at this exact time Brunke goes from being a Uffz to Fw......just to confuse matters.

Regards

Johannes

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Joe and thanks Johannes

Let's drop the umlaut then.

Cheers
Stig

[Johannes]

Hi Guys

Checked through the JG51 book which states that Bracke had two claims with JG51 and Brunke nine.....which is more than a little incorrect. However it does state that Brunke was an Uffz at death and not Fw.....this would make the last three of Brunke's claims(by Foreman/Mathews) Bracke's i.e:-

24th February 1943 Il-2 x 2 0635 hrs and 0637 hrs and 12th March 1943 Pe-2 0935 hrs !

Whereas I myself believe them to be Brunke and similarity in names is so close, can't be 100% sure. I do have the 1943 micro films losses, but they are quite chaotic, but I will try to find Brunke's rank at death!

Regards

Johannes

[Matti Salonen]

NVM gives Brunke's rank Uffz on 13 March 1943.

Matti

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Johannes and Matti

My apologies Johannes if I have forced you to focus on something not on your agenda at the present. Very interesting never-the-less

Thanks again
Stig

[Johannes]

Hi Guys

Looked at the problem with the similar names again because of the discrepancy with ranks. In my opinion the guy who claimed on the 23rd February was the same guys who claimed on the 24th February it's Bracke. Bruhnke is spelt with an umlaut though on the micro films it's written as "u' " not as ü. But Brünke did make the last claim as an Unteroffizier on 12th March 1943.

Thanks for the questioning. I will update books in any subsequent editions.

Kind Regards

Johannes

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Johannes

Very nice of you to make this commitment!
However I am not 100% sure I follow you, and don't want something to become wrong again. If we concentrate on the two crucial days, 23rd and 24th Feb 1943, we have the following previous scenario (I quote both you and Prien)

Mathews/Foreman
23.2 Uffz Brünke Il-2 07.50H
23.2 Uffz Brünke Pe-2 10.25H
23.2 Fw Bracke Il-2 10.15H
23.2 Fw Bracke Il-2 10.20H
24.2 Uffz Brünke Il-2 06.35H
24.2 Uffz Brünke Il-2 06.37H
Prien
23.2 Uffz Brünke Il-2 07.50H
23.2 Uffz Brünke Pe-2 10.25H
23.2 Fw Bracke Il-2 10.15H
23.2 Fw Bracke Il-2 10.20H
24.2 Fw Bracke Il-2 06.35H
24.2 Fw Bracke Il-2 06.37H

Am I correct that you now also want to change one of the victories on the 23rd to Fw Bracke? This may not be your intentions and I am simply not understanding you well enough.
But for the sake of completeness, I then assume you want to change the Pe-2 from Brünke to Bracke? If yes we would then have a final scenario as follows

23.2 Uffz Brünke Il-2 07.50H
23.2 Fw Bracke Pe-2 10.25H
23.2 Fw Bracke Il-2 10.15H
23.2 Fw Bracke Il-2 10.20H
24.2 Fw Bracke Il-2 06.35H
24.2 Fw Bracke Il-2 06.37H

Is that correct or not?

With regard to the score on 12.3 both you and Prien have the same man
Fw Helmut Brünke. However there then is a problem with rank. I know you now say the score on the 12th was by UFFZ Brünke, so can you confirm the list/document really states that rank and not Fw, since then I would say there is a slight problem remaining....

I also find it interesting with how the umlaut was written. To me it is an indication the typewriter used was not of German origin....

B Rgds
Stig

[Johannes]

Hi Stig

Yes, those previously attributed(wrongly) by myself to Brühnke on 24th February 1943 should read Bracke, thus increasing his score to fourteen confirmed in the East. Basically I am agreeing with Prien/Boch. Obviously Brünke's score decreases by two.

If you find any other differences between Prien/Boch and myself please don't be shy. I'll check through them.

I found the most unreadable timeline for the daily micro films is April 1943 in the East, but last year had my films professionally cleaned up, if you wanted a copy drop me a private message.

Kind Regards

Johannes

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Johannes

That settles it! Book corrected.
Also I appreciate you took the time to dig into the problem the way you did.
VERY professional and a good tribute to yourself!

Certainly an attitude to be promoted and appreciated by all of us.

Thanks again
Cheers
Stig