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Bruno Stolle

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Bruno Stolle
Born13 April 1915
Münster
Died22 January 2004(2004-01-22) (aged 88)
Rheinbach
Allegiance Nazi Germany
 West Germany
Service / branch Luftwaffe
 German Air Force
Years of service1935–1945
1956–1972
RankHauptmann (Wehrmacht)
Oberstleutnant (Bundeswehr)
UnitLG 1, JG 51, JG 2, JG 11, EKdo Ta 152
CommandsIII./JG 2, I./JG 11
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Bruno Stolle (13 April 1915 – 22 January 2004) was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Stolle was credited with 35 aerial victories in 271 combat missions. Following World War II, he served in the German Air Force.

Early life and career

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Stolle was born on 13 April 1915 in Münster, a province of the Kingdom of Prussia within the German Empire.[1] Following graduation from school, he volunteered for service in the Luftwaffe in 1935. After completion of flight training,[Note 1] Stolle was posted to Lehrgeschwader 1 (LG 1—1st Demonstration Wing) in November 1936.[3] On 1 November 1938, LG 1 was restructured. The I. (leichte Jagd) Gruppe, the light fighter group, was detached from LG 1 while II. (schwere Jagd) Gruppe, the heavy fighter group, became the new I. (schwere Jagd) Gruppe of LG 1 and was based at Barth.[4] Until the outbreak of World War II, Stolle served with I. (schwere Jagd) Gruppe as a blind flying instructor.[5]

World War II

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World War II in Europe had begun on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland. Stolle was then posted to 3. Staffel (3rd squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing) and on 15 March 1940 to 8. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing).[5] III. Gruppe of JG 2 to which his Staffel was subordinated had just been formed from elements of JG 51 in Magdeburg and placed under the command of Major Erich Mix. The Gruppe was equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1 and E-3. On 10 April, in preparation for the Battle of France, the Gruppe moved to Frankfurt-Rebstock Airfield.[6]

Squadron leader

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Follwing the Battle of France, III. Gruppe of JG 2 returned to Frankfurt-Rebstock Airfield for a period of rest and maintenance. The Gruppe returned to France in late July 1940, arriving at an airfield at Octeville-sur-Mer near Le Havre on 4 August to fight against the Royal Air Force (RAF).[7] Here on 11 August during the Battle of Britain, Stolle claimed his first aerial victories, two Supermarine Spitfire fighters near the Isle of Portland.[8] On 7 September, Stolle was appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 8. Staffel of JG 2. He succeeded Oberleutnant Karl-Heinz Metz who made an emergency landing near Detling the day before and was taken prisoner of war.[9]

Stolle claimed a Handley Page Hampden bomber during Operation Donnerkeil on 12 February 1942. The objective of this operation was to give the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen fighter protection in the breakout from Brest to Germany. The Channel Dash operation (11–13 February 1942) by the Kriegsmarine was codenamed Operation Cerberus by the Germans. In support of this, the Luftwaffe, formulated an air superiority plan dubbed Operation Donnerkeil for the protection of the three German capital ships.[10] Stolle was promoted to Hauptmann (captain) on 1 April 1942.[5] In May, III. Gruppe of JG 2 converted from the Bf 109 F to the radial engine powered Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A.[11] In August Upon request by Fliegerführer Atlantik (Flyer Command Atlantic), Stolle's 8. Staffel escorted Arado Ar 196 observation seaplanes patrolling over the Bay of Biscay in search for Allied shipping. The slow flying Ar 196 planes had become easy targets for long range RAF Bristol Beaufighters.[12] Flying these missions, Stolle clamed five Beaufighters shot down, one each on 8 September, 26 November and 1 December, and two on 18 December.[13] On 21 October, Stolle claimed his first United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) heavy bomber, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bomber attacking Lorient, his 23rd aerial victory in total.[14] This earned him the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) on 29 October.[15]

On 29 December, Stolle led a Rotte, a flight of two aircraft, on a fighter bomber mission against Eastbourne. The attack destroyed two houses, extensively damaging three other houses and killed two civilians and wounded further 33 people. On his return, Stolle intercepted two Spitfires from No. 91 Squadron and shot down Pilot Officer Irvin Downer who was killed in action.[16] On 17 March 1943, Stolle was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). He was the only member of JG 2 who received this distinction in 1943.[17]

Group commander, instructor and testing the Ta 152

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On 25 June 1943, Stolle was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of III. Gruppe of JG 2. He succeeded Hauptmann Egon Mayer in this capacity who was given command of JG 2 as Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander). In consequence, command of 8. Staffel was passed on to Hauptmann Herbert Huppertz.[18] On 30 December, Stolle claimed his 35th and last aerial victory. That day, the USAAF VIII Bomber Command had attacked Ludwigshafen. Leading the attack of III. Gruppe against the returning bombers, Stolle claimed a B-17 bomber shot down.[19] In February 1944, Stolle was transferred to the Schießschule der Luftwaffe at Værløse Airfield, an aerial gunnery school for fighter pilots, as an instructor. As a result, Huppertz was given command of III. Gruppe.[20]

In October 1944, Stolle was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 11 (JG 11—11th Fighter Wing) where he replaced Hauptmann Walter Matoni as commander of I. Gruppe.[21] On 25 November, Stolle was transferred again to take command of the Erprobungskommando Ta 152 (EKdo Ta 152—Testing Command Ta 152), testing the Focke-Wulf Ta 152 fighter under operational conditions at Rechlin, the Luftwaffe's main testing ground for new aircraft designs.[22] Command of I. Gruppe of JG 11 was handed to Hauptmann Rudiger Kirchmayr.[21] On 23 January 1945, ordered EKdo Ta 152 to be redesignated and became the Stabsstaffel (headquarters squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 301 (JG 301—301st Fighter Wing). The Stabsstaffel however was not operationally subordinated to JG 301 and remained independent.[23]

Later life and career

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Following World War II, Stolle initially worked for the Belgian airline Sabena as a member of the ground personnel. In 1956, he joined the newly created German Air Force, at the time referred to as the Bundesluftwaffe. Stolle served with the Flugzeugführerschule "B" (FFS B—Pilot Training School "B") at Fürstenfeldbruck Air Base, the Military Counterintelligence Service, as a liaison officer in Lisbon, and lastly with the Federal Ministry of Defence in Bonn. He retired on 31 March 1972 holding the rank of Oberstleutnant (lieutenant colonel).[5] Stolle died on 22 January 2004 at the age of 88 in Rheinbach, Germany.[15]

Summary of career

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Aerial victory claims

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According to Schumann, Stolle was credited with 35 aerial victories claimed in 271 combat missions.[24] Obermaier also list him with 35 aerial victories, including five heavy bombers, claimed in 271 combat missions.[1] Mathews and Foreman, authors of Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims, researched the German Federal Archives and found records for 28 aerial victory claims, plus six further unconfirmed claims. All of his victories were claimed on the Western Front and include three four-engined heavy bombers.[25]

Victory claims were logged to a map-reference (PQ = Planquadrat), for example "PQ 14 West 8954". The Luftwaffe grid map (Jägermeldenetz) covered all of Europe, western Russia and North Africa and was composed of rectangles measuring 15 minutes of latitude by 30 minutes of longitude, an area of about 360 square miles (930 km2). These sectors were then subdivided into 36 smaller units to give a location area 3 km × 4 km (1.9 mi × 2.5 mi) in size.[26]

Chronicle of aerial victories
  This along with the * (asterisk) indicates an Herausschuss (separation shot)—a severely damaged heavy bomber forced to separate from his combat box which was counted as an aerial victory.
  This and the ? (question mark) indicates information discrepancies listed by Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock, Mathews and Foreman.
Claim Date Time Type Location Claim Date Time Type Location
– 8. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" –[27]
At the Channel and over England — 26 June 1940 – 21 June 1941
1 11 August 1940 11:45 Spitfire Portland[28] 3 26 September 1940 17:42 Spitfire 25 km (16 mi) southwest of the Isle of Wight[29]
2 11 August 1940 11:49 Spitfire Portland[28]
– 8. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" –[25]
On the Western Front — 22 June 1941 – 31 December 1941
4 2 July 1941 12:35 Spitfire west of Armentières[30] 10 16 August 1941 13:47 Spitfire[31] east of Boulogne-sur-Mer
5?[Note 2] 5 July 1941 13:30 Blenheim[30] 11 17 September 1941 16:03 Spitfire[32]
6 23 July 1941 20:37?[Note 3] Spitfire[31] vicinity of Marzingarbe 12 21 October 1941 13:02 Spitfire[33]
7 14 August 1941 18:30 Spitfire Gravelines[31]
Bury St Edmunds-Gravelines 		13 24 November 1941 16:49 Spitfire[34]
8 14 August 1941 18:33 Spitfire[31] Gravelines 14 5 December 1941 16:37?[Note 4] Spitfire[34]
9 16 August 1941 13:45 Spitfire east of Boulogne-sur-Mer[31] 15 5 December 1941 16:45?[Note 5] Spitfire[34]
– 8. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" –[35]
On the Western Front — 1 January – 31 December 1942
16?[Note 2] 12 February 1942 15:50 Hampden[36] off Holland 24 7 November 1942 17:12?[Note 6] B-24 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Landerneau[37]
17?[Note 2] 10 June 1942 14:14 Spitfire[38] 25 26 November 1942 14:45 Beaufighter 135 km (84 mi) west of Brest[37]
18?[Note 2] 25 June 1942 18:10 Spitfire[38] off Ushant 26 1 December 1942 09:48 Beaufighter PQ 14 West 8954[37]
19?[Note 7] 18 August 1942 11:08 Wellington[38] 27 18 December 1942 15:36 Beaufighter PQ 14 West 8951[37]
20?[Note 2] 8 September 1942 09:12 Beaufighter[38] 28 18 December 1942 15:39 Beaufighter PQ 14 West 8963[37]
21 21 September 1942 20:05 Whitley northwest of Quimper[37] 29 20 December 1942 10:32 Boston PQ 14 West 8962[37]
22 26 September 1942?[Note 8] 18:46 Spitfire north of Landerneau[37] 30 20 December 1942 10:36 Boston PQ 14 West 8959[37]
23 21 October 1942 14:00 B-17 PQ 14 West 6826[37] 31 29 December 1942?[Note 9] 14:35 Spitfire PQ 14 West 6953[37]
PQ 14 West 4075
– 8. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen" –[39]
On the Western Front — 1 January – 25 June 1943
32 26 February 1943 17:25 B-24?[Note 10] PQ 15 West 6054[40] 34 29 May 1943 16:27 B-17* PQ 14 West 2987[41]
PQ 14 West 2937
33 5 April 1943 17:45 Ventura Ploudalmézeau[40]
PQ 14 West 5939 		35 30 December 1943 12:41 B-17[42]

Awards

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Notes

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  1. ^ Flight training in the Luftwaffe progressed through the levels A1, A2 and B1, B2, referred to as A/B flight training. A training included theoretical and practical training in aerobatics, navigation, long-distance flights and dead-stick landings. The B courses included high-altitude flights, instrument flights, night landings and training to handle the aircraft in difficult situations.[2]
  2. ^ a b c d e According to Mathews and Foreman this claim is unconfirmed.[25]
  3. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 20:35.[27]
  4. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:37.[35]
  5. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 13:45.[35]
  6. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed at 17:02.[35]
  7. ^ This claim s not listed by Mathews and Foreman.[35]
  8. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed on 27 September 1942.[35]
  9. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed on 29 January 1943.[35]
  10. ^ According to Mathews and Foreman claimed as a Consolidated PBY Catalina.[35]
  11. ^ According to Schumann on 12 September 1941.[5]

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ a b Obermaier 1989, p. 211.
  2. ^ Bergström, Antipov & Sundin 2003, p. 17.
  3. ^ Dixon 2023, p. 12.
  4. ^ Taghon 2004, p. 23.
  5. ^ a b c d e Schumann 2007, p. 183.
  6. ^ Prien et al. 2001, pp. 86–87.
  7. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 131.
  8. ^ Weal 2000, p. 48.
  9. ^ Prien et al. 2002, pp. 143, 153.
  10. ^ Weal 2000, pp. 82–83.
  11. ^ Prien et al. 2004, p. 268.
  12. ^ Paterson 2020, pp. 7–8, 19.
  13. ^ Prien et al. 2004, pp. 289, 291.
  14. ^ Prien et al. 2004, pp. 277, 291.
  15. ^ a b Dixon 2023, p. 13.
  16. ^ Goss, Cornwell & Rauchbach 2010, pp. 158–159.
  17. ^ Weal 2000, p. 98.
  18. ^ Prien et al. 2010, p. 496.
  19. ^ Prien et al. 2010, pp. 495, 503.
  20. ^ Prien, Stemmer & Bock 2018, p. 226.
  21. ^ a b Prien, Stemmer & Bock 2018, p. 47.
  22. ^ Weal 1996, p. 86.
  23. ^ Reschke1998, pp. 189–190.
  24. ^ Schumann 2007, p. 184.
  25. ^ a b c Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 1273–1274.
  26. ^ Planquadrat.
  27. ^ a b Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1273.
  28. ^ a b Prien et al. 2002, p. 149.
  29. ^ Prien et al. 2002, p. 150.
  30. ^ a b Prien et al. 2003, p. 460.
  31. ^ a b c d e Prien et al. 2003, p. 462.
  32. ^ Prien et al. 2003, p. 463.
  33. ^ Prien et al. 2003, p. 464.
  34. ^ a b c Prien et al. 2003, p. 465.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h Mathews & Foreman 2015, p. 1274.
  36. ^ Prien et al. 2004, p. 287.
  37. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Prien et al. 2004, p. 291.
  38. ^ a b c d Prien et al. 2004, p. 289.
  39. ^ Mathews & Foreman 2015, pp. 822–823.
  40. ^ a b Prien et al. 2010, p. 500.
  41. ^ Prien et al. 2010, p. 501.
  42. ^ Prien et al. 2010, p. 503.
  43. ^ Dixon 2023, pp. 12–13.
  44. ^ Patzwall 2008, p. 200.
  45. ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 462.
  46. ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 413.
  47. ^ Scherzer 2007, p. 727.

Bibliography

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  • Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]; Antipov, Vlad; Sundin, Claes (2003). Graf & Grislawski – A Pair of Aces. Hamilton MT: Eagle Editions. ISBN 978-0-9721060-4-7.
  • Bergström, Christer [in Swedish]. "Bergström Black Cross/Red Star website". Identifying a Luftwaffe Planquadrat. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  • Dixon, Jeremy (2023). Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe: Knight's Cross Holders 1939–1942. Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-52677-864-2.
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer [in German] (2000) [1986]. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
  • Goss, Chris; Cornwell, Peter; Rauchbach, Bernd (2010). Luftwaffe Fighter-Bombers Over Britain: The Tip and Run Campaign, 1942–43. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-0691-9.
  • Mathews, Andrew Johannes; Foreman, John (2015). Luftwaffe Aces — Biographies and Victory Claims — Volume 4 S–Z. Walton on Thames: Red Kite. ISBN 978-1-906592-21-9.
  • Obermaier, Ernst (1989). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger 1939 – 1945 [The Knight's Cross Bearers of the Luftwaffe Fighter Force 1939 – 1945] (in German). Mainz, Germany: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann. ISBN 978-3-87341-065-7.
  • Paterson, Lawrence (2020). Eagles over the Sea, 1943–45: A History of Luftwaffe Maritime Operations. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-5267-7765-2.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
  • Patzwall, Klaus D. (2008). Der Ehrenpokal für besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg [The Honor Goblet for Outstanding Achievement in the Air War] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-08-3.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2001). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 2—Der "Sitzkrieg"—1.9.1939 bis 9.5.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 2—The "Phoney War"—1 September 1939 to 9 May 1940] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-59-5.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2002). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 4/I—Einsatz am Kanal und über England—26.6.1940 bis 21.6.1941 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 4/I—Action at the Channel and over England—26 June 1940 to 21 June 1941] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-63-2.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2003). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 5—Heimatverteidigung—10. Mai 1940 bis 31 Dezember 1941—Einsatz im Mittelmeerraum—Oktober 1940 bis November 1941—Einsatz im Westen—22. Juni bis 31. Dezember 1941—Die Ergänzungsjagdgruppen—Einsatz 1941 bis zur Auflösung Anfang 1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 5—Defense of the Reich—10 May 1940 to 31 December 1941—Action in the Mediterranean Theater—October 1940 to November 1941—Action in the West—22 June to 31 December 1941—The Supplementary Fighter Groups—Action from 1941 until their Breakup in Early 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-68-7.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2004). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 7—Heimatverteidigung—1. January bis 31 Dezember 1942—Einsatz im Westen—1. Januar bis 31. Dezember 1942 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 7—Defense of the Reich—1 January to 31 December 1942—Action in the West—1 January to 31 December 1942] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-73-1.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Rodeike, Peter; Bock, Winfried (2010). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 10/IV—Einsatz im Westen—1.1. bis 31.12.1943 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 10/IV—Action in the West—1 January to 31 December 1943] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-923457-92-2.
  • Prien, Jochen; Stemmer, Gerhard; Bock, Winfried (2018). Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945—Teil 13/IV—Einsatz im Reichsverteidigung und im Westen—1.1. bis 31.12.1944 [The Fighter Units of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945—Part 13/IV—Action in the Defense of the Reich and in the West—1 January to 31 December 1944] (in German). Eutin, Germany: Struve-Druck. ISBN 978-3-942943-19-2.
  • Reschke, Willi (1998). Jagdgeschwader 301/302 "Wilde Sau" (in German). Stuttgart, Germany: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 978-3-613-01898-3.
  • Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
  • Schumann, Ralf (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 des LG 1 [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 of LG 1] (in German). Zweibrücken, Germany: VDM Heinz Nickel. ISBN 978-3-86619-013-9.
  • Taghon, Peter (2004). Die Geschichte des Lehrgeschwaders 1—Band 1—1936 – 1942 [The History of Lehrgeschwader 1—Volume 1—1936 – 1942] (in German). Zweibrücken, Germany: VDM Heinz Nickel. ISBN 978-3-925480-85-0.
  • Weal, John (1996). Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Aces of the Western Front. Aircraft of the Aces. Vol. 9. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-595-1.
  • Weal, John (2000). Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen". Aviation Elite Units. Vol. 1. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-046-9.
Military offices
Preceded by
Hauptmann Egon Mayer
 Commander of III./Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen"
1 July 1943 – February 1944 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Hauptmann Walter Matoni
 Commander of I./Jagdgeschwader 11
October 1944 – 25 November 1944 		Succeeded by
Hauptmann Rüdiger Kirchmayr
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