Hans-Joachim Brand

Hans-Joachim Brand (16 May 1916 – 18 April 1945) was a highly decorated Hauptmann and ground attack pilot in the Luftwaffe during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Hans-Joachim Brand was shot down by Soviet flak on 18 April 1945 near Cottbus while flying a ground-attack mission. His Focke Wulf Fw 190F was hit by anti-aircraft fire at a height of 1600 ft and he fatally crashed near Alteno/Luckau in the Spreewald. His body was never recovered. During his career he flew 964 missions and he had been nominated for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub), which was never approved.

Awards and decorations

 * Flugzeugführerabzeichen
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "900"
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (1 November 1939)
 * 1st Class (7 July 1940)
 * German Cross in Gold (13 January 1942)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 December 1943 as Oberleutnant and Staffelkapitän of the 1./Sturzkampfgeschwader 77