Wilhelm Bromen

Wilhelm Bromen (26 August 1915 – 1 October 1990) was a highly decorated Oberleutnant der Reserve in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Bromen was born on 26 August 1915 in Dülmen, Westphalia. In the autumn of 1941 after flight training he was posted to II./StG. 2 "Immelmann". He flew his 500th mission in December 1942, and after his 600th was awarded the Knight's Cross in April 1943.

During his career he flew 965 missions and was also credited with the destruction of 76 tanks, 4 armoured trains, 12 supply trains and 7 aerial victories.

On 30 April 1945, Bromen was wounded when the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 he was flying was bounced and shot down by a Royal Air Force Spitfire XIV from 350 Squadron as he was attempting to land near Schwerin. During the same attack, Knight's Cross recipients Andreas Kuffner and Rainer Nossek were killed.

Awards and decorations

 * Aviator badge
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold with Pennant "900"
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (13 September 1942)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * German Cross in Gold (17 November 1942)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 16 April 1943 as Leutnant der Reserve and pilot and z.b.V. Offizier in the 4./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"