Heinz Bretnütz

Heinz "Pietzsch" Bretnütz (24 January 1914 – 27 June 1941) was a German Luftwaffe 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 recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Career
On 1 July 1937 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. From 1938 to 1939, he flew in the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War. He scored his first two victories there, and was awarded the Spanish Cross and the Cruz de Guerra. On 25 September 1939 he achieved his first victory of the Second World War when he shot down a French Curtiss P-36 Hawk over Bienwald, Germany. He was appointed Staffelkapitän of 6./JG 53 in June 1940. During the Battle of Britain, he was one of the most successful Luftwaffe fighter pilots. On 10 October 1940, Bretnütz was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 53. On 20 October he shot down a Hawker Hurricane to reach his 20th victory. He claimed his 30th victory of World War II on 3 May 1941.

Bretnütz led II./JG 53 during the invasion of Russia. On 22 June 1941, the first day of the invasion, he shot down a Russian SB-2 twin-engine bomber but his Bf 109 F-2 was hit by return fire, damaging the aircraft and injuring the pilot. A round had entered his left knee and became lodged in his thigh. Bretnütz made an emergency landing between Erzvilkas and Nemaksciai behind enemy lines and was able to get out of the aircraft. He was found by Russian farmers, who hid him from Russian soldiers. Four days later they were able to get him to advancing German troops who took him to a forward medical facility. The leg wound had become gangrenous. Hospitalised, he had his left leg amputated but died the following day, on 27 June.

"Pietzsch" Bretnütz was credited with 35 victories in 244 missions, the first two of which were during the Spanish Civil War. Bretnütz is also credited with destroying 12 barrage balloons over England.

Awards

 * Spanienkreuz in Gold mit Schwertern
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class
 * 1st Class
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 21 October 1940 as Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of II./Jagdgeschwader 53