Kracker Luftwaffe Archive

The Kracker Luftwaffe Archive: Axis Powers Pilots and Crew

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V1.01 Data derived from many sources. Perfection is our goal: Corrections and Additions are encouraged and requested. Please Email us

35,000+ Entries in Database (as of October 2025): largest in the world
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In some cases you can see a pilot's extended record of victories in date order from our Luftwaffe Victories database
To see a list of German WW2 Aces consult German WW2 Aces Database
Click an image to expand. Click Luftwaffe Awards for explanations. Scroll to the right to see all the data.

Major enhancements and additions are being made to the Archive by Christian König and Dave Drury.

(1) Check spelling in 'Names in Database' link
(2) 3-character searches now supported
(3) Check Serial has no spaces eg NB456
(4) Check date format is YYYY-MM-DD include hyphens
(5) Check you have seen all pages, see bottom of table
(6) Squadrons use form '72Sqn' must include 'Sqn'
(7) Read Search Tips: Database section
(8) Scroll to right to see last column
(9) Try using a portion of searchword (Contains option) (10) If no luck, contact us via Helpdesk

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There is a rogue group of copyright infringers who have stolen a much earlier version of my data - from at least 10 years ago - and have the affrontery to publish that, along with using my name, on their poorly researched website. They claim this is the 'original' Kracker Archive, a ridiculous claim since my Archive has been in a state of continuous development for over 30 years and nobody - NOBODY - has the original. They have no right to use my name or my data and readers who come across this nonsense should do nothing to encourage theft of this nature. I am outraged by this blatant theft and misrepresentation of my lifetime's work. The ONLY person I have ever authorized to publish my data and use my name is Kelvin Youngs, who earned my trust and respect many years ago and is authorized by me to publish my work on whichever website he organizes, currently this being its present home at the highly respected Aircrew Remembered.

3-character Searches are now supported

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MAJOR SEARCH AND SORT ENHANCEMENTS: You can now search on Unit such as 3/SG-1, 5./JG 51. Note that some sources used to develop this Archive date back 3 decades and may not have been consistent: you should try various options. For example 5./JG 51 may have been encoded as 5/JG 51 or 5./JG-51. You can also search on aircraft types such as Me 109, P-47.

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You searched for: “Beerenbrock”

#	Pilot/Crew SORT (↓)	Rank	Born	Place	Score SORT (↓)	Photo	Units	Aircraft	Awards	***********Notes***********	Links	AuthorComments
1	Beerenbrock, Franz-Josef	Lt	4/9/1920	Datteln, Westfalen	117		12/JG-51 (6/41 Shatalovka S.U.), Stab/JG-51 (10/41), Stfkpt 10/JG-51 (42)	Bf 109F-2 "Black <1", Bf 109F-2 Werk # 6779, "White 12" (lost 11/9/42)	RK(10/6/41) EL(8/3/42) Deutsches Kreuz - Gold(6/17/42) EP(9/15/41) EK 1 & 2 Fighter Operational Clasp in Gold with pendant	POW 9 November, 1942 after taking hits in Wk# 6779 in his radiator, and making an emergency landing behind Soviet lines near Welish, Soviet Union. POW who survived early imprisonment in Russia! 400 combat missions. All victories in the East. His first known Soviet victories, two SB-2s on 24 June, 1941. Two DB-3s on 6 July, 1941. Another double victory, both DB-3s on 9 July, 1941. A triple victory on 2 December, 1941; two Pe-2s and an I-18. A MiG-3 SE of Schalsk on 26 March, 1942. A triple on 28 May, 1942; two MiG-1s and a U-2, while in Stab IV/JG-51. Four Il-2s on 1 August, 1942. Two LaGG-3s and a DB-3 in the Krestzsky area on 4 October, 1942. His last two victories, both MiG-3s on 8 November, 1942, just one day before becoming a POW. Another source says he scored three victories on 9 November, 1942. Released from captivity mid-December, 1949. Deceased 13 December, 2004. Added: newspaper article explanation on the 345th Knights Cross reception "“Despite being quite young himself, Unteroffizier Franz Beerenbrock has shot down 40 enemy aircraft whilst engaged in combat against both England and the Soviet Union. Such a result is a testament to both his incredible flying skills as well as his offensive spirit. Particularly praiseworthy was his conduct during an especially fierce aerial battle over a Soviet airfield, where he shot down 3 enemy fighters despite being outnumbered by the foe. He has also inflicted heavy losses on the enemy over the course of many boldly executed ground attack missions. (ToW)". 108th Oak Leaves award. Managed to shoot down 9 aircraft on 01/08/42. (CKönig) 345th Award.

Pilot/Crew
SORT (↓)

Rank

Born

Place

Score
SORT (↓)

Photo

Units

Aircraft

Awards

*************Notes*************

Links

AuthorComments

Beerenbrock, Franz-Josef

4/9/1920

Datteln, Westfalen

117

12/JG-51 (6/41 Shatalovka S.U.), Stab/JG-51 (10/41), Stfkpt 10/JG-51 (42)

Bf 109F-2 "Black <1", Bf 109F-2 Werk # 6779, "White 12" (lost 11/9/42)

RK(10/6/41)
EL(8/3/42)

Deutsches Kreuz - Gold(6/17/42)
EP(9/15/41)

EK 1 & 2

Fighter Operational Clasp in Gold with pendant

POW 9 November, 1942 after taking hits in Wk# 6779 in his radiator, and making an emergency landing behind Soviet lines near Welish, Soviet Union. POW who survived early imprisonment in Russia! 400 combat missions. All victories in the East. His first known Soviet victories, two SB-2s on 24 June, 1941. Two DB-3s on 6 July, 1941. Another double victory, both DB-3s on 9 July, 1941. A triple victory on 2 December, 1941; two Pe-2s and an I-18. A MiG-3 SE of Schalsk on 26 March, 1942. A triple on 28 May, 1942; two MiG-1s and a U-2, while in Stab IV/JG-51. Four Il-2s on 1 August, 1942. Two LaGG-3s and a DB-3 in the Krestzsky area on 4 October, 1942. His last two victories, both MiG-3s on 8 November, 1942, just one day before becoming a POW. Another source says he scored three victories on 9 November, 1942. Released from captivity mid-December, 1949. Deceased 13 December, 2004. Added: newspaper article explanation on the 345th Knights Cross reception "“Despite being quite young himself, Unteroffizier Franz Beerenbrock has shot down 40 enemy aircraft whilst engaged in combat against both England and the Soviet Union. Such a result is a testament to both his incredible flying skills as well as his offensive spirit. Particularly praiseworthy was his conduct during an especially fierce aerial battle over a Soviet airfield, where he shot down 3 enemy fighters despite being outnumbered by the foe. He has also inflicted heavy losses on the enemy over the course of many boldly executed ground attack missions. (ToW)". 108th Oak Leaves award. Managed to shoot down 9 aircraft on 01/08/42. (CKönig) 345th Award.

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