Dietrich Hrabak

Dietrich "Dieter" Hrabak (19 December 1914 – 15 September 1995) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and wing commander during World War II.

Following the war, he became a Generalmajor (major general) in the German Air Force of West Germany.

As a fighter ace, he claimed 125 enemy aircraft shot down in over 1000 combat missions.

The majority of his aerial victories were claimed over the Eastern Front with 16 claims over the Western Allies.

Born in Großdeuben, Hrabak grew up in the German Empire and the Weimar Republic.

Hrabak was born on 19 December 1914 in Großdeuben, part of Böhlen, in the Kingdom of Saxony, a federated state of the German Empire, the son of a real estate developer.

Following his graduation from the Königin-Carola-Gymnasium, a secondary school, he volunteered for military service.

Following graduation from school, he volunteered for military service in the Reichsmarine in 1934.

On 8 April 1934, Hrabak joined the Reichsmarine, the German navy of the Weimar Republic and in November 1935 transferred to the newly emerging Luftwaffe (German air force) as an Oberfähnrich (officer candidate).

In November 1935, he transferred to the Luftwaffe.

Following flight training, he was posted to a Jagdgeschwader (fighter wing).

On 1 April 1936, Hrabak was promoted to Leutnant (second lieutenant).

Following the Anschluss, Austria's annexation into Nazi Germany on 12 March 1938, Hrabak was posted to I. Gruppe (1st group) of Jagdgeschwader 138 (JG 138—138th Fighter Wing) stationed in Wien-Aspern also referred to as the "Wiener-Jagdgruppe" ("Vienna fighter group").

There, he was promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) on 1 January 1939 and was made Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of 1.

On 1 May 1939, his unit I./JG 138 was re-designated I./Jagdgeschwader 76 (I./JG 76—1st group of the 76th Fighter Wing).

World War II in Europe began on Friday 1 September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland.

In preparation of the invasion, I. Gruppe of JG 76 had been moved to an airfield at Stubendorf, present-day Izbicko in Poland, in mid-August 1939 and supported the German advance on the central and southern sectors of the front.

On 3 September, Hrabak made a forced landing behind enemy lines following combat with PZL.23 light bombers and returned to his unit the next day.

On 14 September, I. Gruppe was withdrawn from combat operations and returned to its home airfield at Wien-Aspern where it arrived on 26 September.

On 26 October, the Gruppenstab and 1.

Staffel were ordered to Frankfurt Rhein-Main where it was united again with 2.

and 3.

Staffel on 2 November.

From Frankfurt Rhein-Main, the Gruppe flew fighter protection during the "Phoney War" for the Frankfurt, Rhine and Saar region.

In 1939, Hrabak was made a Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) and with Jagdgeschwader 76 (JG 76—76th Fighter Wing) participated in the Invasion of Poland and Battle of France and claimed his first aerial victory on 13 May 1940.

In July 1940, JG 76 was integrated into Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54—54th Fighter Wing).

During the Battle of Britain, Hrabak was made a Gruppenkommandeur in JG 54 and awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross in October 1940.

In April 1940, I. Gruppe moved to an airfield at Mainz-Finthen, originally named Fliegerhorst Ober-Olm.

The Gruppe stayed at Ober-Olm until the Battle of France began.

On 13 May 1940, he claimed his first victory, and he claimed five more victories before the Armistice of 22 June 1940.

In 1941, he participated in Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union.

In November 1942, Hrabak left JG 54 and was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander) of Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing).

There, following his 118th aerial victory, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves on 25 November 1943.

In October 1944 Hrabak, returned to JG 54, serving as its last Geschwaderkommodore until the end of the war.

Following World War II, Hrabak initially worked in the private industry.

During the Wiederbewaffnung (rearmament) of West Germany, Hrabak joined the newly established German Air Force in 1955.

He then went on to command the Advanced Pilot Training Center at Fürstenfeldbruck.

Following further command positions, Hrabak was named NATO's Chief of Air Defense/Central Europe until becoming special manager for the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter programme.

Hrabak retired in September 1970 and died on 15 September 1995.

Staffel (1st squadron) of JG 138.