Info on Ernst Von Brandenburg

Laspalmas · 24 October 2005, 08:51 AM

Hi everybody!
I am new here and in need of some info. Can someone get me info on Ernst von Brandenburg, the pilot of the Gotha bomber who, following a famous raid on London, became the only German bomber pilot to receive the "Pour de Mérite"? I need to know credited kills, if any, and when/how/where he died.
Thank you

Rick · 24 October 2005, 10:26 AM

Welcome to the Aerodrome Forum! Brandenburg received his PLM on 14Jun17 for carrying out the first mass bombing raid on England as leader of KG 3 (later renamed BG 3). As such he didn't score any victories in WWI but was, as you've noted, a bombing unit commander. He died in 1952, details not known to me, but I suspect from old age. For the record he was not the only bombing unit command to earn the PLM. It was also awarded to Alfred Keller, Rudolf Kleine, Hermann Köhl, and Leo Leonhardy. FWIW. R.

rammjaeger · 24 October 2005, 10:38 AM

My Excel-table claims he died on 1 July 1952 but three primary sources claim three different locations of death: Homburg, Bonn or Berlin!?

Laspalmas · 24 October 2005, 12:27 PM

Thanks guys!

Some website said he was the only PLM bomber pilot; maybe they meant first PLM bomber pilot.

Sorry to be so picky, Rammjaeger but the accent on the Pour le Merite is one the first e, not the last (Pour le Mérite). I'm french, just can't help myself

thanks again

rammjaeger · 24 October 2005, 01:02 PM

Please note, the man is not a "von"!

And: I know you are right with Pour le Mérite -

but I made this mistake years ago when I prepared my personal entrance for this Forum. It comes again with every new answer without my own activity now.

I promise I will find out how I can fix this mistake in the future but it is not urgent for me.
I have to see extremely wrong spelled German words every day here too.

Laspalmas · 25 October 2005, 06:43 AM

Again another internet site mistake. They called him Von Brandenburg, and I assumed this was correct. Thanks for the clarification. Now I will have to re-type the small info plaque in front of my Gotha kit...

rammjaeger · 25 October 2005, 11:05 AM

Fine! Have fun with your kit!

You can see I fixed my signature with the PlM meanwhile - it was easier to do than expected.

Laspalmas · 25 October 2005, 12:15 PM

Cheers! A votre santé!..... Prost! (Is that the right way in german?)