Hrabak, Dietrich A “Dieter”, born 19-12-1914 in Gross Deuben near Leipzig,
the son of a real estate developer. Following his graduation from the Königin-Carola-Gymnasium, a secondary school, he volunteered for military service. He showed an interest in aviation from an early age, but joined the German navy
first in 1934.
Two years later he transferred to the Luftwaffe
, and qualified as a pilot, as a Leutnant. In 1938 Hrabak was posted to the Vienna Jagdgruppe, I./JG 138. This unit was later redesigned I./JG 76, under command of Major Anton Hackl during the Polish Campaign, before becoming II./JG 54
in April 1940. During the Polish Campaign, Hrabak was shot down, the first of 11 times, on his first mission, making a belly landing. Anton Hackl
survived the war and died 10-07-1984, aged 69, in Regensburg. On 13-05-1940, Hrabak claimed his first victory, a French Potez 63 and he claimed five more victories before the armistice. During the Battle of Britain, (see Bomber Harris)
, Hrabak was a member of JG 54, becoming Gruppenkommandeur II./JG 54 on 26-08-1940. During the Battle of Britain he added ten victories against Royal Air Force (RAF)
fighters and Field Marshal Hermann Goering (did you know), Hermann’s cousin Peter was temporary the wing man of General der Flieger, Adolf Galland
and (Wilhelm) (see Goering Peter),
personally decorated Hrabak with the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.




















Death and burial ground of Hrabak, Dietrich.




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