Hubertus von Bonin
Hubertus von Bonin (3 August 1911 – 15 December 1943) was a German Luftwaffe military aviator during the Spanish Civil War and World War II, a fighter ace listed with 77 enemy aircraft shot down. He claimed four victories in the Spanish Civil War, and during World War II, 64 on the Eastern Front and nine on the Western Front.
Hubertus von Bonin | |
|---|---|
Hubertus von Bonin in the Second World War | |
| Born | 3 August 1911 Potsdam, Province of Brandenburg, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire |
| Died | 15 December 1943 (aged 32) near Haradok, Byelorussian SSR, Soviet Union (now Belarus) |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
| Service/ | Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1932–1943 |
| Rank | Oberstleutnant (lieutenant colonel) |
| Unit | JG 51, JG 52 , JG 54 |
| Commands held | III./JG 52, JG 54 |
| Battles/wars | See battles
|
| Awards | Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
| Relations | Bogislaw von Bonin Eckart-Wilhelm von Bonin |
Born in Potsdam, von Bonin volunteered for service with the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War where he commanded the 3. Staffel (3rd squadron) of Jagdgruppe 88 (J/88—88th Fighter Group). Following service in Spain, von Bonin was posted to Jagdgeschwader 26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing). In January 1940, he was appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of I. Gruppe (1st group) of Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing). He then served as a flight instructor before taking command of III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52—52nd Fighter Wing) on the Eastern Front. Von Bonin was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 17 November 1942 after 51 aerial victories claimed. In July 1943, he was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander) of JG 54. Von Bonin was killed in action in aerial combat on 15 December 1943 near Haradok.