WW2 Luftwaffe Ace Flies RAF Spitfire For the First Time

Luftwaffe Ace Hugo Broch had 81 confirmed victories on the Eastern Front. Now 103 years old, this veteran is still celebrated worldwide for his incredible talent and bravery.

Now, for the first and perhaps only time, we watch this legendary veteran fly the equally iconic British fighter, the Spitfire- two remarkable figures that used to be on opposing sides of the war.

Becoming a German Ace

After two and a half years in flight school, Hugo Broch was sent to the Eastern Front to fight the Soviets. His plane? The Messerschmitt 109. “I was fully confident and trusted in the plane,” Brock says about his experience flying the 109. All in all, he had 324 combat flights, 81 confirmed air victories, and five unconfirmed hits. His combat record makes him one of the most successful aces still alive today.

Broch, one of the most successful German aces still alive today, did something that he’s never done before- fly a Spitfire.

Aboard the Spitfire

During WWII, many planes fought for mastery of the skies. But it was the battle between the Spitfire and the Messerschmitt that captured the imagination of the public. Now, more than 70 years on, Hugo goes to the historic Biggin Hill airfield where he’s once again going to take to the skies- but this time, in a Spitfire. This very Spitfire shot down a Messerschmitt 109 in 1944, and now it’s carrying a Messerschmitt pilot.

After the flight, Hugo says that he enjoyed the flight immensely. “It brought back memories of the past. The Spitfire is a good machine, wonderful. And a great pilot. I got to experience once again what flying means and how nice flying is.”

Great to see a legend like him come full circle- the experience must have been a blast for him. That smile on his face at the end of that roll- priceless!