Order Helpline (UK) : 01436 820269	You currently have no items in your basket		Buy with confidence and security! Publishing historical art since 1985

Don't Miss Any Special Deals - Sign Up To Our Newsletter! Military Art Aviation Art Naval Art Sport Art Product Search

Cranston Fine Arts Aviation Art World War Two Veteran Signatures Germany H to K Hrabak, Dieter

Dieter Hrabak

Dieter Hrabak was shot down in his first aerial combat during the Polish Campaign. He survived to become one of the Luftwaffes most respected and popular leaders. He scored his first victory in the Battle of France, and got 15 more during the Battle of Britain. By Eagle Day he was in command of II./JG 54, which he led until taking command of JG 52 in 1942. He was the first JG 54 Ace to be awarded the Knights Cross. He ended the war back in command of JG 54, and was credited with 125 victories.

Dieter Hrabak was born on 19th December 1914 in a small village near Leipzig. Upon graduation from high school, he hoped to become a commercial pilot, but in 1934 Hrabak joined the Reichsmarine. Within 6 months he transferred to the newly formed Luftwaffe for flight training. By April 1939, Hrabak was recognised as an experienced pilot and given command of a squadron in Vienna. On his very first combat mission in September 1939 over Poland, he was shot down - the first of 11 times. Hrabaks first aerial victory came during the Battle of France. Flying an Me109, he claimed five more victories before the armistice. In the summer of 1940, his squadron was incorporated into a newly formed fighting wing, JG54 Green Hearts. Hrabak commanded II./JG54, one of the wings three groups as the Luftwaffe began its assault on England. During the Batttle of Britain he brought his score to 16 Royal Air Force fighters and Field Marshal Goring personally decorated him with the Knights Cross. In the spring of 1941, II./JG54 flew in the short campaign against Yugoslavia. When Operation Barbarosa began in Russia, he flew on the northern sector of the front and fought over Leningrad. In November 1942, Hrabak took command of JG52 on the southern front and fought over Stalingrad. In August 1943, he got his 100th aerial victory and in November, Hitler awarded him Oak Leaves to the Knights Cross. In early 1944, JG52 achieved its 10,000th aerial victory - the most by any Luftwaffe wing. In October 1944, he returned to his old wing, the Green Hearts, as Commander. Flying the Focke Wulf Fw190, he fought until near the end of the war in Kurland. After the war, he worked in the auto and chemical industry. He was a key architect in rebuilding the modern German Air Force. In 1953, Chancellor Adenaur asked him to help form a new German Air Force. Hrabak personally interviewed most of the officers who would form the nucleus. In mid-1955, he came to the United States and trained on modern jets. In the summer of 1956, he returned home to command the Advanced Pilot Training Centre at Furstenfeldbruck AB. By 1960, he commanded all GAF flying training centres. Two years later, he took charge of the air defence sector covering northern Germany and the Netherlands. In 1964, he was named NATOs Chief of Air Defence, Central Europe, until he became special manager for the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter. Finally, as a major general, he commanded the GAFs tactical command, retiring on 1st October 1970. He died on 15th September 1995.

Knights Cross	Oak Leaves

Navigation
Page 2 of 2	Previous .. Page 2

Dieter Hrabak - Signed Aviation Art

Dawn Eagles Rising by Robert Taylor. One of 3 editions available. All 3 editions feature up to 33 additional signatures. £250.00

Air Armada by Robert Taylor. One of 4 editions available. All 4 editions feature up to 11 additional signatures. £215.00

JG-52 by Robert Taylor. All 5 editions sold out. All editions feature up to 10 additional signatures.

Breaking Cover by Robert Taylor. 2 of 6 editions available. All 6 editions feature up to 13 additional signatures. £95.00 - £145.00

The Eagles Divide by Robert Taylor. 4 of 6 editions available. All 6 editions feature up to 24 additional signatures. £65.00 - £200.00

Aces on the Western Front by Robert Taylor. One of 2 editions available. The edition featuring 4 additional signatures is sold out. £495.00

Eagles out of the Sun by Robert Taylor. This single edition is sold out. The edition features 11 additional signatures.

JG52 by Robert Taylor. One of 2 editions available. The edition featuring 7 additional signatures is sold out. £495.00

Knights on the Eastern Front by Robert Taylor. This single edition is sold out. The edition features 6 additional signatures.

Navigation
Page 2 of 2	Previous .. Page 2

Text for the above items :

Dawn Eagles Rising by Robert Taylor. September 1940: The Battle of Britain reaches a crescendo as Me109s of the 1./JG52, their bright yellow noses glinting in the sun, gather speed and altitude as they form up after take-off from their base at Coquelles, near Calais. Led by Hauptmann Wolfgang Ewald, the Scharwm settle into their loose, finger-four formation, the pilots alert for danger and ready for yet another raid on England, just a few miles across the Channel.

Air Armada by Robert Taylor. In just six weeks Hitler's forces had overrun western Europe as once proud armies swiftly fell before the might of the German blitzkrieg. It was a devastating defeat, and now only Britain stood alone. Few thought she could survive. As Churchill pledged that Britain would never surrender, a German invasion seemed inevitable. But before any invasion could take place the Luftwaffe must neutralise the RAF and win control of the skies over southern England. Awaiting them was a small but resilient band of young men, the pilots of RAF Fighter Command. First the Germans attacked the coastal convoys, hoping to draw the RAF en-masse into battle. They failed. And then on 12th August, they turned their full attention to the forward fighter bases and radar stations, hoping to obliterate them once and for all. From Norway in the north, through the Low Countries and northern France to Brittany in the west, the Luftwaffe threw every available aircraft into the attack. For the young men of Fighter Command the next seven days of fighting would leave them exhausted and all but spent. They were to be the hardest days of the Battle of Britain, culminating on Sunday 18th August. This painting recreates a moment on that day as Heinz Bar, the Luftwaffe's top-scoring NCO Ace of the Battle of Britain and one of the greatest Aces in history, climbs away from his airfield near Calais with the other pilots of 1./JG51 to escort the Dornier Do17s of KG76 for yet another deadly attack on the RAF. Away in the distance, Me110s from EPRG210 also prepare to join the epic encounters that lie ahead.

JG-52 by Robert Taylor. It was the foundation upon which the Luftwaffe was built and flew throughout WWII. It was flown by some of the greatest fighter Aces of all time, and credited with more air victories than any other fighter in history. It was the Messerschmitt Bf109. One of the finest fighter aircraft ever to take to the skies, the Bf109 was flown by the Luftwaffe's greatest Aces - men like Hartmann, Galland, Rall, Reinert and Krupinski.

Breaking Cover by Robert Taylor. Concealed in the woods of northern France, Fw190 pilots break cover ready for a quick take-off to intercept Allied bombers in the summer of 1944. One of the great fighters of World War II, the Fw190 for a time came to dominate the war-torn skies of Europe and was flown by many of the Luftwaffe's great Aces.

The Eagles Divide by Robert Taylor. P-51 Mustangs of the 357th Fighter Group clash with Me109s in close combat as they struggle for air superiority over the heart of Germany, during the desperate days of 1945. It had begun - the end game was inexorably in play. The final defeat of Germany and the end of Nazi tyranny was almost within sight but in the skies over Germany the defiant remnants of the Luftwaffe fought on with savage determination. Ever since the long-range American P-51 escort fighters had first appeared, the skies over the Reich had witnessed grim encounters with the Mustangs taking on the Luftwaffe as they tried to stop the heavy bombers of the USAAF reaching their targets. By early 1945 it was a losing battle, but still the Luftwaffe fought on and, in the resulting maelstrom of combat, the Mustang pilots still had their work cut out against these battle hardened, expert pilots. Robert Taylor's superb drawing dramatically reconstructs one such clash in early 1945 as P-51 Mustangs of the 357th Fighter Group have spotted a group of Bf109s heading their way. Without hesitation they dive head-on in an attempt to break-up the enemy formation and for the pilots on both sides the explosive encounter of close combat is suddenly upon them. Limited edition prints of this classic Robert Taylor Master Drawing have been signed over the last few years by some of the most respected USAAF P-51 and distinguished Luftwaffe pilots who duelled in those merciless skies over Europe. Since signing the prints some of these legendary names have very sadly passed away, making it one of the most collectible editions of recent years.

Aces on the Western Front by Robert Taylor. Returning from a combat mission over the English Channel, Me109s flying low over Mont St. Michel, northern coast of France, Spring 1941.

Eagles out of the Sun by Robert Taylor. Supplied with companion print Night Hunters.

JG52 by Robert Taylor. During WWII JG-52 was the most successful Fighter Wing of the Luftwaffe, and with it flew many of the great German Aces, including the world's leading Fighter Pilot Erich Hartmann. General Galland was at one time a Squadron Commander. The Wing spawned some of the most brilliant pilots, each in turn trained as they joined experienced aces who had won their spurs in the early air battles on the Western Front. JG-52 played a significant role in the history of WWII.

Knights on the Eastern Front by Robert Taylor. SOLD OUT.

---

View Dieter Hrabak Aircraft

---

View Dieter Hrabak Squadrons

Known Victory Claims - Dieter Hrabak
DATE	PILOT	UNIT	JG	CLAIMED	LOCATION	TIME	FRONT

13/05/1940	Oblt. Dietrich Hrabak	1	JG 76	Potez 63	Authe S. Sedan	11.05	Western Front
18/05/1940	Oblt. Dietrich Hrabak	1	JG 76	Curtiss	W. Réthel	16.25	Western Front
19/05/1940	Oblt. Dietrich Hrabak	1	JG 76	Morane 405	W. Laon	18.3	Western Front
25/05/1940	Oblt. Dietrich Hrabak	1	JG 76	Spitfire	Gravelines	16.45	Western Front
03/06/1940	Oblt. Dietrich Hrabak	1	JG 76	Curtiss	W. Epernay	15.2	Western Front
06/06/1940	Oblt. Dietrich Hrabak	1	JG 76	Curtiss	NW Amiens	21	Western Front
11/08/1940	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	4	JG 54	Spitfire	20km vor Dover: 6000m	11	Western Front
26/08/1940	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	Spitfire	Canterbury: 4500m	13.25	Western Front
14/09/1940	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	Hurricane	SE London	17	Western Front
18/09/1940	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	Spitfire	Ashford	11.35	Western Front
27/09/1940	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	Hurricane	S. London	13	Western Front
27/09/1940	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	Hurricane	Hastings	16.2	Western Front
05/10/1940	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	Hurricane	Rochester	12.25	Western Front
08/10/1940	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	Spitfire	N. Folkestone	11.45	Western Front
12/10/1940	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	Hurricane	Tonbridge	11.05	Western Front
20/10/1940	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	Hurricane	Ashford	11	Western Front
23/06/1941	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	SB-2	N. Schlossberg	10.1	Eastern Front
30/06/1941	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	DB-3	NW Dünaburg	15.15	Eastern Front
30/06/1941	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	DB-3	NE Dünaburg	17.17	Eastern Front
06/07/1941	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	DB-3	SE Ostrow	18.3	Eastern Front
22/07/1941	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	I-18	Gorolewo	18.1	Eastern Front
25/07/1941	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	DB-3	Ssabsk	7.56	Eastern Front
25/07/1941	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	I-18	S. Ropcha	19.3	Eastern Front
30/07/1941	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	I-18	Wladimirskoje	11.2	Eastern Front
27/02/1942	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	I-18	Schdaminchug: 3000m	8.2	Eastern Front
13/03/1942	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	I-18	W. Brobowicz: 3200m	16.47	Eastern Front
14/03/1942	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	Il-2	N. Cholm: 5m	11.2	Eastern Front
16/03/1942	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	Pe-2	S. Ljuban: 2000m (Lyuban)	11.42	Eastern Front
31/03/1942	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	I-18	N. Parfino: 800m	14.58	Eastern Front
17/07/1942	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	Jak-1	Pola: 1700m	19.02	Eastern Front
19/07/1942	Hptm. Dieter Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	Jak-1	Beglowo: 4000m	17.4	Eastern Front
22/08/1942	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	LaGG-3	55 882: 5m	11	Eastern Front
22/08/1942	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	Il-2	54 291: 10m	15	Eastern Front
22/08/1942	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	Il-2	54 282: 100m	17.58	Eastern Front
23/08/1942	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	P-2	64 183: 10m	6.55	Eastern Front
23/08/1942	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	U-2	55 881: 5m	11.05	Eastern Front
01/09/1942	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	Jak-1	10 164: 3500m	9.04	Eastern Front
02/09/1942	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	Jak-1	10 221: 3000m	6.55	Eastern Front
02/09/1942	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	Il-2	10 182: 800m	10.16	Eastern Front
12/09/1942	Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab II.	JG 54	LaGG-3	10 291: 2200m	11.05	Eastern Front
13/12/1942	Major Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Pe-2	94 63: 100m	7.3	Eastern Front
10/03/1943	Major Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG-3	85 143: 4000m	10.25	Eastern Front
10/03/1943	Major Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-2	85 184: tiefflug	15.05	Eastern Front
12/03/1943	Major Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-5	76 554: 600m	8.35	Eastern Front
13/03/1943	Major Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	I-16 Rata	86 351: 1800m	13.1	Eastern Front
18/03/1943	Major Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG-3	86 541: 500m	15.47	Eastern Front
18/03/1943	Major Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG-3	86 541: 500m	15.45	Eastern Front
19/03/1943	Major Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG-3	85 574: 800m	9.25	Eastern Front
20/03/1943	Major Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Airacobra	86 641: 2000m	8	Eastern Front
20/03/1943	Major Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Airacobra	86 641: 2000m	13.55	Eastern Front
16/04/1943	Major Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG-3	85 xxx	8.35	Eastern Front
16/04/1943	Major Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG-3	85 111: 400m	11	Eastern Front
20/04/1943	Major Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-5	75 463: Bodennähe	16.14	Eastern Front
21/04/1943	Major Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Airacobra	75 xxx	11.1	Eastern Front
28/04/1943	Major Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG	85 152: 2700m	9.05	Eastern Front
08/05/1943	Major Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Airacobra	N. Krymskaya: 4000m	16	Eastern Front
05/07/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG	61 156: 2500m	7.32	Eastern Front
05/07/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG	61 331: 3500m	11.32	Eastern Front
05/07/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-2mH.	61 652: 800m	18	Eastern Front
06/07/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-2	61 243: 100m	16.2	Eastern Front
06/07/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Boston III	61 152: 1400m	18	Eastern Front
06/07/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-2	63 132: 1200m	18.05	Eastern Front
08/07/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-2	61 622: 300m	8.1	Eastern Front
08/07/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-2	61 633: 50m	8.13	Eastern Front
16/07/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG	61 251: 3000m	6.45	Eastern Front
16/07/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-2	61 254: 300m	11.15	Eastern Front
16/07/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-2	61 223: 500m	11.33	Eastern Front
16/07/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG	61 251: 4000m	17.4	Eastern Front
01/08/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-2mH.	88 261: 500m	18.45	Eastern Front
01/08/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-2mH.	88 282: 200m	11.1	Eastern Front
01/08/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-2mH.	88 261: 700m	18.47	Eastern Front
01/08/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-2mH.	88 282: 200m	11.12	Eastern Front
02/08/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG	98 142: 1200m	17	Eastern Front
02/08/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-2mH.	98 112: 300m	17.04	Eastern Front
08/08/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG	61 538: 3600m	10	Eastern Front
20/08/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-2	88 254: 700m	17.4	Eastern Front
20/08/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-2	88 262: 800m	17.46	Eastern Front
21/08/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG	88 292: 2500m	8.05	Eastern Front
21/08/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-2	88 238: 700m	17.1	Eastern Front
21/08/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-2	88 228: 700m	17.2	Eastern Front
20/09/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-2mH.	58 131: 500m	8.3	Eastern Front
24/09/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG	58 423: 2500m	15.45	Eastern Front
25/09/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Airacobra	58 473: 3500m	16.35	Eastern Front
26/09/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Airacobra	58 571: tiefst.	10.4	Eastern Front
27/09/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG-5	59 753: 3000m	16	Eastern Front
27/09/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Airacobra	58 672: 4000m	16.3	Eastern Front
05/10/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Airacobra	58 813: 5500m	15.2	Eastern Front
08/10/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG	66 662: 1500m	8.4	Eastern Front
08/10/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG	66 651: 2000m	15.1	Eastern Front
23/10/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Jak-7	58 551: 50m	9.15	Eastern Front
25/10/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG	57 154: 4800m	14.25	Eastern Front
25/10/1943	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG	57 324: 5000m	14.3	Eastern Front
21/03/1944	Obstltn. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Airacobra	18 631: 2500m	15.2	Eastern Front
03/05/1944	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Jak-7	68 833: 2500m	15	Eastern Front
31/05/1944	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 51	Airacobra	78 643: 5000m	18.55	Eastern Front
02/06/1944	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Il-2mH.	78 171: 400m	11.32	Eastern Front
08/06/1944	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	LaGG-5	78 531: 3000m	15.52	Eastern Front
08/06/1944	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 52	Airacobra	78 674: 3000m	19.2	Eastern Front
30/10/1944	Obstlt. Dietrich Hrabak	Stab	JG 54	Airacobra	17 624: 2000m	10.05	Eastern Front

Known Claims : 99

Contact Details Shipping Info Terms and Conditions Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Classifieds		Sign Up To Our Newsletter! Stay up to date with all our latest offers, deals and events as well as new releases and exclusive subscriber content! This website is owned by Cranston Fine Arts.  Torwood House, Torwoodhill Road, Rhu, Helensburgh, Scotland, G848LE Contact: Tel: (+44) (0) 1436 820269.  Email: cranstonorders -at- outlook.com

Return to Home Page