A German Second World War pilot has made his maiden voyage in a Spitfire.
Hugo Broch, 95, believes he was the first German pilot to ever fly in a Spitfire when he took off from the runway at Biggin Hill on Tuesday.
Filmed for presenter Dan Snow’s recently launched video-on-demand service HistoryHit.tv, the footage will be shown in a documentary in October.
Snow, who charted the flight’s progress, said it was “an unprecedented, once-in-a-lifetime event”.
“To have this exclusive opportunity to film with Hugo is exactly what we are aiming to offer viewers of Historyhit.tv,” he said.
Born on January 6 1922, Broch is a former Messerschmitt 109 fighter pilot and Luftwaffe ace.
During his career, he was credited with 81 victories in 324 missions and is a recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross during the war – which was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
He also won the German Cross in Gold and the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class.
The flight took place at Biggin Hill in Kent in a Spitfire owned by flyaspitfire.com.
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