Early Life and Passion for Flight
Alwin Boerst, born on October 20, 1910, in Osterode, was the youngest of nine sons in a veterinarian’s family. After completing high school, Boerst enrolled at Göttingen University, where he studied mathematics, physics, and also began to study aircraft construction.
During his high school years, Alwin developed a great passion for glider flying, even participating in the construction of a training glider. In the summer of 1933, he passed the “A” and “B” tests, which allowed him to make solo glider flights. Subsequently, Boerst competed in numerous glider competitions regularly held in the Rhön mountains, north of Frankfurt am Main.
Military Career and Decorations
Boerst’s military career began on April 4, 1934, as a private in the 2nd platoon of the 6th Automobile Division, becoming an NCO on October 12, 1935. In 1937, he was transferred to the Luftwaffe, initially assigned to bomber aviation. After completing his flight training in 1938, he was assigned to I./StG163 and then to 3./StG163, being promoted to Lieutenant on September 1, 1938.
From July 1939, Ernst Filius served as his radio operator-gunner in a Ju-87, flying together for the next five years. Boerst completed 39 combat missions in Poland, earning him the Iron Cross 2nd Class on September 27, 1939. On May 10, 1940, he participated in the first attack on the Western Front, and after 113 sorties, received the Iron Cross 1st Class on June 9, 1940, and was promoted to First Lieutenant in August.
In April 1941, Boerst flew 22 sorties in the Balkans, and as many more in May during the Battle of Crete, where he managed to sink one British destroyer and severely damage another. After being appointed commander of 3./StG2, he completed his 200th combat sortie on June 28, 1941, and his 250th on July 21. On September 2, during his 300th sortie, he destroyed a bridge over the Neva River, and in the first months of the Eastern Front, he destroyed 79 vehicles, 6 tanks, and a train, receiving the Knight’s Cross on October 5, 1941.
Final Mission and Posthumous Legacy
Boerst was an outstanding pilot, known for his ability to engage enemy fighters, often alone against multiple I-16s. He also distinguished himself as a squadron leader who always defended his subordinates and expressed his convictions vehemently, even to higher command.
On November 28, 1942, for his 624 combat sorties, he was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross (No. 149), and on December 1, he was promoted to Hauptmann. He returned to StG2 in the spring of 1943, reaching 700 sorties on May 16 near Kerch, 800 on July 25 west of Orel, and 900 on August 28.
On September 29, 1943, he was appointed commander of I./StG2, but sustained a leg injury from anti-aircraft shrapnel in early October, being briefly hospitalized before fully assuming command. On January 29, 1944, he completed his 1000th combat sortie in the Uman area.
Hauptmann Boerst’s final mission was on March 30, 1944, his 1060th sortie, and his first combat flight in an anti-tank Ju-87G-1 “Stuka”. Northeast of Iasi, near Parliți village, he located and attacked advancing Soviet tanks. His aircraft was hit by heavy anti-aircraft fire, lost control, and caught fire. His radio operator, Ernst Filius, managed to bail out but his parachute became entangled with the tail. The burning plane crashed, ramming another Soviet tank.
Alwin Boerst was posthumously awarded the Swords to the Knight’s Cross (No. 61) on April 6, 1944. His radio operator-gunner, Oberfeldwebel Ernst Filius, who flew over 900 combat missions with him, was also posthumously awarded the Knight’s Cross on May 19.