TV-Series
Description
Gertrud Barkhorn, known as Trude, serves as second-in-command of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing. A veteran witch from Karlsland, she stands as humanity's second-highest-scoring ace pilot behind Erica Hartmann, credited with over 250 Neuroi kills. This record earned her the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords.
Her military career predates the Neuroi invasion, starting with volunteer service and training at a Karlsland academy. Initially assigned to Jagdgeschwader 2 (JG2), she transferred to Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG52), accruing promotions and combat experience. Commanding JG52 Gruppe II during Karlsland's evacuation, she survived with Hartmann after heavy unit losses. She became a founding member of the 501st in June 1941.
Gertrud embodies discipline, realism, and strict military protocol adherence, often rigorously enforcing rules, especially with Hartmann. Despite a calm exterior, a hot-blooded nature fuels occasional emotional outbursts, particularly when protecting others. She maintains a private, orderly life, famously establishing the "Siegfried Line" boundary in her shared room with Hartmann to contain clutter.
Devotion to her younger sister, Christiane Barkhorn, severely injured during Karlsland's evacuation, defines her. This trauma triggered a period of self-destructive recklessness in combat, gradually subsiding after interactions with Yoshika Miyafuji and Christiane's recovery. Gertrud frequently visits her sister, bringing souvenirs, and exhibits "siscon" tendencies, showing affection to those resembling Christiane, like Miyafuji, or perceived as "gently raised," like Sanya Litvyak. She avoids chaotic personalities like Francesca Lucchini or Eila Juutilainen.
Her inherent magic, Herculean Strength, grants exceptional physical enhancement exceeding basic witch abilities. This low-energy-consumption power enables prolonged combat with heavy armaments, lifting multi-ton steel, tearing iron chains, and momentarily halting high-speed Neuroi. A skilled combat leader and adjutant, she excels in planning, resource management, and archival duties. Despite poor general machine handling, notably hazardous driving, she adapts well to Striker Units and often tests experimental models without training.
Her primary Striker Units are the FlakWolf Fw190D-6 prototype (later mass-produced as Fw190D-9) and the Messerscharf Bf109G-6 spare. She piloted the experimental Me262V1 Jet Striker but crashed due to a defect causing excessive magic drain. Her typical armaments are dual-modified MG42s with 75-round drum magazines, occasionally using MG151/20 cannons with mine shells, MK108 autocannons, BK-5 heavy cannons, and Panzerfäuste.
Relationships evolve throughout her service. She shares longstanding camaraderie with Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke and Erica Hartmann, the latter often facing her disciplinary focus despite deep mutual trust. Initial coldness toward Yoshika Miyafuji, stemming from Yoshika's resemblance to Christiane, softens into a protective, sisterly bond after Yoshika heals her injuries and aids her trauma reconciliation.
Following the 501st's disbandment, Gertrud relocated to Sint-Truiden, Belgica, participating in Karlsland recapture operations. During the unit's Romagna reformation, she worked to reunite the team, including assisting in a promotional film where she collaborated with Sanya Litvyak. She witnessed and supported the alliance between the Heroes Coalition and the 501st during joint operations against Neuroi and other threats.
Her military career predates the Neuroi invasion, starting with volunteer service and training at a Karlsland academy. Initially assigned to Jagdgeschwader 2 (JG2), she transferred to Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG52), accruing promotions and combat experience. Commanding JG52 Gruppe II during Karlsland's evacuation, she survived with Hartmann after heavy unit losses. She became a founding member of the 501st in June 1941.
Gertrud embodies discipline, realism, and strict military protocol adherence, often rigorously enforcing rules, especially with Hartmann. Despite a calm exterior, a hot-blooded nature fuels occasional emotional outbursts, particularly when protecting others. She maintains a private, orderly life, famously establishing the "Siegfried Line" boundary in her shared room with Hartmann to contain clutter.
Devotion to her younger sister, Christiane Barkhorn, severely injured during Karlsland's evacuation, defines her. This trauma triggered a period of self-destructive recklessness in combat, gradually subsiding after interactions with Yoshika Miyafuji and Christiane's recovery. Gertrud frequently visits her sister, bringing souvenirs, and exhibits "siscon" tendencies, showing affection to those resembling Christiane, like Miyafuji, or perceived as "gently raised," like Sanya Litvyak. She avoids chaotic personalities like Francesca Lucchini or Eila Juutilainen.
Her inherent magic, Herculean Strength, grants exceptional physical enhancement exceeding basic witch abilities. This low-energy-consumption power enables prolonged combat with heavy armaments, lifting multi-ton steel, tearing iron chains, and momentarily halting high-speed Neuroi. A skilled combat leader and adjutant, she excels in planning, resource management, and archival duties. Despite poor general machine handling, notably hazardous driving, she adapts well to Striker Units and often tests experimental models without training.
Her primary Striker Units are the FlakWolf Fw190D-6 prototype (later mass-produced as Fw190D-9) and the Messerscharf Bf109G-6 spare. She piloted the experimental Me262V1 Jet Striker but crashed due to a defect causing excessive magic drain. Her typical armaments are dual-modified MG42s with 75-round drum magazines, occasionally using MG151/20 cannons with mine shells, MK108 autocannons, BK-5 heavy cannons, and Panzerfäuste.
Relationships evolve throughout her service. She shares longstanding camaraderie with Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke and Erica Hartmann, the latter often facing her disciplinary focus despite deep mutual trust. Initial coldness toward Yoshika Miyafuji, stemming from Yoshika's resemblance to Christiane, softens into a protective, sisterly bond after Yoshika heals her injuries and aids her trauma reconciliation.
Following the 501st's disbandment, Gertrud relocated to Sint-Truiden, Belgica, participating in Karlsland recapture operations. During the unit's Romagna reformation, she worked to reunite the team, including assisting in a promotional film where she collaborated with Sanya Litvyak. She witnessed and supported the alliance between the Heroes Coalition and the 501st during joint operations against Neuroi and other threats.