gertrud barkhorn

Gertrud Barkhorn (ゲルトルート・バルクホルン, Gerutorūto Barukuhorun) is a character from Strike Witches. A witch of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing, originating from Karlsland. Some call her by the pet name of Trude (トゥルーデ, Turūde). Her familiar is the German Shorthair Pointer.

A calm, cool and collected realist, Gertrud always tries to conduct herself in a rational manner. But since deep down she is a hot-blooded person, there are also times when her emotions get too worked up and she loses sight of her surroundings. She believes that a military member should abide by discipline and rules, but still doesn't seem to try to impose that much on anyone other than Flying Officer Hartmann.

Gertrud's inherent magic is called Superhuman Strength <Super Physical Strengthening> (怪力 <超身体強化>, Kairiki <Chō-shintai Kyōka>) Classified in telekinesis-lineage, it far exceeds the Body Strengthening (肉体強化, Nikutai Kyōka) - one of the basic abilities of a Witch - in capacity and sustainability.

She is based on Gerhard Barkhorn; like Gertrud, he was the #2 ranked flying ace of World War II.