__Nationality:__ East German
__Affiliation:__ Nationale Volksarmee
__Rank:__ Cadet,  Leutnant (2nd Lt.), Oberleutnant (1st Lt.), Captain
__TSF:__ F-4R Phantom, MiG-21 Balalaika, MiG-21P

Jürgen Bernhard is Irisdina's older brother. He and his beloved sister would live alone together most of their adolescence and develop a very close relationship, with the two operating for the sake of the other. Both an idealist and a realist, the young Jürgen's values in his relationships and in East Germany cause him to become a loved ally to many, and enemy to some. 

When doting over Iris and watching her swimming practice, his attention was grabbed by a tall girl with deep black hair's dive into a pool beautifully and free of hesitation. When he meets Irisdina's rival and later friend, the three's paths would rapidly change along with the world, now facing an alien invasion.

A legendary ace pilot and the pioneer of laserjagd and military strategies that influenced humanities fight against the BETA to come; Jürgen's legacy is felt throughout the entire series.


This is a prequel to Schwarzesmarken. Opening in the waning days of 1972, it recounts the tale of of the Bernhard siblings, Jürgen and Irisdina, and their friend, Beatrix Brehme as they cope with relationship issues, overbearing parents, and an alien invasion.
 
Note: Includes 3 extra chapters.

The year is 1983. The Cold War is in full effect, and humanity is under attack. Strange aliens, given the name "BETA," have descended to Earth and have been destroying all life. Soldiers have been tasked with piloting large combat suits called Tactical Surface Fighters (TSF) to repel the alien invaders, but the front line is slowly being pushed back towards the surviving cities.
 
Schwarzesmarken follows the story of Theodor Eberbach and the other members of the 666th TSF Squadron Schwarzesmarken (Black Marks), a ruthless unit that values a mission's completion over human life. Stationed in East Germany on the Oder-Neisse line and led by war hero Captain Irisdina Bernhard, the unit specializes in counterassault attacks on laser-class BETA. But the 666th Squadron finds itself with more enemies than just the alien forces when optimistic rookie Katia Waldheim joins the squadron, drawing the attention of East Germany's secret police, the Stasi.