Nachtjagdgeschwader 1
Encyclopedia
Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 was a German Luftwaffe
night fighter
-wing
of World War II
. NJG 1 was formed on 22 June 1940 in Mönchengladbach
.
By the end of the war it was the most successful night fighter unit and had claimed some 2,311 victories by day and night, for some 676 aircrew killed in action.
(ZG 1) and IV./Zerstörergeschwader 26
(ZG 26), while II Gruppe was formed from IV./(N)JG 2, although the Gruppe was redesignated III./NJG 1 in July 1940, while a new II Gruppe was formed from 2./Kampfgeschwader 30
(KG 30). Again this Gruppe were redesignated as I./Nachtjagdgeschwader 2
(NJG 2) and a third II Gruppe was raised in September 1940 from I./ZG 26.
IV./NJG 1 was raised in October 1942 from parts of II./NJG 2.
's and Bf 110
's were designated as dual day/night fighter units, no specialist aircraft or trained crews existed and all night fighting took place on an ad-hoc basis by existing front line units.
By 1940 it was clear the Bf 110 twin engine fighter was more suitable for night defense duties, and in mid 1940 NJG 1 was formed from a cadre of experienced Zerstörer crews. Based at Ziese
, Holland, the unit were part of the 1st Night Fighter Division under Oberst Josef Kammhuber
. With little technical equipment or training, interceptions of night flying RAF bombers were sporadic through the year, although by October the first Himmelbett zones were in place to aid the aircrews with radar guidance and radio assistance from the ground.
Stretching across the approaches to the vital industrial targets in the Ruhr, each 'Himmelbett' zone had a searchlight battery and two Würzburg radar
, one of which linked the fighter to a ground control, and one to a master searchlight to illuminate the bombers. The plotting control room enabled the single night fighter manning each zone to be vectored towards the bombers. The system first became known as 'Helle nachtjagd' and was evolved in to 1941 to include the longer range Würzburg radars, the short range Freya, and a single NJG 1 night fighter allocated to each 30 mile square zone.
Simple though the interception system was, NJG 1 did obtain a certain degree of success in 1941. Many future Night Experten would learn their trade in these early days, such as then-Oberleutnant
Helmut Lent
, who with 6./NJG 1, claimed his first kill in March 1941. By the end of 1941 Lent (with 20 kills) and Werner Streib
(22 kills) would be the top scorers of NJG 1.
However, the need for an airborne radar interception system became increasingly obvious. The first JU 88
C fighters, equipped with Lichtenstein FuG 202
airborne radar were delivered to I./NJG 1 at Venlo early in 1942. This allowed the crews to track a target over a range of 3,500 to 6,100 yards, the image appearing as a 'blip' on two cathode ray tubes.
NJG 1 also started receiving the upgraded Bf 110 G-4 in February 1942, able to be fitted with numerous 'conversion kits', giving the Geschwader flexibility in weapons, fuel capacity and engine performance. In 1942 the Dornier Do 217
J was also trialed in service with NJG 1; however the lack of performance made the type unpopular with crews.
, a 48 victory ace, died in a landing crash following an engine fire in his Bf 110.
By the start of 1943, almost all NJG 1's fighters were equipped with radar and the Nachtgeschwadern were inflicting ever higher losses on Bomber Command (Lent had claimed his 50th kill in January). The battle in the night skies became an ever more accelerated technological race between the RAF's need for accurate navigation and bombing aids and the Luftwaffe's requirement for tracking and location of the bomber streams.
Gradually, the old Himmelbett system was now becoming increasing saturated and with the RAF introducing 'Window' counter-measures in July 1943, new tactics were needed.
Zahme Sau
was a new tactic introduced in 1943. At the indication of a forthcoming raid, the fighters were be scrambled and collected together to orbit one of several radio beacons throughout Germany, ready to be directed en masse into the bomber stream by R/T running commentaries from the Jagd division. Once fed into the stream, fighters made radar contact with a succession of individual bombers and maintained contact (and combat) as far as their ammunition and fuel held out.
This resulted in a far more economic use of crews and the commencement of 'multiple' kills by the more able and experienced of the NJG 1 night fighter crews; Werner Streib
claimed 5 on 11 June, Hptm. Hans-Dieter Frank
6 on 21 June, and Leutnant Musset 5 over Peenemünde
on 17 August.
Initial deliveries of the brand new Heinkel He 219
night fighter went to I./NJG 1 in mid 1943 for combat evalaution. Based at Venlo
The first combat mission was flown by Werner Streib with bordfunker Pischer on the night of 11/12 June 1943. Streib shot down five heavy bombers, but on returning Streib totally misjudged the approach due to a misted windscreen. Seeing the runway lights at the last moment he selected full flap at too high a speed, and the aircraft hit the ground so hard it broke up, although both men were unhurt.
I./NJG 1 was ultimately the only gruppe to be equipped with the He 219, although a small number of aircraft were attached to other units, including NJG 3.
Hpt. Frank, Gruppenkommandeur of I./NJG 1, was killed when his Heinkel He 219A-0 collided with a Bf 110 on 27 September 1943.
Bomber Command commenced its concentrated offensive against Berlin in November 1943, in what became known as The Battle of Berlin
. NJG 1 were heavily involved in the increasingly effective night fighter riposte to the massed deep penetration raids, and scored heavily up until late March 1944, when the RAF switched its attentions to short range, tactical targets ready for the forthcoming invasion. Hpt. Von Bonin of II./NJG 1 claimed 5 kills on the night of 25/26 November 1943, and Obfw. Vinke
of IV. Gruppe scored 5 on 19/20 February 1944.
The raids comprising the battle often took place in extremely poor weather conditions, and these conditions contributed to many of NJG 1's losses. For example, Hpt. Walter Ehle (39 kills) died in an accident in 17 November 1943.
claimed 79 of his eventual 121 kills in this year, and Hpt. Martin Drewes
over 40.
Early 1944 also saw NJG 1's aircraft start to be equipped with the newer and more effective Lichtenstein SN-2 radar, further improving the units effectiveness. Hpt. Drewes claimed 5 kills on two May nights; 3/4 May and 21/22 May 1944.
However, this period also saw the advent of anti-night fighter operations by the Bomber Command's No. 100 Group RAF
, and the commencement of radar-equipped de Havilland Mosquito
fighter operations over Europe, leading to gradually increased losses among the overworked experienced Nachtgeschwader crews through 1944. By this time any flights, day or night, were hazardous, and NJG 1's Obfw. Heinz Vinke
(54 kills) was shot down and killed by RAF Typhoons during an daylight air test on 26 February 1944.
Once the European invasion in June 1944 had stabilised and the Allied armies commenced an advance into France, the Nachtgeschwadern found their early warning radar network and monitoring infrastructure increasingly compromised, as territory was lost to the Allies.
Thus as 1944 ground on, NJG 1 found its job increasingly difficult. Novice and less successful crews were diverted -and often lost- to costly night ground-attack operations, leaving those few experienced crews remaining operational to shoot down more of the rapidly increasing numbers of RAF Bomber Command
aircraft which now - due to a wide range of radio counter-measures and their own night fighter efforts- roamed almost at will in the German night sky. Fuel and equipment shortages also curtailed the response to the continuing night attacks. In September 1944 Schnaufer achieved his 100th victory on 9 October 1944 and was awarded the Brillanten personally by Hitler.
Oberleutnant Werner Baake
was awarded a Ritterkreuz on 27 July for 33 victories. Baake was then appointed Gruppenkommandeur I./NJG 1 on 2 October 1944, succeeding Major Paul Förster (8 victories) who was killed on 1 October. Baake ended the war with 41 victories.
As 1944 wore on more irreplaceable aces were killed in action by the increasingly effective RAF night fighters; Obfw. Willi Morlock (16 kills) was shot down and killed by RAF Intruders on 5 November 1944, while Hpt. Hans-Heinz Augenstein
(46 Kills) was killed by a Fighter Interception Unit
Mosquito fighter on 6 December 1944. On the night of 24/25 December 1944, Hpt. Heinz Strüning
(56 victories) of 9./NJG 1 was shot down in his Bf 110 G-4 by a No.157 Squadron intruder.
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
night fighter
Night fighter
A night fighter is a fighter aircraft adapted for use at night or in other times of bad visibility...
-wing
Wing (air force unit)
Wing is a term used by different military aviation forces for a unit of command. The terms wing, group or Staffel are used for different-sized units from one country or service to another....
of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. NJG 1 was formed on 22 June 1940 in Mönchengladbach
Mönchengladbach
Mönchengladbach , formerly known as Münchengladbach, is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located west of the Rhine half way between Düsseldorf and the Dutch border....
.
By the end of the war it was the most successful night fighter unit and had claimed some 2,311 victories by day and night, for some 676 aircrew killed in action.
Formation
I Gruppe was formed in June 1940 from elements of I./Zerstörergeschwader 1Zerstörergeschwader 1
Zerstörergeschwader 1 or ZG 1 was a Luftwaffe heavy/destroyer Fighter Aircraft-wing of World War II.-History:...
(ZG 1) and IV./Zerstörergeschwader 26
Zerstörergeschwader 26
Zerstörergeschwader 26 "Horst Wessel" was a Luftwaffe heavy/destroyer Fighter Aircraft-wing of World War II.-History:Zerstörergeschwader 26 was formed in early 1936 from the Jagdgeschwader 134 "Horst Wessel". The Geschwaderstab and I. Gruppe was located in Dortmund, II. Gruppe in Werl and III....
(ZG 26), while II Gruppe was formed from IV./(N)JG 2, although the Gruppe was redesignated III./NJG 1 in July 1940, while a new II Gruppe was formed from 2./Kampfgeschwader 30
Kampfgeschwader 30
-Service history:Formed on 15 November 1939 in Greifswald. I Gruppe formed 1 September, II Gruppe on 23 September and III Gruppe on 1 January 1940, based in Greifswald then Barth...
(KG 30). Again this Gruppe were redesignated as I./Nachtjagdgeschwader 2
Nachtjagdgeschwader 2
Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 was a German Luftwaffe night fighter-wing of World War II. NJG 2 was formed on 1 September 1940 in Gilze en Rijen from II./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 . Stab I./NJG 2 was formed from Stab II./NJG 1,while 1./NJG 2 was formed from 4./NJG1 equipped with the Junkers Ju 88C-1...
(NJG 2) and a third II Gruppe was raised in September 1940 from I./ZG 26.
IV./NJG 1 was raised in October 1942 from parts of II./NJG 2.
Operational history
In common with all other air forces of the time, the Luftwaffe did not possess an organized night fighter force at the outbreak of war. Although 5 Staffeln of Bf 109Messerschmitt Bf 109
The Messerschmitt Bf 109, often called Me 109, was a German World War II fighter aircraft designed by Willy Messerschmitt and Robert Lusser during the early to mid 1930s...
's and Bf 110
Messerschmitt Bf 110
The Messerschmitt Bf 110, often called Me 110, was a twin-engine heavy fighter in the service of the Luftwaffe during World War II. Hermann Göring was a proponent of the Bf 110, and nicknamed it his Eisenseiten...
's were designated as dual day/night fighter units, no specialist aircraft or trained crews existed and all night fighting took place on an ad-hoc basis by existing front line units.
By 1940 it was clear the Bf 110 twin engine fighter was more suitable for night defense duties, and in mid 1940 NJG 1 was formed from a cadre of experienced Zerstörer crews. Based at Ziese
Ziese
Ziese is a river of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.-See also:*List of rivers of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern...
, Holland, the unit were part of the 1st Night Fighter Division under Oberst Josef Kammhuber
Josef Kammhuber
Josef Kammhuber was a Career Officer in the German Air Force, and is best known as the first General of the Night Fighters in the Luftwaffe during World War II...
. With little technical equipment or training, interceptions of night flying RAF bombers were sporadic through the year, although by October the first Himmelbett zones were in place to aid the aircrews with radar guidance and radio assistance from the ground.
Stretching across the approaches to the vital industrial targets in the Ruhr, each 'Himmelbett' zone had a searchlight battery and two Würzburg radar
Würzburg radar
The Würzburg radar was the primary ground-based gun laying radar for both the Luftwaffe and the German Army during World War II. Initial development took place before the war, entering service in 1940. Eventually over 4,000 Würzburgs of various models were produced...
, one of which linked the fighter to a ground control, and one to a master searchlight to illuminate the bombers. The plotting control room enabled the single night fighter manning each zone to be vectored towards the bombers. The system first became known as 'Helle nachtjagd' and was evolved in to 1941 to include the longer range Würzburg radars, the short range Freya, and a single NJG 1 night fighter allocated to each 30 mile square zone.
Oberleutnant
Oberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty...
Helmut Lent
Helmut Lent
Oberst Helmut Lent was a German night-fighter ace in World War II. Lent shot down 110 aircraft, 103 of them at night, far more than the minimum of five enemy aircraft required for the title of "ace".For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter...
, who with 6./NJG 1, claimed his first kill in March 1941. By the end of 1941 Lent (with 20 kills) and Werner Streib
Werner Streib
Werner Streib was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords during World War II...
(22 kills) would be the top scorers of NJG 1.
However, the need for an airborne radar interception system became increasingly obvious. The first JU 88
Junkers Ju 88
The Junkers Ju 88 was a World War II German Luftwaffe twin-engine, multi-role aircraft. Designed by Hugo Junkers' company through the services of two American aviation engineers in the mid-1930s, it suffered from a number of technical problems during the later stages of its development and early...
C fighters, equipped with Lichtenstein FuG 202
Lichtenstein radar
Lichtenstein radar was a German airborne radar in use during World War II. It was available in at least four major revisions, the FuG 202 Lichtenstein B/C, FuG 212 Lichtenstein C-1, FuG 220 Lichtenstein SN-2 and FuG 228 Lichtenstein SN-3.- FuG 202 Lichtenstein B/C :Early FuG 202 Lichtenstein B/C...
airborne radar were delivered to I./NJG 1 at Venlo early in 1942. This allowed the crews to track a target over a range of 3,500 to 6,100 yards, the image appearing as a 'blip' on two cathode ray tubes.
NJG 1 also started receiving the upgraded Bf 110 G-4 in February 1942, able to be fitted with numerous 'conversion kits', giving the Geschwader flexibility in weapons, fuel capacity and engine performance. In 1942 the Dornier Do 217
Dornier Do 217
The Dornier Do 217 was a bomber used by German Luftwaffe during World War II as a more powerful version of the Dornier Do 17, known as the Fliegender Bleistift . Designed in 1937 and 1938 as a heavy bomber, its design was refined during 1939 and production began in late 1940...
J was also trialed in service with NJG 1; however the lack of performance made the type unpopular with crews.
1943
In early 1943 the heavy fighters of the Nachtgeschwadern, NJG 1 among them , were also being used against the increasingly heavy raids by the daylight bombers of the US 8th Air Force, where it was thought their heavier armament and longer endurance would complement the day fighters. However, most night fighter crews had little experience of day combat techniques, and the missions inevitably saw a steady attrition of these specialist, highly trained crews. For instance, Hptm. Ludwig Becker, a 44 victory ace of 12.NJG 1, was lost against B-24's over the North Sea in February 1943. Just two days earlier Oblt. Paul GildnerPaul Gildner
Paul Gildner was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military...
, a 48 victory ace, died in a landing crash following an engine fire in his Bf 110.
By the start of 1943, almost all NJG 1's fighters were equipped with radar and the Nachtgeschwadern were inflicting ever higher losses on Bomber Command (Lent had claimed his 50th kill in January). The battle in the night skies became an ever more accelerated technological race between the RAF's need for accurate navigation and bombing aids and the Luftwaffe's requirement for tracking and location of the bomber streams.
Gradually, the old Himmelbett system was now becoming increasing saturated and with the RAF introducing 'Window' counter-measures in July 1943, new tactics were needed.
Zahme Sau
Zahme Sau
Zahme Sau was a night fighter intercept tactic introduced by the German Luftwaffe in 1943. At the indication of a forthcoming raid, the fighters were be scrambled and collected together to orbit one of several radio beacons throughout Germany, ready to be directed en masse into the bomber stream...
was a new tactic introduced in 1943. At the indication of a forthcoming raid, the fighters were be scrambled and collected together to orbit one of several radio beacons throughout Germany, ready to be directed en masse into the bomber stream by R/T running commentaries from the Jagd division. Once fed into the stream, fighters made radar contact with a succession of individual bombers and maintained contact (and combat) as far as their ammunition and fuel held out.
This resulted in a far more economic use of crews and the commencement of 'multiple' kills by the more able and experienced of the NJG 1 night fighter crews; Werner Streib
Werner Streib
Werner Streib was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords during World War II...
claimed 5 on 11 June, Hptm. Hans-Dieter Frank
Hans-Dieter Frank
Hans-Dieter Frank was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. Frank claimed 55 aerial victories.For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces...
6 on 21 June, and Leutnant Musset 5 over Peenemünde
Peenemünde
The Peenemünde Army Research Center was founded in 1937 as one of five military proving grounds under the Army Weapons Office ....
on 17 August.
Initial deliveries of the brand new Heinkel He 219
Heinkel He 219
The Heinkel He 219 Uhu was a night fighter that served with the German Luftwaffe in the later stages of World War II. A relatively sophisticated design, the He 219 possessed a variety of innovations, including an advanced VHF-band intercept radar...
night fighter went to I./NJG 1 in mid 1943 for combat evalaution. Based at Venlo
Venlo
Venlo is a municipality and a city in the southeastern Netherlands, next to the German border. It is situated in the province of Limburg.In 2001, the municipalities of Belfeld and Tegelen were merged into the municipality of Venlo. Tegelen was originally part of the Duchy of Jülich centuries ago,...
The first combat mission was flown by Werner Streib with bordfunker Pischer on the night of 11/12 June 1943. Streib shot down five heavy bombers, but on returning Streib totally misjudged the approach due to a misted windscreen. Seeing the runway lights at the last moment he selected full flap at too high a speed, and the aircraft hit the ground so hard it broke up, although both men were unhurt.
I./NJG 1 was ultimately the only gruppe to be equipped with the He 219, although a small number of aircraft were attached to other units, including NJG 3.
Hpt. Frank, Gruppenkommandeur of I./NJG 1, was killed when his Heinkel He 219A-0 collided with a Bf 110 on 27 September 1943.
Bomber Command commenced its concentrated offensive against Berlin in November 1943, in what became known as The Battle of Berlin
Battle of Berlin (air)
The Battle of Berlin was a British bombing campaign on Berlin from November 1943 – March 1944. The campaign was not limited solely to Berlin. Other German cities were attacked to prevent concentration of defences in Berlin, and Bomber Command had other responsibilities and operations to conduct...
. NJG 1 were heavily involved in the increasingly effective night fighter riposte to the massed deep penetration raids, and scored heavily up until late March 1944, when the RAF switched its attentions to short range, tactical targets ready for the forthcoming invasion. Hpt. Von Bonin of II./NJG 1 claimed 5 kills on the night of 25/26 November 1943, and Obfw. Vinke
Heinz Vinke
Heinz Vinke was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II...
of IV. Gruppe scored 5 on 19/20 February 1944.
The raids comprising the battle often took place in extremely poor weather conditions, and these conditions contributed to many of NJG 1's losses. For example, Hpt. Walter Ehle (39 kills) died in an accident in 17 November 1943.
1944-45
The experten of NJG 1 continued to be successful through the first half of 1944. Schnaufer was appointed Gruppenkommandeur IV./NJG 1 in March 1944 and claimed 5 aircraft on the night of 24/25 May. He was awarded the Eichenlaub on 24 June for 84 victories and the Schwerter on 30 July, with his total at 89. Heinz-Wolfgang SchnauferHeinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer
Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer was a German Luftwaffe night fighter pilot and is the highest scoring night fighter ace in the history of aerial warfare...
claimed 79 of his eventual 121 kills in this year, and Hpt. Martin Drewes
Martin Drewes
Martin Drewes was a night fighter ace in the German Luftwaffe during World War II.For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces 52 victories49 confirmed by Luftwaffe and 3 process interrupted in war finish43 victories at night were scored most...
over 40.
Early 1944 also saw NJG 1's aircraft start to be equipped with the newer and more effective Lichtenstein SN-2 radar, further improving the units effectiveness. Hpt. Drewes claimed 5 kills on two May nights; 3/4 May and 21/22 May 1944.
However, this period also saw the advent of anti-night fighter operations by the Bomber Command's No. 100 Group RAF
No. 100 Group RAF
No. 100 Group was a special duties group within RAF Bomber Command.It was formed on 11 November 1943 to consolidate the increasingly complex business of electronic warfare and countermeasures within one organisation. The group was responsible for the development, operational trial and use of...
, and the commencement of radar-equipped de Havilland Mosquito
De Havilland Mosquito
The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft that served during the Second World War and the postwar era. It was known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews and was also nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder"...
fighter operations over Europe, leading to gradually increased losses among the overworked experienced Nachtgeschwader crews through 1944. By this time any flights, day or night, were hazardous, and NJG 1's Obfw. Heinz Vinke
Heinz Vinke
Heinz Vinke was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II...
(54 kills) was shot down and killed by RAF Typhoons during an daylight air test on 26 February 1944.
Once the European invasion in June 1944 had stabilised and the Allied armies commenced an advance into France, the Nachtgeschwadern found their early warning radar network and monitoring infrastructure increasingly compromised, as territory was lost to the Allies.
Thus as 1944 ground on, NJG 1 found its job increasingly difficult. Novice and less successful crews were diverted -and often lost- to costly night ground-attack operations, leaving those few experienced crews remaining operational to shoot down more of the rapidly increasing numbers of RAF Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command controlled the RAF's bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. During World War II the command destroyed a significant proportion of Nazi Germany's industries and many German cities, and in the 1960s stood at the peak of its postwar military power with the V bombers and a supplemental...
aircraft which now - due to a wide range of radio counter-measures and their own night fighter efforts- roamed almost at will in the German night sky. Fuel and equipment shortages also curtailed the response to the continuing night attacks. In September 1944 Schnaufer achieved his 100th victory on 9 October 1944 and was awarded the Brillanten personally by Hitler.
Oberleutnant Werner Baake
Werner Baake
Werner Baake was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Baake claimed 41 nocturnal aerial victories...
was awarded a Ritterkreuz on 27 July for 33 victories. Baake was then appointed Gruppenkommandeur I./NJG 1 on 2 October 1944, succeeding Major Paul Förster (8 victories) who was killed on 1 October. Baake ended the war with 41 victories.
As 1944 wore on more irreplaceable aces were killed in action by the increasingly effective RAF night fighters; Obfw. Willi Morlock (16 kills) was shot down and killed by RAF Intruders on 5 November 1944, while Hpt. Hans-Heinz Augenstein
Hans-Heinz Augenstein
Hans-Heinz Augenstein was a German Luftwaffe fighter and flying ace during World War II. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat...
(46 Kills) was killed by a Fighter Interception Unit
Fighter Interception Unit
The Fighter Interception Unit was a special interceptor aircraft unit of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. It was part of Air Defence of Great Britain....
Mosquito fighter on 6 December 1944. On the night of 24/25 December 1944, Hpt. Heinz Strüning
Heinz Strüning
Heinz Strüning was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. Strüning shot down 56 aircraft in 280 missions...
(56 victories) of 9./NJG 1 was shot down in his Bf 110 G-4 by a No.157 Squadron intruder.
Knight's Cross recipients of NJG 1
| Name | Knight's Cross | | Oak Leaves | | Swords | | Diamonds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falck, Wolfgang Wolfgang Falck Wolfgang Falck was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace during World War II. He was one of the key organisers of the German night fighter defences.-Military career:... |
1 October 1940 | |||
| Streib, Werner Werner Streib Werner Streib was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords during World War II... |
6 October 1940 | 26 February 1943 | 11 March 1944 | |
| Gildner, Paul Paul Gildner Paul Gildner was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military... |
9 July 1941 | 26 February 1943 | ||
| Eckardt, Reinhold Reinhold Eckardt Reinhold Eckardt was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership... |
30 August 1941 | |||
| Lent, Helmut Helmut Lent Oberst Helmut Lent was a German night-fighter ace in World War II. Lent shot down 110 aircraft, 103 of them at night, far more than the minimum of five enemy aircraft required for the title of "ace".For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter... |
30 August 1941 | 6 June 1942 | 2 August 1943 | 31 July 1944 |
| Becker, Ludwig | 1 July 1942 | 26 February 1943 | ||
| Knacke, Reinhold Reinhold Knacke Reinhold Knacke was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military... |
1 July 1942 | 7 February 1943 | ||
| Strüning, Heinz Heinz Strüning Heinz Strüning was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. Strüning shot down 56 aircraft in 280 missions... |
29 October 1942 | 20 July 1944 | ||
| Meurer, Manfred Manfred Meurer Manfred Meurer was a Luftwaffe night fighter flying ace of World War II. Meurer was credited with 65 aerial victories claimed in 130 combat missions.For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the... |
16 April 1943 | 2 August 1943 | ||
| Geiger, August August Geiger (pilot) August Geiger was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II... |
22 May 1943 | 2 March 1944 | ||
| Lütje, Herbert Herbert Lütje Herbert Lütje . He was a highly decorated night fighter pilot and flying ace during World War II. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat... |
1 June 1943 | 17 April 1945 | ||
| Frank, Hans-Dieter Hans-Dieter Frank Hans-Dieter Frank was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. Frank claimed 55 aerial victories.For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces... |
20 June 1943 | 2 March 1944 | ||
| Sigmund, Rudolf Rudolf Sigmund Rudolf Sigmund was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership... |
2 August 1943 | |||
| Ehle, Walter Walter Ehle Walter Ehle was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership... |
29 August 1943 | |||
| Linke, Lothar Lothar Linke Lothar Linke was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership... |
19 September 1944 | |||
| Vinke, Heinz Heinz Vinke Heinz Vinke was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II... |
19 September 1943 | 25 April 1944 | ||
| Scheibe, Gerhard Gerhard Scheibe Gerhard Scheibe was a highly decorated Oberfeldwebel in the Luftwaffe during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership... |
10 December 1944 | |||
| Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer was a German Luftwaffe night fighter pilot and is the highest scoring night fighter ace in the history of aerial warfare... |
31 December 1943 | 24 June 1944 | 30 July 1944 | 16 October 1944 |
| Bonin, Eckart-Wilhelm von Eckart-Wilhelm von Bonin Eckart-Wilhelm von Bonin was a German World War II night fighter pilot who served in the Luftwaffe. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat... |
5 February 1944 | |||
| Grimm, Heinz | 5 February 1944 | |||
| Scherfling, Karl-Heinz Karl-Heinz Scherfling Karl-Heinz Scherfling was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership... |
8 April 1944 | |||
| Augenstein, Hans-Heinz Hans-Heinz Augenstein Hans-Heinz Augenstein was a German Luftwaffe fighter and flying ace during World War II. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat... |
9 June 1944 | |||
| Weißflog, Erich | 24 June 1944 | |||
| Bundrock, Kurt Kurt Bundrock Kurt Bundrock was a highly decorated Oberfeldwebel in the Luftwaffe during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership... |
30 June 1944 | |||
| Baake, Werner Werner Baake Werner Baake was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Baake claimed 41 nocturnal aerial victories... |
27 July 1944 | |||
| Drewes, Martin Martin Drewes Martin Drewes was a night fighter ace in the German Luftwaffe during World War II.For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces 52 victories49 confirmed by Luftwaffe and 3 process interrupted in war finish43 victories at night were scored most... |
27 July 1944 | 17 April 1945 | ||
| Gänsler, Wilhelm Wilhelm Gänsler Wilhelm Gänsler was a highly decorated Oberfeldwebel in the Luftwaffe during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership... |
27 July 1944 | |||
| Greiner, Hermann Hermann Greiner Georg-Hermann Greiner was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful... |
27 July 1944 | 17 April 1945 | ||
| Handke, Erich Erich Handke Erich Handke was a highly decorated Oberfeldwebel in the Luftwaffe during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership... |
27 July 1944 | |||
| Rumpelhardt, Friedrich Friedrich Rumpelhardt Friedrich "Fritz" Rumpelhardt was a highly decorated Leutnant in the Luftwaffe during World War II.During his career he participated in 130 missions as a Bordfunker with NJG 1 and NJG 4, and participated in 100 aerial victories as a crewman with Major Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer from October 1942... |
27 July 1944 | |||
| Schmidt, Dietrich Dietrich Schmidt (pilot) Dietrich Schmidt was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership... |
27 July 1944 | |||
| Modrow, Ernst-Wilhelm Ernst-Wilhelm Modrow Ernst-Wilhelm Modrow was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership... |
19 August 1944 | |||
| Müller, Walter | 20 August 1944 | |||
| Hager, Johannes | 12 March 1945 | |||
| Lau, Fritz | 28 April 1945 | |||
Kommodore
- Oberst Wolfgang FalckWolfgang FalckWolfgang Falck was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace during World War II. He was one of the key organisers of the German night fighter defences.-Military career:...
, 26 June 1940 – 30 June 1943 - Oberst Werner StreibWerner StreibWerner Streib was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords during World War II...
, 1 July 1943 – March 1944 - Oberstleutnant Hans-Joachim JabsHans-Joachim JabsHans-Joachim Jabs was both a day and night fighter aceFor a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces in the German Luftwaffe during World War II. 50 victories28 victories at night were scored...
, March 1944 – May 1945
I./NJG 1
- Hauptmann Günther RaduschGünther RaduschGünther Radusch was a German aircraft pilot, the sixth highest scoring night fighter flying ace in the German Luftwaffe during World War II.For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces Günther Radusch is credited with 65 aerial victories...
, 1 July 1940 – 6 October 1940 - Major Werner StreibWerner StreibWerner Streib was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords during World War II...
, 18 October 1940 – 1 July 1943 - Hauptmann Hans-Dieter FrankHans-Dieter FrankHans-Dieter Frank was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. Frank claimed 55 aerial victories.For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces...
, 1 July 1943 – 27 September 1943 - Hauptmann Manfred MeurerManfred MeurerManfred Meurer was a Luftwaffe night fighter flying ace of World War II. Meurer was credited with 65 aerial victories claimed in 130 combat missions.For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the...
, 28 September 1943 – 21 January 1944 - Major Paul Förster, January 1944 – 1 October 1944
- Hauptmann Werner BaakeWerner BaakeWerner Baake was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Baake claimed 41 nocturnal aerial victories...
, 2 October 1944 – 8 May 1945
II./NJG 1
- Hauptmann Conrad von Bothmer, 22 June 1940 – 1 July 1940
- Hauptmann Karl-Heinrich Heyse, 1 July 1940 – 7 September 1940
- Hauptmann Graf von Stillfried und Rattonitz, 7 September 1940 – 6 October 1940
- Major Walter EhleWalter EhleWalter Ehle was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership...
, 6 October 1940 – 17 November 1943 - Major Eckart-Wilhelm von BoninEckart-Wilhelm von BoninEckart-Wilhelm von Bonin was a German World War II night fighter pilot who served in the Luftwaffe. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat...
, 18 November 1943 – 25 October 1944 - Hauptmann Adolf Breves, 26 October 1944 – 8 May 1945
III./NJG 1
- Hauptmann Conrad von Bothmer, 1 July 1940 – 1 November 1940
- Hauptmann Schön, 1 November 1940 – 1 February 1941
- Major Adolf Edler von Graeve, 8 February 1941 – 5 June 1942
- Hauptmann Wolfgang Thimmig, 6 June 1942 – 31 May 1943
- Major Egmont Prinz zur Lippe-WeißenfeldEgmont Prinz zur Lippe-WeißenfeldEgmont Prinz zur Lippe-Weißenfeld was a Luftwaffe night fighter flying ace of aristocratic descent during World War II. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat...
, 1 June 1943 – 20 February 1944 - Major Martin DrewesMartin DrewesMartin Drewes was a night fighter ace in the German Luftwaffe during World War II.For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces 52 victories49 confirmed by Luftwaffe and 3 process interrupted in war finish43 victories at night were scored most...
, 1 March 1944 – 8 May 1945
IV./NJG 1
- Major Helmut LentHelmut LentOberst Helmut Lent was a German night-fighter ace in World War II. Lent shot down 110 aircraft, 103 of them at night, far more than the minimum of five enemy aircraft required for the title of "ace".For a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter...
, 1 October 1942 – 1 August 1943 - Hauptmann Hans-Joachim JabsHans-Joachim JabsHans-Joachim Jabs was both a day and night fighter aceFor a list of Luftwaffe night fighter aces see List of German World War II night fighter aces in the German Luftwaffe during World War II. 50 victories28 victories at night were scored...
, 1 August 1943 – 1 March 1944 - Major Heinz-Wolfgang SchnauferHeinz-Wolfgang SchnauferHeinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer was a German Luftwaffe night fighter pilot and is the highest scoring night fighter ace in the history of aerial warfare...
, 1 March 1944 – 26 October 1944 - Hauptmann Hermann GreinerHermann GreinerGeorg-Hermann Greiner was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful...
, 1 November 1944 – 8 May 1945