Major Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer (left), the "Ghost of St. Trond" as the western Allied called him, most successful nightfighter of WW2, shot down 121 enemy bombers. Schnaufer was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves, swords and diamonds on October 16, 1944 as one of only 27 German soldiers. He died in a car crash in Biarritz/Southern France in 1950 aged 28. To his right 2nd Lieutenant Heinz Grimm of 4th Group/NJG 1 who died of his wounds on October 13, 1943 at Bremen/Northern Germany. Knight's Cross awarded posthumously on February 5, 1944. Grimm achieved 27 aerial victories (26 at night, 1 day time).

Nightfighter aces

German Bf 109 G fighter(1943-1944)
(Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-674-7774-27)

Bf109G

The Me-262 was the 1st operational Jet in the World. It came to late for Nazi Germany though to have any bearing on the War. Captured 262s paved the way for the United States own Jet program though, and shaved months if not years off of the Development schedule. (scanned by HOS Bandit)