IL2

Messerschmitt Bf-110C Zerstörer NJG4.7 (3C+LR) 1942 01

Photo 01: Two Bf-110C night fighters of 7./NJG4 in the summer of 1942. The pilot of 3C+GR, the aircraft nearest the camera is not known, but 3C+LR in the background was flown by Ofw. Reinhard Kollak and is shown here with ren victory bars on the tail. Kanak claimed his first night victory while flying as a Feldwebel with I./NJG1 when he destroyed a Whitley in the early hours of 17 June 1941. He remained with I./NJG1 when it was redesignated 7./NJG4 in May 1942 and on the night of 24/25 August 1942, shot down a Stirling as his tenth victory. This photograph must, therefore, have been taken soon afterwards as Ofw. Konak's eleventh victory was achieved shortly after midnight on 16 September.

Pilots NJG4.7

Pilots NJG4.7 $Reinhard Kanak 01

In the photograph Reinhard Kanak may be seen wearing the German Cross in Gold, awarded on 12 April 1943, and the Knight's Cross which he received on 29 August 1943 when his tally had increased to 29 victories. Kollak was the most successful pilot of III./NJG4 and finished the war with a total of 49 night victories.