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Oberst Helmut Lent (13 June 1918 – 7 October 1944) was a German night-fighter ace in World War II. Lent shot down 110 aircraft, 102 of them at night, far more than the minimum of five enemy aircraft required for the title of "ace". Born into a devoutly religious family, he showed an early passion for glider flying; against his father's wishes, he joined the Luftwaffe in 1936. After completing his training, he was assigned to the 1. Squadron, or Staffel, of Zerstörergeschwader 76 (ZG 76), a wing flying the Messerschmitt Bf 110 twin-engine heavy fighter. Lent claimed his first aerial victories at the outset of World War II in the invasion of Poland and over the North Sea. During the invasion of Norway he flew ground support missions before he was transferred to the newly established Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (NJG 1), a night-fighter wing. Lent claimed his first nocturnal victory on 12 May 1941 and on 30 August 1941 was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) for 22 victories. His steady accumulation of aerial victories resulted in regular promotions and awards. On the night of 15 June 1944, Major Lent was the first night fighter pilot to claim 100 nocturnal aerial victories, a feat which earned him the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten) on 31 July 1944. On 5 October 1944, Lent flew a Junkers Ju 88 on a routine transit flight from Stade to Nordborchen, 5 kilometres (3 mi) south of Paderborn. On the landing approach one of the engines cut out and the aircraft collided with power lines. All four members of the crew were mortally injured. Three men died shortly after the crash and Lent succumbed to his injuries two days later on 7 October 1944. (Source: Wikipedia) "Helmut Lent" Postcard with authentic (wartime) signature

Hi guys, Well its not a collection (just a part) but I wanted to show you my newest Luftwaffe addition. A very nice porzellan NJG 1 plaque, which belonged to nighfighter and "father of the Nachtjagd" Wolfgang Falck. Hope you like it as much as I do. Martin

Martin DREWES Major (Born) Geboren am: 20.10.1918 in Lobmachtersen, Krs. Salzgitter (Knight's Cross) Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes: 27.07.1944 als Hauptmann und Kommandeur der III./ Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (Oakleaves) Eichenlaub (839.): 17.04.1945 als Major und Kommandeur der III./ Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 More information: Served in the Bundeswehr (Final rank: Oberstleutnant der Reserve)

Rudolf SIGMUND Hauptmann Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes: 02.08.1943 als Staffelkapitän in der 11./ Nachtjagdgeschwader 1

Wolfgang Falck Oberst Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes: am 1 Oktober 1940 als Geschwaderkommodore der Nachtjagdgeschwader 1