Reinhard Kollak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Reinhard Kollak
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|---|---|
| Born | 28 March 1915 Frögenau |
| Died | 6 February 1980 (aged 64) Bonn |
| Allegiance |  Nazi Germany (to 1945) West Germany |
| Service/ |
Army Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1933–45 1956–67 |
| Rank | Stabsfeldwebel (Wehrmacht) Hauptfeldwebel (Bundeswehr) |
| Unit | ZG 1 NJG 1 NJG 4 |
| Battles/wars | World War II
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| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Reinhard Kollak (born March 28, 1915 – died February 6, 1980) was a brave Luftwaffe (German Air Force) pilot during World War II. He was known as a night fighter ace, which means he was a highly skilled pilot who shot down many enemy aircraft, especially at night. He received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, a very important award given for extreme bravery or excellent leadership in battle.
Reinhard Kollak was the top-scoring non-commissioned Nachtjagd (night hunt) pilot. He and his radio operator, Hans Herman, achieved 49 victories. All of these victories happened during night missions, showing their amazing teamwork and skill.
Contents
Kollak's Early Life and Military Start
Reinhard Kollak was born in East Prussia, a region in Germany, in March 1915. He began his military journey by joining the Reichswehr, which was Germany's army at the time. In 1935, he moved to the Luftwaffe, where he trained to become a fighter pilot.
After finishing his training in the spring of 1940, Kollak joined a unit called I./ZG 1. He took part in important battles like the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain. In October 1940, he was moved to a new unit, 1./NJG 1, which focused on night fighting.
Night Fighting in World War II
After 1939, the British Royal Air Force (RAF) started attacking mostly at night. This led to Germany's "Defense of the Reich" campaign, where they tried to protect their country from these night raids.
By mid-1940, a German general named Josef Kammhuber created a special system to defend against night attacks. It was called the Kammhuber Line. This system used radars and searchlights to find enemy bombers in the dark. Each part of this system, called a Himmelbett (meaning "canopy bed"), would guide a German night fighter plane towards the enemy. This helped the night fighter pilot see the target.
Later, in 1941, German night fighters started getting special airborne radar systems, like the Lichtenstein radar. These radars helped pilots find enemy planes even when it was too dark to see them. This new technology became common in early 1942.
Kollak achieved his first night victory on June 17, 1941. He was flying as a Feldwebel (a type of sergeant) with NJG 1. He shot down an Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bomber near Hasselt. He stayed with his unit, which later became 7./NJG 4 in May 1942. On the night of August 24-25, 1942, he shot down a Short Stirling bomber. This was his tenth victory!
Because of his success, he received the German Cross in Gold on April 12, 1943. He then earned the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross after his 29th aerial victory. General Kammhuber himself presented this high award to Kollak on August 29, 1943.
Kollak became the most successful pilot in his unit, III./NJG 4. His radio operator, Hans Herman, who joined the Luftwaffe in 1938, flew with Kollak until the end of the war. Their teamwork was key to their many victories.
Life After the War
After World War II ended, Reinhard Kollak found it hard to get used to normal civilian life. However, he later rejoined the newly formed German army, the Bundeswehr, in 1956. He served there until he retired in 1967 as a Hauptfeldwebel (a senior sergeant). Reinhard Kollak passed away on February 6, 1980, at the age of 64.
Awards and Recognition
Reinhard Kollak received several important awards for his bravery and skill during his military career:
- Flugzeugführerabzeichen (Pilot's Badge)
- Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe in Gold (Award for combat flying missions)
- Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class (Awards for bravery in combat)
- Honour Goblet of the Luftwaffe (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe) on September 28, 1941, as a pilot
- German Cross in Gold on April 12, 1943, as an Oberfeldwebel (senior sergeant) in NJG 4
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on August 29, 1943, as an Oberfeldwebel and pilot in NJG 4
