Prinz Wittgenstein another nightfighter ace credited with 83 victories whilst flying the ME 110 and the nightfighter variant of the JU88. Wittengstein came from an aristocratic family and by 1943 had become severely disillusioned with Hitler and the Nazi party. He confided with his mother that he planned to kill Hitler, whilst he was being awarded the Knights Cross. However Wittengstein is known to have a strong sense of duty and was in competition with Major Lent, another nightfighter ace, to become the Luftwaffe's top ranking night-time pilot. Perhaps this was his reason for not attempting to kill Hitler whilst he had the opportunity? I am not sure whether the Fuehrer's security team would have let an armed pilot in the same room as Hitler, it's all speculation at the end of the day as to what might have happened. Regardless Wittgenstein is reported to have been killed in January 1945 by a British Mosquito crew flown by Pilot Officer Desmond Snape. On the night in question Wittgenstein had already shot down 4 Lancaster's and was attacking a 5th when he himself came under fire. Wittgenstein ordered his crew to jump, who all survived, however Wittgenstein was found dead the next day on the ground with a fracture to the head and his parachute unopened. It is presumed he hit the tail fin of his Junkers as he attempted to bail out, which would have either killed him or knocked him unconscious. Our version of Wittgenstein shows him on crutches perhaps talking with Martin Drewes as they compare wounds! Limited to 100 in number for Defence of the Reich series.

Info: Prinz Wittgenstein Ace