Iro Ilk

Iro Ilk (18 October 1919 – 25 September 1944) was a German World War II Luftwaffe bomber pilot, fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. Ilk is credited with 10 aerial victories claimed in more than 300 missions as a bomber and fighter pilot.

Ilk was killed in action on 25 September 1944 near Moers in combat with Supermarine Spitfires flying Bf 109 G-14 (Werknummer 782295&mdash;factory number).

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class
 * Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (23 August 1943)
 * German Cross in Gold on 27 March 1942 as Leutnant in the 1./LG 1
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 21 October 1942 as Oberleutnant and pilot in the 1.(K)/LG 1