Iro Ilk

Iro Ilk
Born	18 October 1919 Nassau an der Lahn, Germany
Died	25 September 1944 (1944-09-26) (aged 24) near Moers, Germany
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Service/branch	Luftwaffe
Years of service	1937–1945
Rank	Major
Unit	LG 1, JG 300
Commands held	1./LG 1, III./JG 300
Battles/wars	World War II Battle of Britain Siege of Malta Mediterranean Theater Defense of the Reich †
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

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—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