Between June 1942 and March 1945 Wolfgang Schnaufer shot down a confirmed total of 121 British bombers during 164 night missions. He flew his operations from Venlo and Leeuwarden and later became the "Night Ghost of St. Trond" as he was known by the British aircrews. On 16 October 1944 he was awarded the highest military award, the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, after attaining 100 night victories.