Three Luftwaffe Aces from 7./JG 53

Three of the most successful pilots of 7.Staffel / III.Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53) "Pik-As" pose for the camera at the conclusion of the French campaign in June 1940, having each just been awarded with the Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse. They are, from left to right, Oberfeldwebel Franz Götz (who was credited with five confirmed and two unconfirmed victories during the campaign), Leutnant Heinz Altendorf (four victories) and Unteroffizier Hermann Neuhoff (seven victories). Amazingly, all three survived the war, with Götz and Neuhoff subsequently receiving the Ritterkreuz. Like Altendorf, Neuhoff was forced down behind enemy lines and captured – he crashlanded on Malta on 10 April 1942.

Source :
"Jagdgeschwader 53 'Pik'As' Bf 109 Aces of 1940" by Chris Goss & Chris Davey