Sayn-Wittgenstein had left KG 51 by January 1942, after he had volunteered for the night fighter force and been appointed Staffelkapitän (squadron leader) of the 9./Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 (9./NJG 2-9th Squadron of the 2nd Night Fighter Wing) on 1 November 1941.
Stationed at Gilze-Rijen the order was issued to convert to the Bf 110 night fighter.