Bf 109 740 xxx and 748 xxx production batch
 

Gentlemen,

While reading updates in Nick Beale Ghost Bomber site I found a Bf 109 G-6 WNr.740723 damaged on ground during the Nancy raid of 25-May-1944.
1/ With such high number I was astonished to find a Bf 109 G-6. Looking in Production batches I have … I found no 740 xxx whatsoever.
2/ In the mean time I have two others: 740001 and 740071 fished in lostaircraft.com site indicated as Bf 109 G-4s, BUT said “most probably Bf 110 G-4”! (sic)

SO! Do we have a Bf 109 740 xxx production batch or not???
Same question for 748 xxx since I have a Bf 109G-14/AS WNr.748 111.

Thanks in advance for any help/comments you will kindly provide.

BR, Franck.

Re: Bf 109 740 xxx and 748 xxx production batch
 

740723 should obviously be 440723.
740001 and 740071 are definitely Bf 110 G4.
So, no 740xxx production batch for Bf 109.

Also 748111 cannot be Bf 109 Werk.-Nr. Should obviously be 784111.

Matti

Re: Bf 109 740 xxx and 748 xxx production batch
 

@ Franck,

by checking the data base entry at lostaircraft.com You referred to, You may find under "Bemerkungen" a special notice that fits Your and Matti's doubtful remarks:

Crash landing.
Based on the Werknummer it should be a Me Bf 110 G-4 instead of a Me Bf 109 G-4.
(free translated)

Best Regards
Norbert

Re: Bf 109 740 xxx and 748 xxx production batch
 

@Matti Thank you.
@Norbert Thank you. I translated by "BUT said “most probably Bf 110 G-4" in my post #1.

Thanks pals! will never ask again! :)

Regards, Franck.

PS: I'm going to correct this bloody mess, right now!

Re: Bf 109 740 xxx and 748 xxx production batch
 

Matti may well be right but it was more common to confuse a "7" with a "1", due to the German style of handwriting where the "1" can have a long serif at the top. Most such mistakes seem to have originated at the German end when the message was written out for the cipher clerk to send.

Re: Bf 109 740 xxx and 748 xxx production batch
 

Hello,

You're certainly right due to your long experience in that field Nick.

Note that 140723 doesn't match with any batch; but if that so the error has been done twice; hence 140123, which is a true possibility, but all numbers I have in that batch are in 1943.

In the mean time
440 712/714/725 (the closest I found among a long list) were in III./JG 26 during the same period ...

I'm going to keep the original WNr. as in report, Matti's strong suggestion and yours.

Thanks again Nick.

BR, Franck.

Re: Bf 109 740 xxx and 748 xxx production batch
 

@ all,

if anyone is able to name the correct Werknummer in the data-sheet at lostaircraft.com we were talking about, please feel free to do so. Joining in there as a registered member is as easy as taking candy from a baby. There are also a lot of experts and enthusiasts registered - just like in this forum (with the exception of my person :)), and some guys from here are already active over there as well.

Best Regards
Norbert

Re: Bf 109 740 xxx and 748 xxx production batch
 

I had WNr. 740723 in my db as well, but I also had a FB entry for WNr. 440723 that should help confirm Matti's conclusion.

Bf 109G-6, 740723, ./., , III., 9., JG 26, weiße, 1 + |, , , 25-May-44, Bombenwurf., , FR, Beale, http://www.ghostbombers.com/miscellany/raid/raid_1.html, , Fl.Pl. Nancy, b, F, , 07.39~,

Bf 109G-6, 440723, KEMETHMÜLLER, Ofhr. Heinz, 89, III., 9., JG 26, weiße, 1 + |, , , 10-Apr-44, Transit flight to Etain on this date.., RK., FR, FB H. Kemethmüller, , Fl.Pl. Vendeville, -, H, , ,

Re: Bf 109 740 xxx and 748 xxx production batch
 

Thank you Jim.

Matti wrote "obviously"!..

Regards, Franck.

Re: Bf 109 740 xxx and 748 xxx production batch
 

The KEMETHMÜLLER FB entry kinda puts an amen to Matti's statement.