Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Hello everyone!

I am currently preparing the Luftwaffe emblems for Maddox Games's next generation flight simulation and want to apply the right emblems in the right spots (as far as that is possible). However there are some issues which have arisen which I cannot answer ony my own and so I am turning towards the combined knowledge of this message board for help. :)
Currently I am using the following literature as sources:

"Jagdfliegerverbände Vol 4/I"
"Jagdfliegerverbände Vol 4/II"
"Jagdwaffe"-Series
"Luftwaffen Embleme 1939 - 1945"
"Das Jagdgeschwader 51 - Eine Bilddokumentation"

Unfortunately these do not answer all questions. They are:

1./JG 26
According to "Jagdfliegerverbände 4/I" the Staffel exchanged its "grasshopper" emblem for the new "Eagle" badge. Was this emblem applied to both sides of the fuselage? Are any photos available which show location and dimensions of the emblem application?

4./JG 26
Is it true that the "Tiger's Head" emblem was applied to the port side of the fuselage only?

6./JG 26
Are there any pictures available showing the application of the "Capricorn" badge to the starboard fuselage side?

Stab III./JG 26
Was the "four-leaf clover" badge applied to both sides of the engine cowling?

8./JG 26
Was the "Adamson" emblem applied to both sides of the fuselage or just the port side?

I./JG 51
Is it correct that the "Chamois" Gruppe badge applied to the port fuselage side only?

1./JG 51
Was the "Mickey Mouse" badge of 1. Staffel carried on the port fuselage sie only?

2./JG 52
I have been unable to determine when the "Rabbatz" emblem was handed over to 5. Staffel. Has there been any "definite date" or did the emblem disappear bit by bit from the Staffel's aircraft? I have various photos showing 2. Staffel aircraft (with black numbers!) carrying the Gruppe badge (as opposed to e.g. Bf 109 E-1 "Red 14" of Uffz. Leo Zaunbrecher, bellied August 12 1940).

4./JG 52
Was the Staffel badge applied to the starboard fuselage side only? I seem to find only photos showing the starboard - nothing from port. :confused:

5./JG 52
Was the "Rabbatz" badge applied to both sides of the engine cowling (practice of 2./JG 52 would indicate that). Are there any photos available showing a thusly marked aircraft from 5. Staffel?

III./JG 52
"Jagdwaffe - Attack in the West" has a 9./JG 52 aircraft sporting the "Winterfeld Wolf" (as Bernd Barbas called it) badge on the engine cowling. However all pictures of III./JG 52 (again only 9./JG 52) from their admittedly short performance against Britain show a complete lack of markings. Did all of III./JG 52 delete the badge or was that limited to 9./JG 52? Are there any photos of aircraft belonging to Stab III., 7. or 8./JG 52 available?

That's the first batch of questions with more to follow (as the Kampfflieger, Zerstörer, Aufklärer and "misc units" are still to be made :sadeyes: ). Thanks in advance! :)

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

A couple of points, outside the immediate context of your questions, but worth stating here while I remember:
1) The Erptrobungsgruppe 210 emblem did NOT appear in a shield during the Battle of Britain. That only came about when the SKG 210 came into existence in 1941.
2) 3./Erprobungsgruppe 210 did NOT carry the emblem ascribed to it on the last page of Teil 4/II. No emblem was carried on the Bf 109 E-4/Bs of 3rd Staffel.

Hope this helps.

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Thx, Mr. Vasco! So it's just the "British Isles" with the crosshair? ... *hints noted* :)

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Yes. This is it:

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/3093/s9ck003zr7.jpg

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Hello Christian,

These are all very good points that you have addressed.

a. 1./JG 26 - there are very few photos showing this particular emblem, and they are invariably taken from the port side. The emblem dimensions were significant, estimated at 350x600mm (WxH)- from that perspective it is reasonable to believe that the emblem was applied on the aircraft port side only, or otherwise it would have taken too much of the 'black men' precious free time.

b. 4./JG 26 - Widely publicised by the British and American press, Horst Perez's aircraft sported the emblem on the port side only. The emblem was hand- painted, and probably quite time consuming to apply, so my vote is - in general, the port side only (note that exceptions are always possible).

c. 6./JG 26 - Yes, there are a few.

d. Stab III./JG 26 - not clear from the available photographic evidence. Karl Ries reported it on both sides of the aircraft.

e. 8./JG 26 - I believe on the port side only because of its dimensions.

f. I./JG 51 - I firmly believe so, and there is no photographic evidence to prove otherwise.

g. 1./JG 51 - if the Gruppe emblem was applied on the port side of the aircraft, it is reasonable to believe that the same applies to the Staffel emblems. Furthermore, there is no photographic evidence to prove otherwise.

h. 2./JG 52 - I do not think that the 'Rabbatz' ever belonged to 2./JG 52. The hastily formed 11.(N)/JG 72 was renamed 5./JG 52 directly, and equipped with the Bf-109s much to the pilots' relief.

i. 4./JG 52 - both sides of the fuselage to the best of my knowledge - see "Jagdfliegerverbände Vol 2 - der Sitzkrieg"

j. 5./JG 52 - In, I believe, "Jagdfliegerverbände Vol 2 - der Sitzkrieg" there is a photo showing a 5./JG 52 Bf-109 collision, which would indicate that the emblem, in its initial form at least, was applied on the port side only. Following the introduction of the Geschwader emblem (winter 1940/41 or early 1941), all Staffel emblems were much reduced in size, simplified or overpainted altogether. It is thus possible that the later version of the 5./JG 52 emblem was applied on both sides of the aircraft.

k. III./JG 52 - The 'Jagdwaffe - Attack in the West' reference might be incorrect. It is thought that the early Gruppe emblem was introduced by the new Gruppekommandeur, Hptm. Alexander von Winterfeldt, following their withdrawal from the front-line duty, possibly as morale-booster.

Hope that the above is useful.

Regards,
Sidney

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

I'm currently a bit too busy to answer in detail, but I've seen your input. Thx, Sidney! :)

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Christian,

Regarding item a), I have photos showing both White 5 and 13 with the 1 Staffel eagle emblem on both sides of the fuselage. These were apparently taken during the French Campaign (W5) and the the FC and Battle of Britain (W13). I also have photos of it on White 6 and 11, although these only show the port side. So, it is pretty clear that it was likely used on all or most 1 Staffel aircraft, although for a fairly limited period of time, namely, the last six months or so of 1940.

Regards

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Christian,

b) I have many images of 4./JG 26 a/c during the BoB period and none of them carry a tiger's head on the starboard side.

c) There are examples of the 6./JG26 insignia on the starboard side of aircraft in 1939 and comtemporary to the French Campaign of 1940. I did not find any specificly that could be identified during the BoB period, although I would be very surprised if there weren't some.

d) I know of only two aircraft in the Stab of III./JG 26 for which photos are available depicting this clover insignia, Schöpfel's Gr Kdr a/c, and Müncheberg's Adjutant a/c, with a "13" in the middle of the clover. I know of no other examples of this.

Regards,

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Christian,

You are welcome.

Larry,

It is unlikely that the eagle emblem of 1./JG 26 dates back to the French campaign since it is believed that the emblem was introduced by Oblt. Heinrici who took the command sometimes in September 1940.

Is there any chance you can post a low resolution photo showing the said emblem on the starboard side of the aircraft?

Regards,
Sidney

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Thx everyone for the input. I'll adjust my "instructions" for the programmers accordingly. And to show what this inquiry is about ... :wave:

http://home.arcor.de/csthor/bilder/1JG26.png

http://home.arcor.de/csthor/bilder/2_JG3.png
http://home.arcor.de/csthor/bilder/5JG51.png

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Coming in late on this thread I however start with your first badge, which I suppose is the one you have on top among the three posted here:

a) 1./JG 26

Axel Urbanke wrote an interesting article in "Luftwaffe im Focus - Edition6/2004, page 32-33, based on a port side photo of "White 6" of 1./JG 26, taken after a belly landing in France clearly showing the emblem under the cockpit.

The photo shows that it is not an eagle as published in several books but rather a mythological winged animal reminding of a Bavarian "Wolperdinger" which is a mythical creature of which the origins is a mystery according to Urbanke. (The head somewhat reminding of a combination of a lynx and an owl in my opinion.)

Urbanke further dismisses Caldwells claims in "The JG 26 War Diary" that the emblem was not introduced until September 1940 by Oblt. Henricki as the photo in the article shows a Bf 109 E-1 with pre-BoB camouflage and markings, believing it was taken latest mid-August - before Oblt. Henricki joined the unit. Photos confirm the use of the emblem until at least September 1941 according to Urbanke.

I find that the photos in the article confirms Urbankes description of the emblem, which is also represented with a drawing.

No comment on starboard side usage in the article.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...lem1JG26_1.jpg

I hope Mr Axel Urbanke excuses me for posting the "artists impression" from the article depicting the emblem on the aircraft in question. If not - I will delete it.

Adding a photo from eBay sales some time ago showing the emblem very similar to the emblem on the Bf 109 published in Luftwaffe im Focus Ed.6/2004, which photo however is sharper than this photo:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...blemucockp.jpg

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Hello,

Unfortunately, I have not time to post a photo of the eagle insignia, as I leave for Europe on a three-week research trip in just a few hours and am intensely busy getting ready.

The most important comment is that the "eagle" emblem that you have posted is incorrect. Forget all the Urbanke "Luftwaffe im Focus" posts: they are wrong. The eagle's head is bent down to the side, and this has led to Urbanke's incorrect interpretation of what it looks like. Others that watch this board can confirm this. An original lapel pin of this has been located, and the correct position and shape of the head is known. This IS an eagle. Yes, the photo of "White 2," is another example of the use of this emblem. I don't have time to write a long explanation, but this insignia was used during the French Campaign, with two of my photo examples dating to that period and it does appear on 1 Staffel aircraft from that period, including Henrici's aircraft, "White 13."

That's all I have time for at the moment.

Regards,

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Dear John Vasco,
gentlemen,

just to avoid a misunderstanding - in JFV 4/II we did not state that the emblem shown on page 425 was actually applied to the a/c of 3./210 during the time covered in that volume; based on photos of vehicles of the Staffel which still carried the emblem of the former 4. (T)/186 and which were taken during the BoB period in France, we included the emblem emphasising at the same time that the use on a/c is as yet not proven.

Regards

Jochen Prien

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Jochen,

I was only going on what Hintze and Emmerich told me during my research into 210 regarding the lack of an emblem on 3. Staffel aircraft.

I take your point about the emblem not being applied to aircraft, but on looking at that last page in Teil 4/II, I think (I may be wrong here) all the other emblems were carried on aircraft. I can fully understand that 4./186 would take their ground personnel with them on being re-designated 3./210, and moving to Denain. It would make no sense to strip them of the complete back-up team and re-constitute a new one at Denain. Thanks for adding that information.

My best to you Jochen (and give that Hickey guy a hard time if you are meeting him on the European trip!)

John V.

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

John,

thanks, and as for that Hickey guy - yes, I will try my best.


Cheers

Jochen

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Gladiator,

I do not know where Mr. Urbanke got his references from, but... it should be fairly obvious that the 1./JG 26 emblem (later) motif represents a bird, and not a mythical creature from the Bavarian Alps.

The wings are that of an eagle, while the birds head might be open for interpretation in the absence of a close-up photo.

In my personal opinion, the bird's head does not look like an eagle's head.

Best Regards,
Sidney

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

I find the 1./JG 26 emblem discussion interesting.

I would not discard Mr. Axel Urbanke’s article as easy as Larry Hickey suggests. If having good photos of the emblem available it would be interesting to see them posted here, Larry!
A picture of the lapel-pin would also be interesting to see.

Sidney, I am also posting the part of the photo of “White 6” showing the “Eagle-emblem” as published in Mr. Urbanke’s article. The artist’s impression reproduction of the emblem in the article I refer to and posted earlier, is obviously based on this photo. What other references Mr. Urbanke has used is not mentioned in the article, neither his source of the Bavarian “Wolperdinger” theory. We better invite Axel to explain by himself!

Some Wolperdinger or Wolpertinger background here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolpertinger

The mythical creature can obviously show a lot of variation which is obvious after some minutes of “Googling”!

Part of photo from Mr. Urbanke’s article showing the emblem:
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...6_emblem_2.jpg

Part of previously posted photo of “White 2” and the emblem:
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...emucockp_2.jpg

Studying this photo and the photo from eBay I have posted does in my opinion not represent a typical eagle. The proportions are strange and in particular the body part shows no resemblance with an eagle in both the posted examples. There are many examples of eagles used in unit emblems and heraldry since at least the days of the Roman Empire – But this emblem does not immediately switch on the “Eagle recognition mode” in my brain, despite having been very close to real live eagles several times in nature.

Before discarding the theory presented in Mr. Urbanke’s article it would be interesting to see more photos. Anyone?

I was initially only quoting from Mr. Urbankes article and I am not defending the “Wolperdinger” theory in absurdum here. It would however be interesting to dig a bit deeper, as the two photos I have posted here indicates that an alternative interpretation could find some support by the fact that neither of them are particularly good representations of an eagle.

Being a “Wolperdinger” inspired emblem or not, in my eyes it is not a typical eagle, and if it is intended to represent an eagle it would be interesting to know what had inspired to this strange variant.

Br/Gladiator

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Artist's leeway ... That's what I'd call it. ;)

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Hi,

I also saw the photos from Larry collections and I can support his opinion. For me the emblem on the white 6 is just unfinished. Nothing more as eagle without head.

Regards

Robert

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Thank you Robert!
It would be good to see more photos. They are not exactly common in publications.

I contemplated on if the emblem paint could have been abrased by wear and details lost, alternatively not fully completed. The bird wings seem to have been painted with the help of a stencil, but the details and body/head might have been added by free hand painting?
The painted area where the body and head should be still looks out of proportions to me.....

Still, if there is a good photo of the "eagle" in mint condition it would be nice to see........

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Gladiator,

The posted photo is in fact excellent. The first one that enabled me to see the emblem in more details.

Having seen the photo, I would like to correct myself - it does look like an eagle to me now.

Regards,
Sidney

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Thanks Sidney. Well, if I knew the answer from knowing the key or taken from the answer book I would also say "Eagle".
Knowing the time period and it being a German figher ac I could also suspect it to be an "Eagle" for various reasons.
Studying the two images I have posted on the other hand, indicates an attempt to illustrate a bird of some species, showing a body and a head which in my opinion shows no remblence with an eagle at all in this version.
(More like a ruffed up seagull with the body of a bat or small owl!)
The reason can be, as I wrote before, that it either is not completed or because it has been worn off to the degree that the original masterpiece has deteriorated to a blur where the body and head is supposed to be.

I am sure this will in the end to be proven to be an "Eagle". Hopefully someone will also be posting a good photo in the end.
Anyone sitting on a unique original photo of this emblem not wanting to publish/post it? Please contact me off board- I might perhaps buy it and post it if it doesn't cost the space shuttle.

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Hello again,
This is the photo from Donald Caldwell's "The JG 26 War Diary Vol 1" which probably gave the foundation for the view that emblem is representing an eagle.

Here the white body and head of a bird can be traced. As European eagles does not typically have white bodies and heads it would be intereting to know what the inspiration behind this emblem was. American..... Or can it still be that it is another bird than an eagle which inspired to this emblem?

Thanks for your patience with my questions.
Goran

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

How about an owl?

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Hi Franek,

nice joke....

Regards

Robert

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

With the best will available I do not see any eagle nor winged rabbit, and attacking owl seems an option being a very popular bird.

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

I have seen better photos so there is no option for owl.

Robert

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

I trust you have a very good picture memory Robert, but would it possible for you to make arrangements to see one of these 'better photos" for our enlightment on this subject, preferrably posted for others to create their own opinion? I understand from your answers that these "better photos" are not in your possession but you seem to be in a good relation to the owner(s).

I can understand that some might find it a bit irritating, even stupid, to bring up long established "facts", regarding Luftwaffe emblems for discussion, but I suppose this is one of the reasons why forums like this exist - for learning and also sometimes to test old dogma around luftwaffe camouflage and markings and other subjects which are far from fully explored yet.
I learn something every day I visit this forum and I love it!

Regarding this emblem, which I have been posting pictures of, I have so far learnt that:

1.Good pictures are scarce.
2.Pictures I have posted indicates that the emblem might have been photographed in both finished and not yet fininshed versions - some alternatively possibly abrased by wear.
3.Someone (Larry??) owns better pictures but they have not yet been published - not to my knowledge at least.
4.Axel Urbanke published an alternative explanation of what the emblem depicts in "Luftwaffe im Focus", which by some forum participants has been bluntly turned down.
5.The background story of the emblem, it's inspiration and why it replaced the "Grasshopper" emblem has not yet been explained.
6. Date of it's introduction is not known for certain.

.......and as you have noticed I have objections against the emblem resembling an eagle! It might have been intended to represent an eagle, but it doesn't look like one or at least is a very untypical representation of the well known bird - All according to my own eyes of course!

Based on the above findings 1-6, I conclude that there is a lot more to learn again. Fine!

However, as I in my hobbies as well as in my occupation for a living, usually do not take all "facts" at face value, I kindly ask anyone who has any substantial evidence supporting fact based answers regarding this emblem to share them with us in order to increase our knowledge.

I am fully aware of that much has been lost over the passing 67 years since 1940, but still surprisingly much material previously unseen surfaces today!

(When I started getting interested in Luftwaffe markings in the 1960's I could never dream of the amount of publications coming out forty years later and the detailed information available, as already by then WW2 was something way back in time in my mind and anticipating much was already lost for ever. For those who were not around or old enough to read books at that time, go and check what was available and published in 1965 and compare with today. Amazing development!)

Again, I am looking for sources, including photographic material, regarding this emblem explaining it's origin, motif and use.

Cheers to all participating in the discussion!
Goran

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Gladiator,

On a closer look, it looks to me like a body of a seagull (would refer to the contemporary theatre of operation) with the eagle's wings attached to it(Luftwaffe).

If you take into account that the Staffel was based nearby the cliffs on the French side of the Channel because of the Bf-109's limited endurance, and that it had to fly its missions over the Channel to reach England - the seagull, a bird that dominates such environment, sounds quite plausible.

Thanks again for the photo.

Regards,
Sidney

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Goran,

The exact details of the 1./JG26 emblem are attached. I cannot offer you any photos but the form is taken from the Staffel stick-pin of Gustav Kemen who was captured on 14 August 1940.

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

...Another possible explanation would be that the emblem artist used the colour white for the presentation purposes only - in order to make the bird's body visible against its wings and tail in black.

Still looks to me like a cross between the said two birds of prey.

Sidney

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Thank you for the picture Peter, very much appreciated!

Studying this variant I find that it shows some differences to the versions seen on the photos I have posted on this thread:

• The shape of the wings is different. The aircraft versions have more elongated wings with markedly more pointed tips.

• The position the wings are shown is different. The needle has an obvious U-shaped area between the wings which is different on the aircraft versions and more V-shaped.

• The position of the head differs as the aircraft versions tend to show a head, or what ought to be intended to be a head at least, above an imaginary horizontal line where the body ends.

The pin version showing a head turned down below the above mentioned line.

When the emblem is painted on the fuselage it seems that a white background has been added to make the emblem stand out, this giving the aircraft version bird wings look as they have white wing primaries and secondaries tips.

The drawing based on the pin is an interesting addition to understanding the emblem.

Another conclusion is that the actual emblem as seen on the 109s or as per the pin are quite different from the version commonly seen in print, for example in "Luftwaffen Embleme 1939-1945" by Ketley and Rolfe, p.49. This "litterature version" is also posted further back on this thread for comparison.

There is also a small (very small?) chance that the eagle pin found on the pilot was coincidential and had nothing to do with the unit emblem, even if most Luftwaffe afficienados would turn that objection down, though I believe a skilled attorney could achieve it receiving "Circumstantial evidence" status at most in front of a court! :rolleyes:

Thanks again Peter!
Cheers!
Goran

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Goran,

You may accept it or reject it - that's your call. All I can tell you is that the pin came from that pilot. Paint on the fuselage or enamel on a pin are both subject to differences in interpretation I guess.

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

It is likely that there is a connection between the image copied from the pin and the unit emblem. I'd say they are similar but different.

So far an important conclusion from both the pin image and the emblems from aircraft pictures posted, is that the emblem does not look like the published work I refer to in my previous post.

Thanks again for sharing.
Goran

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Hello,

I'm sending this "from the road" on my trip to Europe. After several days in France, I've had a chance to catch up with this discussion. This emblem IS and eagle. Think an American bald eagle with a white head. The head is not in a conventional pose, but the white head is turned at an angle to the left and pointing downward, like the eagle is looking at something below him. I've seen another example of this in Germany that absolutely confirms for me that this is an eagle. I also have many photos of the aircraft of 1./JG 26 during the spring-summer of 1940, and am very familiar with the dating of these photos by markings and camouflage patterns. There are at least three photos of 1./JG26 aircraft carrying this during the French Campaign. I probably have a half dozern photos now of Henrici's aircraft during the May-August, 1940 period, including a good copy of Don Caldwell's photos (thanks Don!).

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Hello,

I'm sending this "from the road" on my trip to Europe. After several days in Belgium and France, I'm back in Holland, and I've had a chance to catch up with this discussion. This emblem IS an eagle. Think an American bald eagle with a white head. The head is not in a conventional pose, but the white head is turned at an angle to the left and pointing downward at an oblique angle, like the eagle is looking at something below him and to the left from the viewer's point of view. I've seen another example of this in Germany that absolutely confirms for me that this is an eagle. I don't own this image, so I can't post it, even when I return to the US on the 15th. I also have several photos of the aircraft of 1./JG 26 during the spring-summer of 1940, and am very familiar with the dating of these photos by markings and camouflage patterns. I've been studying this subject for almost 50 years. There are at least three photos of 1./JG26 aircraft carrying this during the French Campaign. I probably have a half dozern photos now of Henrici's aircraft (White 13) during the May-August, 1940 period, including a good copy of Don Caldwell's photos (thanks Don!). Since Henrici is purported to be the designer of the image for use by the staffel, its use and appearance on his aircraft should be pretty definitive for the time period of its early use. This is a settled issue as far as I'm concerned.

Regards,

Larry Hickey

Re: Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era
 

Thank you Larry,

I am truly grateful for your input.

Looking forward to take part of the photos you refer to, if possible.

I am further interested in understanding what binds Henrici to the allegation of being “purported to be the designer of the image” as you claim.
Axel Urbanke in the article published in “Luftwaffe im Focus ed. 6/2004” refers to that Caldwell in “The JG 26 War Diary” vol. 1 claim that he took over from 8 September 1940. (page. 98, in photo caption he mentions no date but that Henrici took over 1./Staffel replacing the earlier “Grasshopper” emblem, and on p.326 Appendix II, “JG 26 Commanders 1936-1942”, he is stating 9 September 1940 as the day Henrici took over the Staffel (Pages according to my copy from Grub Street, London, 1996 issue.)
You state that photos actually show Henrici’s Bf 109 adorned with this eagle emblem between May and August 1940.
It would be nice to see these photos, if possible.

If Henrici used this emblem himself, for any good reason, before he took over the Staffel it is of course circumstantial evidence that he actually introduced it to 1./JG 26 when he took over.


Another aspect is the original or the inspiration to the emblem.

I find it rather unique that an American eagle species, or eagle emblem, would be the inspiration to a Luftwaffe emblem and I can not verify one single Third Reich era Luftwaffe emblem being inspired by an American eagle species so far. Please correct me. The eagle as a symbol in unit badges and heraldic is plethora in the Third Reich and also before in Germany, but not American eagles.

I claim there is no tradition of using American eagles in the Third Reich era Luftwaffe unit emblems.

(It would be interesting to know more about the reference you make in your reply Larry to that “I've seen another example of this in Germany that absolutely confirms for me that this is an eagle”)

I find it hard to believe that the Lafayette Escadrille emblems of WW1 would be seen as appropriate in the Third Reich. Or?
An interesting observation compromising my theory is that at least one Fw 190 A-8 of 13./JG 54 carried an “Navajo Chief” Indian head, possibly from the end of August 1944.
This information is taken from an article by Leonard Beitler and Axel Urbanke in “Luftwaffe im Focus Edition 5/2004, page 24-28”. On the other hand, Jazz music from USA was not seen as proper in Germany during the Third Reich era but was played anyway from time to time!

I observed that an image based on a pin sent by Peter Petrick to “Luftwaffe im Focus”, was published and commented on in Edition 8/2005, page 3, which I should have noticed earlier. This is the image similar to the one referring to the pin image posted also on this forum.

Larry, I am truly thankful for your reply and I understand and appreciate that you have studied the subject for 50 years – Here I appear as “the Devil’s Advocate” in testing the proof of the evidence in a way.

To me some findings are obvious after this dialogue:

• The emblem, as published in previous drawings and profiles, is not correct.
• The photos show varying images and possibly design variations of the emblem
• The “pin image” and the 1./JG 26 unit emblem in question are not identical
• The true original or master of this emblem is still hidden in the mist.
• I am probably a pain in the ### asking all these questions and posting again.

More photos and original material can possibly finally clarify this subject, if published.

I just want to ascertain the evidence behind the emblem, its design and its history.

Cheers
Goran Larsson