Seeking ID of airfield in these two eBay photos circa June-July 1940
 

Hello,

We've completed a total of nine a/c profiles and inserts for the a/c of Hptm Wilhelm Balthasar during his 1939-40 career for the EoE Project. I'm trying to determine when the light 02 mottle was added to his Bf109E W.Nr. 1559, which he was flying at the time that he was awarded the RK on 14 June 1940 (no mottle at that time).

Two new eBay photos may shed light on this, if I can ID where they were taken. They might have been at Nevers, Rommilly-sur-Seine, Plemetot, Carquebut, Théville or Cherbourg AF where the unit as 1./JG1 (renamed 7./JG27) was based during the period late-June to early July 1940.

A hanger and operations building with the name "Sabina" (Belgian Airlines) are visible in these photos. Who can help me ID the location of these photos, which might help me determine a pretty accurate date for them? Of course, these could have been taken at some other airfield than those listed above where he refueled or visited before he transferred out of the unit in early July, 1940, by which time we know his a/c carried this mottling.

Who can help?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301068227729...729%26_rdc%3D1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301068233592...592%26_rdc%3D1

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator

Re: Seeking ID of airfield in these two eBay photos circa June-July 1940
 

Larry,

the name is actually "SABENA" the acronym of Société Anonyme Belge d'Exploitation de la Navigation Aérienne.

As for the location, maybe Haren-Evere?

Cheers
Marc

Re: Seeking ID of airfield in these two eBay photos circa June-July 1940
 

Marc is right. It is SABENA written on the building and certainly an airfield in Belgique.

You can forget Romilly-sur-Seine (with only one m)

check here for a map of the airfield :

http://www.romilly-aviation.fr/image...9_jpg_view.htm

and read Plumetot rather than Plemetot.

Bertrand

Re: Seeking ID of airfield in these two eBay photos circa June-July 1940
 

Larry,

On the complete left of the picture in the first auction you can see the control tower of the airfield of Evere / Haren.

See also the building on the right of the first picture here

Regards,
Rudi.

Re: Seeking ID of airfield in these two eBay photos circa June-July 1940
 

Thanks Rudi!

Larry, you owe us a beer ;-))

Cheers
Marc

Re: Seeking ID of airfield in these two eBay photos circa June-July 1940
 

Marc-André, Bertrand and Rudi,

Thanx for taking the time to help me. Yes, I misspelled SABENA. I knew better.

Rudi,

Thanx for the connection to the Evere / Haren airfield website, but I'm having trouble matching up the admin building and the hangar from the Balthasar photos to the top photo on the airfield website. I'm not making the match. I do see where it might be on the airfield map, but I can't make the building photos match anything. Can you be more specific on what you think matches?

Did you get the FB I sent you yesterday?

If we do associate this with Evere / Haren Airfield, I still have no idea of when and why Balthasar's Bf109 would have been there. Anyone have any info/ideas on that?

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator

Re: Seeking ID of airfield in these two eBay photos circa June-July 1940
 

Larry,

Balthasar achieved this victory list on 13.06.40. It was his last victory with 1./JG 1 before he became transferred to JFS Werneuchen early July 1940.

These photos were most probably taken during his transfer flight to Werneuchen during a stop at Evere. He must have taken his aircraft with him to Werneuchen, otherwise it is not possible that he continued operation two month later within a different unit (Kommandeur of III./JG 3) with exactly the same aircraft.

At Evere the I./JG 54 was based during July 1940, the “black 4” in the background matches exactly the camouflage and marking style of a 2./JG 54 aircraft.

Re: Seeking ID of airfield in these two eBay photos circa June-July 1940
 

Hi Larry,

I am sure it is the same airfield, the white parapet banding to the section of the building in front of the control is the bit that gives it away. There are differences, concrete hard standing, aerials and missing observation building on the roof and the hanger to the right may well have been a 1930's addition not shown on the other photos.

Looks pretty similar though.

regards

Mark

http://www.forgottenairfields.com/be...vere-s220.html

Some nice photos as well.

http://www.vve-uda.be/Haren_nl.html

Re: Seeking ID of airfield in these two eBay photos circa June-July 1940
 

Hello,

Thanx for all the input. I consider this resolved as probably during the first week of July, 1940, when Balthasar was on his way to his new assignment, having just departed from the position of Sta Kap of 7./JG27 (ex 1./JG1). Gerhard's comments about taking his a/c to the new assignment, and thus explaining how it later turns up in Stab III./JG3, were very helpful for our narrative explaining Balthasar's a/c and his career.

And yes, Marc-André, I'll host you to a beer if you ever visit Boulder, Colorado (USA), right against the foot of the east slope of the Rocky Mountains, which look similar to your Swiss Alps. The difference is we still have bears and mountain lions prowling our yards all the time (except when the bears are in winter hibernation). Sometimes my wife has to chase the bears out of her flower garden.

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator

Re: Seeking ID of airfield in these two eBay photos circa June-July 1940
 

Larry, thanks for your kind offer! I was actually last July in Boulder, to visit the ranch of an important friend of mine, a former Swiss ambassador, in Longmont CO. Will sure warn you more in advance next time;-))

I'll keep an eye on anything which might help you succeed sooner in your grand project!

Cheers
Marc