[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

I should have read further in the de Zeng/Stankey book referenced above, because this explains the photo mystery. On the notes on P.146 it says that the codes for Stab III./StG77 up to July, 1942, were "F1+_C." After that date, they were "S2+_D." I've assumed that the photo in question shows S2+AC, but in fact the Gesch code isn't clear, but must be F1+AC. and the photo taken in Russia sometime up to July, 1942. This would have been Bode's GrKdr aircraft. This doesn't explain why III./StG77 aircraft from the unit's inception to July, 1942, carried codes that would normally indicate a II. Gr unit, but at least it explains the markings of the Ju87B in the photo. It should be noted that the change over to S2+_D, which would be the normally expected code for III./StG77 Stab aircraft happened at about the same time as Bode ended his command of the unit.

I should also note that Oblt. Dietrich Pelz was acting Gr. Kdr. of III./StG77 for a short time during the unit's formation in June, 1940, before Hptm Bode took over in July, and apparently presided over the full formation and organization of the unit, which subsequently participated in the Battle of Britain.

As a further note, John Weal in his Osprey book, "Junkers Ju 87" P.62, appears to have gotten the markings on this aircraft correct in his profile representing Bode's aircraft during August, 1940, although the blue for the top part of the unit insignia isn't dark enough on my scan of this profile (or my screen isn't adjusted correctly for displaying blue tones).

I suspect that Larry de Zeng has a better grasp of the question about II Gr codes on a III Gr unit for III./StG77 than anyone, and I hope that he will address (and hopefully resolve) that question.

Regards,