[SOkland]

Thank you all for your comments, guys.

When Paul Reichardt from 3./JG 5 crashed in the Langenuen fjord 30.03.1942, he was flying a Bf-109 E-7 werknr 4176 (?). The werknr might be 4167 as some of you guys have pointed out. According to «Luftwaffe Fighters and Fighter Bombers Over the Far North” by Kjetil Åkra, the Staffel colours used by 3./JG 5 at this time would be yellow numbers with black outlines.

We found this in the log of one the German ships in the convoy in Langenuen fjord 30.03.1942:

Kriegstagebuch des 11. Minensuchflottille (M-1101) 30.03.1942 : “Jäger Nr. 10 bei Skaarleuchtfeuer im Langenuen abgestürzt und gesunken."

So I figured (perhaps I’m wrong?) that “Gelbe 10” would be the correct marking on the Reichardt’s plane when crashing in the fjord. I was then keen to see if it was possible to find a photo of Bf-109 E7 werknr 4176 with a yellow 10 on it. If there ever was a photo, it should have been taken in early 1942. After JG 5 was established, and of course no later than March 30.

Then a new reply from honourable Leo:

No photo but Gen.Qu. loss report from February 14, 1941 No. 11:
11.2. III./JG 2 Heimatverlust, kein Feindflug Flugplatz Bernay Bauchlandung infolge Bedienungsfehler Bf 109 E-7 4176 60%.

Of course, even if it was the same plane it would not have Gelbe 10 on it in 1941. My fault not to point this out.

In my other thread, asking for info on Paul Reichardt, Leo replied to me, referring to the Gen.Qu. loss report from April 1, 1942:

30.3. I./JG 5 Feindflug Ursache 20 (= Totalverlust ohne Feindeinwirkung) Pl.Qu. 50243/06 Ost Notlandung auf See Bf 109 E-7 4176 100% Gefr Paul Reichert vermisst. Correction from April 14, 1942: Gefr Reichert gefallen.

AND

In "Jagdfliegerverbände" Teil 7 is listed:
30.03.42 3./JG 5 Gefr Paul Reichard + Notwasserung, Pl.Qu. 50243 / 06 Ost, 65 km südlich Bergen, 100% Bf 109 E-7 4167.

So there seems to be mix-up between 4176 and 4167 in the sources, and as mentioned by Sidney, a 60% damage would be a write off for the plane crashing at Bernay in 1941. So it can’t be Reichardt’s plane on 30.03.1942.

Thanks, guys.