[F19Gladiator]

Bf 109 G-2 “White Tripple Chevron 4” findings 1.

I have here compiled a summary of some of my findings regarding this aircraft in order to see if I can link it to the information forwarded by Stefaan that the photo he kindly posted was taken in the area of Mersa Matruh towards the end of 1942.
Time and place indicated by a note on the souvenir taken from the Ju 88 L1+EH, “White E” seen in the background of the photo of this Bf 109 G-2.

Which Luftwaffe Unit?

I have come to the conclusion that Stab/JG 77 is the unit.

1. Time, unit, location comparison:
Stab/JG 2 Was not in the desert and only 9-23 November 1942 in the Mediterranean area.
Stab/JG 3 Was not in the N.African zone but stayed in Bari in Italy in the beginning of 1942.
Stab/JG 53 arrived to Tunis, El Aouina 09.11.42 and never flew over the deserts over Egypt and Libya. Leaves only Stab/JG 27 and Stab/JG 77
Only Stab/JG 27 and Stab/JG 77 of the Geschwader Stab units were on the African continent and active over Egypt/Libya in the end of 1942.


2.. Bf 109 variant used in the end of 1942
Stab/JG 27: Only Bf 109 F-4 trop variant
Stab/JG 77: Only Bf 109 G-2 trop variant. Newly received for the African mission.

3. Stab markings
Stab/JG 27:Black Chevron(s), but not together with black number.
Ex. < | + -.
White outlines of chevron
Space after fuselage cross showing horizontal bar

Stab/JG 77:White Chevron(s) together with white number
Black outline of Chevron
Ex < 3+

4. Theater markings
Stab/JG 77 and Stab/JG 27 were very similar:

White fuselage band right after fuselage Balkenkreuz. (Section 6)
White wing tips upper/lower
White propeller spinner
Yellow lower engine cowling with most 109s

5. Camouflage:
Stab/JG 77 and Stab/JG 27 had very similar standard 78/79 camouflage

6. Unit badge on cowling or elsewhere
Can not be confirmed with Stab/JG 27 or Stab/JG 77 during this period.

As a conclusion according to the above only Stab/JG 77 flew G-2 with white Chevron markings during this time in this area.
(JG 53ruled out because of geographical operational area, camouflage and markings during this period. (I have decided not to go into detail on JG 53 here to save text space))

Source:
Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 8/I and 8/II ” By Prien et al.


Stab/JG 77 Movements.

I made a map to show Stab/JG77 movements in Nov – Dec 1942 and also to locate findings of some aircraft and reports of damaged/missing aircraft.
Map markings are by me but the original map is a part of a map from “Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 8/I ” By Prien et al.

Stab/JG 77 most probably arrived to N. Africa on 03.11.42 from Italy. After arrival the unit soon had to withdraw towards the west after the El Alamein battle.

1.Bir–el-Abd 03.11.42 – 05.11.42
2.Gambut 05.11.42 – 09.11.42
3.Bir el Arca 09.11.42 – 11.11.42
4.Martuba 11.11.42 – 13.11.42
5.Berca 13.11.42 – 14.11.42
6.Arco Philaenorum 14.11.42 – 15.12.42
7.Wadi Tamet 15.12.42 – 19.12.42
8.Tauorga 19.12.42 – 25.12.42
9.Bir Dufan 25.12.42 – 31.12.42

Air fields No1 to 7 are marked by me on the map with red dots/numbers.



The only air field around Mersa Matruh is:
1.Bir–el-Abd 03.11.42 – 05.11.42

Source:
Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 8/II ” By Prien et al.


Stab/JG77 Damages/Losses

According to „Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 Teil 8/II“ By Prien et al.:

Five Bf 109 G-2 trop reported damaged or lost 01.11.42-31.12.42

Place Damage W.Nr.
A. 04.11.42 Air battle Bir el Abd Crash landing 100% 10508
B. 04.11.42 Landing gear dam Bir el Abd Blown up/evacuation 100% 10501
C. 01.12.42 Landing acc. Arco Philaenorum 25%. <<<+ 10645
D. 09.12.42 Landing acc. Arco Philaenorum 65% 10602
E 10.12.42 Air battle Arco Philaenorum 35% crash landing 10725
Hit in engine

Note: Letters A to E are map references in Yellow dots

How does the data correlate with the Mersa Matruh area theory then?

A.The only Stab/JG 77 air field in the Mersa Matruh area is:

1.Bir–el-Abd 03.11.42 – 05.11.42

B.The only two 109s at Bir-el-Abd possible is W.Nr. 10501 and 10508

W.Nr.10508
Reported as crash-landed after air battle and damaged 100%. This does not fit with the appearance of “Tripple Chevron 4” which seems to be in better condition.

W.Nr.10501
This aircraft received damage to the landing gear and was reported as blown up when evacuating the field.
However there are other examples of aircraft reported blown up but actually found intact, why it can not be excluded that this was also the case with 10501.
The pictures show a damaged landing gear leg but no “Battle damage”.

In my opinion a very possible candidate.

Comment:
Aircraft “C” above is listed as having marking “White <<<+”. No Number “4” mentioned.
<<<4+ can well be another aircraft than <<<+, which has also been discussed earlier.

Conclusion:

If the information linking the photo Stefaan posted to Mersa Matruh area is to rely on, I find that W.Nr. 10501 is the likely candidate and that it was in fact not blown up during the retreat as reported.

Some other comments on recent postings:

Thanks for the Ju 88 comment Brettas.
This is a decal sheet for "The other Ju 88 L1+EH" I mentioned before. Allegedly from Benghazi, according to the decal sheet, which is near Berca air field at spot "Red 5" on the map I have posted.

This picture is from Aircam Aviation Series No S6 Vol 1, Martin Windrow, 197x. Image from IWM.



The remains of the yellow tailband is from this unit's previous service on the Balkans. (Ref. Luftwaffe Camouflage and Markings 1933-1945 vol 2, p. 326, K.A. Merrick, Classic)

,I believe Melacha is one of the sattelite air fields near Arco Philaenorum. Stig Jarlevik commented on this theory earlier on this thread.

Stefaan, Thanks again for posting a better copy! Yes, it seems to be a G-2 trop. I do not have the Landing Ground XX data/map handy. Sorry. Perhaps the names of the three fields marked near Mersa Matruh: Mumin Busak, Bir el Abd, El Daba, Turbia, Quotaifiya, Fuka, Tanyet Harun, Quasaba etc can be of assistance? Note that the spelling sometimes differs between different map sources.

Photo of <<<4 - hints
The photos show that this 109 is equipped with a drop tank under the belly.

See the photo from "Aircraft of the Luftwaffe Fighter Aces I", P.153, Schiffer by Barbas:


W.Nr. 10501 is reported on 04.11.42 as having damaged the landing gear (Later reported as being blown up when retreating), which is the day after Stab/JG 77 is to have arrived from Bari, Italy.

It is possible that this damage occurred during landing after the relocation flight, arriving from Italy equipped with long range auxiliary tanks for crossing the Mediterranean.

The Luftwaffe was under heavy pressure from Allied forces including air strikes as a consequence of the Allied supremacy in the air at this point in time, why I believe it would be unlikely that a Bf 109 in this area at this time would land with an attached drop tank after a mission, supporting my theory that the accident happened when landing after a transfer flight.

As Arco Philanenorum (Br. “Marble Arch” LG) is suggested as the place this aircraft was found, also supported by reference to the fact that a “<<<4” (Without “4”) W.Nr. 10645 of Stab/JG 77 was reported as suffering 25% damage after a landing accident, I doubt that a Bf 109 at that time would be flying and landing with a drop tank attached given the war scenario. This is also more than two weeks after the unit moved to this field from Berca why a transfer flight reason for a drop tank is not reasonable. (The distance between Berca and Arco P. did by the way not necessitate a drop tank for a transfer flight).
Missions from Arco P. was also restricted due to lack of spare parts and fuel (ref 2, p.262), further making even the existence of a drop tank less likely.

I can not identify any signs of battle damage on the photographs of this aircraft.

As a conlusion from the above, even if only circumstantial evidence, I lean towards that this photo showing the drop tank in place under the damaged aircraft was taken right after the arrival to N.Africa and supporting the information from Stefaan that the place where the photo was taken was near Mersa Matruh.

Mersa Matruh air fields and units November 1-15 1942

Is it possible to match the units identified as involved to an airfield near Mersa Matruh during this time?

-Stab/JG 77 Bf 109 G-2
-1./LG 1 Ju 88 A
-3 Sq RAAF P-40
-12 Sq SAAF, Boston

Stab/JG 77

First it is not clear exactly where Stab/JG 77 landed when arriving from Italy.
Prien mentions that it can assumed to have been Haggag al Quasaba or Bir el Abd where the what remained of I./JG 77 was located on 4. November. (Ref 2, P.259)

Extract from the listing above covering the unit during its stay around Mersa Matruh (1.) and its subsequent move to Gambut (2.)and then further west of Tobruk (3). :

1.Bir–el-Abd 03.11.42 – 05.11.42
2.Gambut 05.11.42 – 09.11.42
3.Bir el Arca 09.11.42 – 11.11.42

LG 1

Was based at Iraklion (Crete) 15.8.42 to 30.1.43 which is the period of interest. After 30.1.43 the unit was transferred to Eleusis. Based in Greece it did apparently not take up base in the N. African desert.
However, it was based at Catania for a few days, several times during this period (22.2 - 24.2.42; 8.3 - 11.3.42; 17.3. - 19.3.42; 8.11.42 - 13.11.42; 26.11.42 - 29.11.42) (Ref 4)
(Ref 4)
It can not be excluded that missions were flown from Catania, Sicily, to the area west of El Alamein at this time, making an aircraft ending up wrecked here.

Need more info on 1/LG 1 presence in this area, during this time. Particularly Ju 88 A, L1+EH, “White E”, with lower areas painted black as seen on photograph.

3 Squadron RAAF

Photos of this Bf 109 G-2 show P-40s in the background probably marked CV indicating this Squadron was based here at the time the photos were taken.
See photo from Barbas book (Ref 6) above.
This unit was based at:

Amariya (LG 175) 19.10-06.11.42
El Daba (LG 106) 06.11-09.11.42
Sidi Haneish(LG 101) 09.11-11.11.42
Gambut 13.11-15.12.42

El Daba is just east of Bir el Abd which is pointed out as a probable base 3-5.11 for Stab/JG 77. (See above)

Sidi Haneish (LG 101) is close to Quasaba which is mentioned by Prienas a possible alternative air field where Stab/JG 77 arrived from Bari. (Ref 2, P.259)

From 3 Sq RAAF website:
“3 Squadron advanced to Landing Ground 106 at Daba only hours after the Luftwaffe had fled leaving behind aircraft, equipment and personal effects.”
(Ref 3)
This indicates that Luftwaffe aircraft and P-40s actually can be seen together here – As on some pictures of Bf 109 “<<<4”

12 Sq SAAF. Operating with Boston aircraft

LG "Z" (operating from LG 99) Aug 42 - Nov 42
Tmimi Nov 42 - Nov 42
LG 99 Dec 42 - Dec 42 (Back east again)
Solluch Dec 42 - Jan 43 (South-east of Bengasi)
Gezina Jan 43 - Feb 43 (South Africa??)
Sertian Feb 43 - Mar 43

Ref 5)


Comments:
LG “Z” and LG 99 is apparently the base used before and during El Alamein battle and must be east of the front line and out of interest for this research.

Tmimi was also a Luftwaffe airfield just west of Bir el Arca where Stab/JG 77 took residence 9-11.42 (See map above)
3 Sq RAAF also resided in the area when staying at Ain el Gazala 15-19.12

No losses reported by Stab./JG 77 in this area why “<<<4” was probably not found in this area. This does not show a correlation between 12 Sq SAAF and Stab/JG 77 common air field utilization. However, a member of 12 Sq can have visited a field further to the east around Mersa Matruh. Ground echelons can have been transported by road and stopped by for some souvenir hunting, which actually seems to be under way on the photo Stefaan posted.

Conclusion on airfields, units and time

Stab/JG 77 Bf 109 and 3 Sq RAAF P-40s can be seen on photos together and have apparently both been using airfields around Mersa Matruh.
I./LG was based at Sicily 8-13 November 42 and might have flown over N. Africa leaving a damaged Ju 88 on the same field as “<<<4”. More info on LG 1 would be helpful.
12 Sq SAAF did not (officially) use an airfield around Mersa Matruh also used by Stab/JG 77 and 3 Sq RAAF.
12 Sq SAAF personnel might have been transported trough Mersa Matruh on their way west, collecting souvenirs on route.



Based on the findings above I find it for possible that “<<<4” actually is W.Nr.10501 of Stab/G77 and photographed with 3 Sq RAAF P-40s in Bir el Abd – El Daba region east of Mersa Matruh in the second week of November 1942.
Personell from 12 Sq SAAF having stopped by to collect souvenir pieces from “<<<4” and Ju 88 L1+EH which still exists today with Stefaan Bouwer, South Africa.

More info and your comments very welcome.


References:
1)Jagdflieger Verbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945. Band 8/I, Prien et al
2)Jagdflieger Verbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945. Band 8/II, Prien et al
3) 3 Sq. RAAF website
http://www.3squadron.org.au/

4) Michael Holm website / LG 1
http://www.ww2.dk/air/lehr/lg1.htm

5) TOCH posting of photo and info by Stefaan Bouwer Dec 2007
6) Photo in "Aircraft of the Luftwaffe Fighter Aces I", p 153, Barbas, Schiffer, 1995.

Good night and Cheers to you all,

Goran