[Marc-André Haldimann]

Hi there the Wertheim Waldwerk gang,

I just received from Kees Mol the original caption for the Schlossberg tunnel northern entrance picture (Noro, 102, pic #137). This photograph is part of a serie of six pictures taken by T/5 Robert F Stubenrauch on 2 April 1945 illustrating the Bf 109K-4's and subassemblies found "near Wertheim".

Kees kindly agrees to uploading this caption which settles the following issues:

- Place and date of the photographs
- Wertheim was considered as an assembly place for Bf 109's by the US Army
- Engines and wings were stored in the Schlossberg tunnel
- 25 airframes, covered with tarpaulins and branches were "in new condition", dispersed in the surrounding woods.

All my thanks to you, Kees!


Dear Carl,

You're correct, we have an issue here... Unless one thinks about the hectic situation the German industry tried to upkeep. A naive question first: Was there any real impossibility mating those wings and engines to Bf 109K-4's fuselages? The patchwork Bf 109K-4 "Black 1" of 10. /JG 51, Ronne stadium, 4th May 1945 (Poruba and Mol 2000, 70 - 73) certainly tells another story. It would be thus no surprise to have patchwork airframes assembled in Wertheim as a last desperate effort to finish some more machines with what was availaible; just my two cents, ofc!

- And thanks for the other pic showing those Flossenburg Bf 109K-4's neatly lined up in another forest... Roland, any other pics in this respect (I'm discreetly pointing towards your morning offer;-)))

Cheers
Marc