[S Sheflin]

Hello all,

I propose that Fw 190 D-9 WNr. 600651, “15+ White,” last operated with I./JG 2. While I have no absolute proof, several things point to the possibility.

1.) Jim Crow’s “KLADDE” (Record Book) for Großostheim (March 17 to 25, 1945) lists dozens of I./JG 2 Fw 190 D-9s by aircraft markings, including a “15+ White” flown operationally as late as 45/03/24 by Gefr. Weis.

2.) As noted below, newly delivered D-9s are first listed by Werknummern, then quickly disappear from the record, only to reappear as replacements for lost normally marked aircraft. Therefore, if there was a “15+ White” in late March, there is a good chance that one existed at war’s end.

3.) “15+ White” was abandoned at Straubing, which is not far from Merzhausen, where I./JG 2 was based.

4.) Finally, while some scoff at the idea that 600651 operated with I./JG 2 because it lacks that unit’s Yellow/White/Yellow RV bands, I just wonder if every JG 2 machine received these markings during those last hectic days of the war.

Just for fun, I am including a list of newly delivered D-9s to I./JG 2 in March, 1945:

WNr. 400293 was delivered on 45/03/18. It was probably remarked as “7+ Y” and flown operationally by Obltn. Herdler the next day.
WNr. 400304 was delivered on 45/03/19 by Ofw. Becker of 4.(Nord)/FLÜG 1. Probably remarked, it never appears again.
WNr. 400305 appears on 45/03/18 being flown operationally by Uffz. Henne. Probably remarked, it never appears again.
WNr. 400306 was delivered on 45/03/19 by Ofw. Dickel of 4.(Nord)/FLÜG 1. Probably remarked, it never appears again.
WNr. 400308 was delivered on 45/03/19 by Ofw. Maurer of 4.(Nord)/FLÜG 1. Probably remarked, it never appears again.
WNr. 500687 was delivered on 45/03/20 by Uffz. Bugalahn of 2.Ost) FLÜG 1 Erfurt-Nord. Probably remarked, it never appears again.
500655 was delivered on 45/03/21 by Ofw. Himmelreich of 2.(Ost) FLÜG 1 Erfurt-Nord. Probably remarked, it never appears again.
WNr. 500659 was delivered on 45/03/21 by Ofw. Hopp of 2.(Ost) FLÜG 1 Erfurt-Nord. Probably remarked, it never appears again.
WNr. 601288 was delivered on 45/03/21 and last noted flying operationally with Uffz. Sworank the next day.

I realize that none of this is definitive, but it makes for an interesting topic nonetheless. Hopefully, others will have something to say regarding my idea.

Steve Sheflin