German Fighter wreck

[Xerumbe]

Hello,

Someone gave me a photograph taken in early September 1944. It was taken in the GENAS plain (north of Lyon, France). The aircraft appears to be a Me 109G-6. It does not bear identification. I have no trace of an accident or plane shot down in that place at that time. This has nothing to do with ME 109 shot down further north east on 29 August of the same year.
I do not know if this aircraft belongs to the JGr. 200, to the SonderStaffel Kaatsch or to another unit ... Could you tell me more?

Thank you.

I take this message to wish you an excellent year 2017.


Click on the image to enlarge.

[ouidjat]

Hello Xerumbe,

Are you sure Genas is situated North of Lyon? Or is it another Genas
As far I know Genas is just outside Bron airport, on east side. Which seems better to start a research.

Happy new year and best wishes.
Regards, Franck.

[Xerumbe]

You're right, Genas is the close east of Lyon. It is a writing error on my own.

The photo was taken outside the airport of Bron, maybe between Genas and St Bonnet de Mure.

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Many thanks Xerumbe, for this fine picture.

Though I cannot contribute about your unit issue, the camouflage pattern points either towards a WNF built Bf 109 G-8 or a MWG Györ built Bf 109 G-6 in the W.Nr. 760xxx block.

Cheers, and my warm wishes also for this coming year
Marc

[ouidjat]

Thanks Xerumbe.

Are you (we? someone?) sure this photo has been taken at Genas?
It seems to me - though it's not that easy to be sure with few background left - that it's too much hilly; even it's not THAT hilly, it's too much hilly to be Genas plain. Am I right?

Regards.

[RolandF]

Due to the missing tactical signs and the missing prop spiral I´d say this plane experienced troubles during transfer with an FlÜG (Flugzeugüberführungsgeschwader). The camo is a standard camo with wavy upper edges (Gusen-Mauthausen origin?) which has been toned down with linear sprays in cross pattern. If Marc´s suggestion for a Györ-built Bf109 is correct this might be a feature of this license producer. There´s a small WNr on the tailfin and a broad dark stripe on the lower rudder which might be a WerkNr, too in late-Mtt fashion.

Regards
RolandF

[Xerumbe]

Thanx Sirs.

@ Roland F : Maybe this plane came from a FlÜG but a this date there was no unit to refill with plane because all had been ordered to go northern (Luxeuil, Dijon, etc ...). Elsewhere it can be significant that the plane was an older wreck (summer 44?)

@ Ouidjat: i can't be sure. I have just to believe the old man who gave me this photo. He was the young man with the white jacket sit down on the plane nose. I think his memory is not alternate. But i listen to you about the little hill in the background, in fact this photo could be take in the NE of Genas. I have to take my car and check the different places ...

@Marc-André Haldimann: thank you for your technical precisions.

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Dear Xerumbe,

After rumbling through my Flickr account, I can confirm we're looking at an WNF produced machine. The closest photographically documented camouflage pattern can be found on some W.Nr. 230xxx block of productions like on this one:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/280920...7625536800422/

We should hence also consider this machine could have been flown by a NAGr unit.

All the best for your query
Marc

[Xerumbe]

Dear Marc-André ,

as you told me about the serial 230xxx and probably the NAGr. unit, is it possible that this plane belonged to the 5.(F)/123 ?

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Dear Xerumbe,

According to Michael Holm's excellent site, the first four Bf 109 G-8 on inventory of 5.(F)/123 were delivered in September 1944. One of them was lost without enemy action, the precise location and date is not mentioned. Check here:
http://www.ww2.dk/oob/bestand/aufkl/b5ag123.html

It is thus not impossible that we're looking at this very machine.

Cheers
Marc