What does "Peter" mean? - Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum

bert68 · #1 29th January 2011, 19:35

I have a picture of a BF109E preparing to take off.
I can't see no indication of unit, it's a #15 (red, I presume, B/W picture). The picture is supposed to have been taken in 1939, in Poland or in Germany during the Poland campaign. The name "peter" is written in white on the engine (left side).
I have another pic of a Ju87 in flight, without more indication of unit (coded "A"), but with the nma "Peter" written exactly the same way as for the Bf109, this time on the left wheel's protection.
Anybody can tell me what this name meant?

ChrisS · #2 29th January 2011, 20:06

I believe the Bf-109E-1 'Peter' is the personal mount of Heinz Bretnutz and is W.Nr. 4112, Red 15 of 2./JG53

The Stuka I don't know but it will be a personal marking

Cheers

Chris

bert68 · #3 29th January 2011, 21:11

Thanks a lot, Chris!
The "Peter" written on the wheel of the Stuka is not exactly written like the one on the BF109, though.
It looks like the BF's is written in between "", which is not the case for the Ju87...
Thanks once again for your prompt answer!

Icare9 · #4 29th January 2011, 22:26

Are you sure it's not linked to "passing wind"?

bert68 · #5 30th January 2011, 20:11

No, I'm not sure at all!
That could explain why it's written on both aircraft!
Thanks!

ChrisS · #6 30th January 2011, 20:23

I don't think there is any connection between the two aircraft, they just have the same personal name. Quite what 'passing wind' has to do with it the Lord only knows

!

Chris

Icare9 · #7 30th January 2011, 20:29

ChrisS: Thanks for the elevation in status, but you need to think outside the box in other languages....
French verb péter, "to fart"

steve sheridan · #8 11th September 2013, 17:34

With regards to ChrisS' previous assumption on the Bf109 named "Peter".
I have different information.

[quote=ChrisS;121895]I believe the Bf-109E-1 'Peter' is the personal mount of Heinz Bretnutz and is W.Nr. 4112, Red 15 of 2./JG53

Heinz Bretnutz according to my information was with 6/JG53 and flew yellow 10+- with the name "Peter"
Of course if anybody has different, please feel free to contribute.

ChrisS · #9 11th September 2013, 17:52

Hello Steve

Thanks for pointing this out. I think my reference to Red 15 was a mistake based on the misidentification of orthocromatic film darkening the 15 to seem red. I believe this may have been the machine he flew upon his return from Spain.

Cheers

Chris

Cpt_Farrel · #10 11th September 2013, 23:22

Whether Red or Yellow is debatable but he flew a "15", painted in the old 70/71 splintercamo, Yellow 10 was a later aircraft.

His Bf109F-2 that he flew as Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG53 was also marked "Peter" below the canopy.

According to a profile posted at David Weiss' Bf109 site, Peter was the nickname of his wife Martha

/Anders