Looking for info on a/c of Hptm-Maj Martin Vetter of 1./KG26 and II./KG26 during 1939-40

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

As Kap. of 1./KG26, from the beginning of the war until 6.4.40, Hptm-Maj Martin Vetter was a very successful combat leader. Presumably he flew an He111H coded 1H+AH during that period. At that point he took over as Kdr of II./KG26. We have a good photo of the port side of his a/c at that time, 1H+AC. The new Barry Ketley Markings and Insignia book has a photo of an insignia on his a/c, reportedly at the time that he was StaKap, showing a "Scrawny Dwarf" gremlin, carrying a trident and riding a bomb. This is positioned just above the wing root of his He111. It carried the nickname "Zwerg-Zausdürrer." The fuselage cross is after mid-October 1939, when the markings change-over took place following the Polish Campaign.

http://ihra.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Po...O/MCN12114.jpg

I'm trying to document this a/c for an EoE Project color profile. I think it likely, despite the attending photo caption, that this insignia may have been used on his a/c as II GrKdr, which would have been on an He111 coded 1H+AC, but it also could have been on his plane during his service as 1 Staffel Kap. (ie 1H+AM). Does anyone have any information or know of other photos that would help me fully identify the a/c that carried this unique insignia, and the colors of the insignia? A variation of this was reported to have been carried on some 1 Staffel a/c, including on engine cowlings. Are any photos of that version out there?

http://ihra.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Po...O/MCN13120.jpg

Both illustrations are from "Luftwaffe Emblems 1939-1945" by Barry Ketley P. 83.

Any help would be appreciated.

Regards,