H.Joppien? - JG51 France 1940

[sveahk]

A photo (from my collection) taken in France 1940, most certainly I/JG51. My question: The pilot in the middle, could that possibly be Hptm Hermann Joppien?

Hans K

[Chris Goss]

Certainly looks like him but that is not a Bf 109 E behind so possibly taken later than 1940?

[ouidjat]

Have a look on Prien JFV Teil IV.II page 36.
Very close.. I mean very cloth!

Cheers, Franck.

[Simon Pirec]

JG 51 was first unit which get few Friedrichs in October 1940 (Stab/JG 51) and November 1940 (I/JG 51) so this picture could be from last 2 months of that year when Joppien was Gr.Kdr. of I/JG 51.

[Clint Mitchell]

Was it then Joppien that got the other Bf109F-1 SG+GV with Molder's getting SG+GW.

Slight topic drift but does anyone know how many Bf109F-1's JG51 got during 1940?

[sveahk]

Thanks for your replies, especially Franck. Your Prien-tip pinpointed it - so we can assume that this photo was taken sometimes between October 1940 and springtime of 1941. Joppien obviously carries his Knight's Cross here although it's not quite clear.

As a Bonus for your help, here're two Oberleutnant Joppien-photos (also from my collection) taken before September 1940...

Greetings
Hans K

[ouidjat]

Hi,

Thanks Hans; too much kind; I did nothing except to open the right book at the right page, following Chris comment. But you're welcome anyway.

I totaly agree with Chris and I think your picture has been taken in Abbeville in March 1941 ... Which is what I meant with my "very cloth" .... not only, the background too.

@Clint; the answer is in the same book, page 31, I./JG 51 received its first Fs in February ... 1941.
Hence my answer.

Cheers, Franck.

[Clint Mitchell]

Thanks ouidjat for confirmation. I wondered because I am yet to establish which other pilot got a Bf109F-1 in October as well as Molders. It was not his wingman. I had a feeling it was not one of the earlier SG+ Bf109F-1's in the photo as the two I have photos of have black or 70 spinner with 1 third white whereas the Bf109F in the Joppien photo has all black or 70.

[Larry Hickey]

Clint,

According to a photo of a Bf109F-1 in the markings of the Gr Kdr for I./JG51, Hptm. Hans-Heinrich Brustellin, published on P. 33 of Prien et al in JFV 4/II, this F-1 was assigned to the unit during October, 1940. Brustellin apparently gave this a/c up when he transferred out on 17.10.40, so it had to have been taken before that date.

His place was then taken by Hptm. Hermann-Friedrich Joppien, who almost certainly inherited this this a/c. I badly need a photo of it after Joppien took it over, showing his scoreboard on the rudder. At the time that he assumed command of I./JG51, Joppien had scored 22 victories, and was an RK holder. He went on to reach 30 victories by the end of the year. So I'm hoping that someone has a photo of this F-1 showing Joppien's scoreboard on it with at least 22, and as many as 30 victory tabs on the rudder. He didn't score again until late-February, 1941, although I don't know whether he was still flying this original F-1 or not. Probably not.

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator

[Clint Mitchell]

Thanks Larry, email sent.