Markings on KG1/KG152 He111s during the Polish Campaign

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

Our research team for the PC Volume in the EOE project is choosing subjects and assembling artist's reference packages. For the Luftwaffe, we hope to do a color profile rendition of at least one a/c from each of the various squadrons and HQ components that participated in the Campaign, including single and twin engine fighters, Stukas, Schlacht a/c, bombers, recon units, transports and maritime units. This is a huge project that will entail a great deal of research and effort over the next couple of years, and is only made possible by the massive amount of new photography that has surfaced in recent years.

Right now we're working on KG1, which was equipped with the He111E (I./KG1) and He111H (Gesch Stab and I./KG152, which later became II./KG1).

1) I have good subjects for all six Staffel involved. However, one question has arisen concerning the He111Es of 1./KG1. Our subject a/c for both 2 and 3 Staffel (V4+AK, V4+CL) respectively show thin red and yellow fuselage bands around the forward fuselage, positioned just in front of the cockpit. There is an excellent series of photos in the Luftwaffe Collection at the ECPA that show a number of photos of a/c of 1 Staffel probably taken sometime during the summer of 1939. None of them show a thin white band in the position used by the other two Staffel during the PC. Does anyone know of a confirmed photo of a 1 Staffel He111E from the 9.39 period depicting this white forward fuselage band? I suspect that this might not have been added as a unit insignia until just before the beginning of the PC, which would explain why this isn't visible in photos probably taken prior to the war.

2) There is also tentative evidence for thin Staffel-colored bands behind the cockpit windows on the He111Hs of I./KG152. Does anyone know of photos showing clear evidence of this for the 9.39 period?

3) I'm looking for a good candidate for an He111H of the Stab I./KG1 from this period. Can anybody suggest one for which good photos exist? It will be interesting to see if we can locate photographic evidence of a green band around the noses of the Stab a/c during the PC.

4) I also need a candidate a/c from the Stab of I./KG152. Can anyone help?

5) The candidate that I have right now for the Stab of KG1 is V4+HA that appears to have made a pretty good force landing after a fighter attack on 6.9.39. Oblt. Mauke was the senior officer aboard. My problem is that I only have a photo of the port side rear fuselage showing the a/c codes and fuselage cross, but little else. Does anyone know of any other photos of this a/c down about 25 km E of Tomaszow, Poland?

Any possible help or suggestions are appreciated.

Regards,

[edwest]

Hello Larry,



Have you consulted the books from the Luftwaffe Colours series?

http://www.amazon.com/kampfflieger-b.../dp/1903223423



Regards,
Ed