Gefr Karl Raisinger, 3/JG 77

[Chris Goss]

Raisinger crash-landed his Bf 109 E-4, 5104, Gelbe 13 on 25 Oct 40. He says it had 7 abschuss markings on it (he had only 1 kill) whilst others say it had the name Rocho and 2 such markings. Andy Saunders cannot add to this-can anyone else?

[Jochen Prien]

Hello Chris,

there are a number of pretty good photos of Karl Raisinger's Bf 109 E-4 around, which have appeared in various publications; back in 1976 I have obtained two crystal-clear prints from the archive of the - late - Kent Messenger, one of which you can see in JFV 4/II, page 99.

To me it appears as though the a/c had four black victory stripes on the tailfin, three in front of and one abaft the Hakenkreuz, the stripes being of different width. Underneath the cabin sill one can see the national flags of the countries against which this a/c had seen service, but I can see no trace of a name. The colour of the numeral is rather dark, too dark for yellow, so that I take it as brown.

Hope this helps.

Kins regards

Jochen

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Jochen

I am sure that the intelligence report says it was yellow 13 (didn't some films from this time make yellow look like brown?) but I will say that the reports also say that the cowling and rudder were yellow and the photos (I have many like you) show the numerals darker than the nose and rudder.

If there were 4 victory stripes and a badge with the flags of the countries over which this aircraft had flown, this would back up Raisinger's statement that "it was not my aircraft but from an officer who was sick the day I was shot down". Wiest or Nordmann then?

Chris