JG 11 bands?

[John Beaman]

Someone recently asked me about JG 11 band, specifically, did they have them during Bodenplatte? I may be wrong but I do not recall ever seeing a photo in the Nov-44 to Jan 45 time period where the 109s or 190s had a band. Am I wrong?

Thanks

[John Manrho]

John,

as stated before on PM, I don't have pictures. However, there is evidence from RAF Crashed Enemy Aircraft Reports that a/c from II./JG 11 carried a yellow band. From I./JG 11 and III./JG 11 there is no such evidence regarding Bodenplatte losses. Some Fw 190's were found but no reference to a yellow band were made.

regards,

John

[Jochen Prien]

Dear John,

in JG 1/11, Vol. 3, p. 1434 / 1435 there are two photos of a Fw 190 of 2./JG 11 with a yellow band, whereas you may speculate, whether the Bf 109 G-14/AS of 5./JG 11 shown on p. 1357 also sported such a band. On my photo, which is better than the print in the book, it looks rather like it did, but this is not beyond doubt. No info regarding III./JG 11 at the moment ( they were flying the wrong airplane anyway ).

In a hurry

Jochen Prien

[John Beaman]

Dear John: Yes, I got your PM and thanks for that and your reply, above. I just thought there might be some obscure reference out there that I'd missed.

Dear Jochen: Yes, your JG 11 book was the first place I looked and as you say there is nothing conclusive except for the 190, sw. 10 and that is apparently not sure when it was actually salvaged. However, it definitely has the band.

Thanks to both of you!

[John Manrho]

Dear Jochen,

the wrong plane anyway...???? You must be really in a hurry...

regards,

John.