Bf109E-5

[BrianC]

Hi guys

Hopefully not a silly question - but was the photo-reconnaissance Bf109E-5 used operationally during the Battle of Britain? If so, were any encountered by the RAF and any lost?

Cheers
Brian

[Chris Goss]

No and no as far as I am aware. No recce units showed Bf 109s on their ORBAT until later

[Nick Beale]

From deciphered signals:

CX/JQ/115
6/7/40
para. 46. It was learnt at 1300/6 that an enquiry had been made by Fliegerkorps 8 whether it was desired to replace reconnaissance a/c Hs 126 by Bf 109 type E-5 (reconnaissance); otherwise Bf 109 a/c would again be armed for use as fighters. It was further learnt that the built-in photographic apparatus had not proved completely satisfactory.

CX/JQ/121
9/7/40
para. 52. On 8/7 Flieger Korps 8 asked the Air Ministry whether 3 Hs 126 it had ordered could be exchanged for Me 109 E (if possible E-4). Bf 109 E-5 were not wanted.

[BrianC]

Many thanks, guys

Much appreciated.

Cheers
Brian

[pvanroy]

The E-5 was based on the E-1. Arado built 29 E-5 airframes in parallel with E-1 production between April and June 1940 in the W.Nr. 3854 - 3919 range. Not much is known about their use, but it seems most went to fighter units where they were used as regular fighters. There are two nice color photographs of W.Nr. 3891 in service with 9./JG 26 during the BoB period, with the pilot posing next to bullet strikes on the aft fuselage of the aircraft. Another b/w image shows an apparently unarmed E-5 with Stkz. ?? + GE, but I have no idea when that picture was taken or to what unit the aircraft belonged. This machine has the head armor removed and may have been a hack. Since both aircraft in the photographs are equipped with aerials, it seems likely they had their cameras removed and replaced with the regular radio equipment.

[Merlin]

The close recconnaissance Staffeln 3.(H)/13 and 4.(H)/13 each received three aircraft during early October 1940. they operated them until early 1941 without accident or loss.

The other operational unit was the Stab/VIII.Fliegerkorps, they took over 5 aircraft during late July 1940, lost two of these early September and continued use until mid of October (after that date no available data).

Source: Einsatzbereitschaftmeldungen der Verbände

[BrianC]

Hi Gerd

Good to hear from you once again. I trust that you are well.

Are you able to elaborate on Stab/VIII.Fliegerkorps Bf109E-5 losses, particularly for September 1940?

Cheers
Brian

[Rottler]

Hello Brian,

the two losses are listed in the GQM loss returns dated 14 Sep 1940:

Item 35
6 Sep 1940 Korps-Führungskette VIII. Fliegerkorps
Toutoinoille Absturz Bf 109 E-5 WNr. 3889 GA+GH 100%
Oblt Tettenborn +

Item 36
3 Sep 1940 Korps-Führungskette VIII. Fliegerkorps
St. Mards Rollschaden Bf 109 E WNr. 3893 GA+GI 50%

Regards
Leo

[BrianC]

Many thanks, Leo

Not combat, then.

Cheers
Brian