Reference photos for 9./KG4 - 9./KG30

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

In working on the EoE aircraft color profile project, I'm looking for reference photos of Ju88s from 9./KG4, which, after about 1.11.40 became 9./KG30. I'm particularly looking for photos of Ju88s from 9./KG4 from the time they were first assigned to the unit prior to the beginning of the WC/FC until the end of 1940 or very early in 1941. This would include 9./KG30 Ju88s from mid-October 1940 to the end of the year, after the unit was re-designated. Right now the only Ju88 from that unit for which I have a photo is the rear fuselage of 5J+GT which was shot down near Schiphol AF, Netherlands on 10.5.40. Only the wreckage of the tail is visible, with no a/c codes or possible unit insignia visible. What I need are two a/c for the WC/FC (May & June, 1940), and three aircraft for the BoB/and early Blitz (July-Aug., 1940, Sept., 1940, and Oct.-Dec., 1940).

Who has reference photos, or know where they have been published that will help me fill this conspicuous gap?

Regards,

[Chris Goss]

Photos I have seen are from III/KG 30 and show the bat & moon badge being used for all 3 Staffel-I have a photo taken in Sicily in 1941 of the Gefechstand with this badge. The best known is Podbielski's 7/KG 30 crash 27 Oct 40. I also have a photo crash-landed Blitz III/KG 30 ac plus those which came from the 9/KG 30 Rinck crew (POW Jan 41)

[Larry Hickey]

Chris,

Via Peter Cornwell, I have excellent coverage of the Podbielski crash from all views--will be one of our profiles. Still carries the old 7./KG4 coding. I've also got photos of four different Ju88s from 8./KG4 - 8./KG30 that carry a light-colored umbrella in a gunsight (not the I./KG30 emblem) during what appears to be the 1940 period while based in Holland. This emblem doesn't appear in the standard reference publications and I don't know if this emblem survived the transition to 8./KG30. It almost certainly was the 8./KG4 Staffel emblem earlier in 1940. I don't know of a 9./KG4 emblem on Ju88s during 1940. Would be interested in seeing some of your reference photos for the 7. Staffel bat/moon insignia on aircraft into late 1940 and early 1941. Would also appreciate seeing your crash-landed Blitz III./KG30 emblem a/c plus those of the 9th StaKap Rinck down the night of Jan 27/28, 1941. Along with looking for profile subjects, I'm trying to sort out the colors of the thin outline on the III./KG30 diving eagle badge after the change over to the 2nd Formation of the unit at the end of October, 1940. I think the outline changed from red prior to that time to white after that time. Your photos may help confirm this.

Regards,

[obdl3945]

Hi, Larry...

Not sure if the undernoted is an image you're familiar with. Unfortunately, I don't have any accompanying information as to exact location or time period.

However, it is clearly a Ju88A-1 from 9./KG30. I would suggest full code was 4D+IT, given the letter 'I' shown under the wing. The use of a vertical formation bar set at the rudder hinge line would seem to place it around the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940.

Although tentatively credited to Kampfgruppe 806 at the time of publication in the 1970s, a good image of the bat/moon emblem appears on a downed Ju88 on page 31 of Smith & Gallaspy's Luftwaffe Camouflage & Markings 1935-45 Vol.2 (Kookaburra). I imagine we would now perhaps take this to be of III./KG30.

Hope this might help in some way.

Regards,

Paul

[Larry Hickey]

Paul,

This is an extremely helpful image and may allow us to use this in one of our profile packages. I was not previously aware of it. As you suggest, this would be 4D+IT, of 9./KG30 taken during Sept or early Oct., 1940. KG30 is known to have used these white formation markings during Sept., 1940, and I have at least one other photo showing these in place.

The bat/moon emblem was originally 7./KG4, which became 7./K30 between 15.10.40 and 1.11.40. So, it was, in effect the emblem of both units, at least for a while. The photo in Smith & Gallaspy was from 5J+ER of Staffelführer Oblt Friedrich-Franz Podbielski, which FL at Richmond Farm, Duggleby, Yorkshire, England on 27.10.40. Peter Cornwell carries it as 7./KG30, although this was in that rather vague transition period from 7./KG4.

Thanks for posting and helping with my questions.

Regards,

Larry