Yellow markings of Luftflotte 4

[Roger Gaemperle]

Hello,

I have been studying the yellow rudder and cowling band of aircraft attached to Luftflotte 4 in spring 1945. Well known examples are the aircraft of II./JG 52 at Neubiberg.

Now, while it is clear that the aircraft found at Neubiberg were from II./JG 52 since this unit moved to Neubiberg in the last days of the war, why is it commonly assumed that Bf 109s found at other locations but with the yellow rudder and band belonged to II./JG 52?

Not that I have doubts, but more to understand the reasons behind. Apart from II./JG 52, also

• Stab/JG 76 (Wien in April 1945),
• II./JG 51 (Fels am Wagram in April 1945), and
• I./JG 53 (Hörsching in April 1945)

were part of Luftflotte 4 and should have had these markings. I./JG 53 was disbanded on 18 April 1945 and its aircraft became a part of II./JG 52 (KTB LfI.Kdo.6).

I guess that II./JG 51 was also disbanded in April 1945 (http://www.ww2.dk/air/jagd/jg51.htm) and that this may be the reason why on 8 May 1945 the only Bf 109s fighters of Luftflotte 4 belonged to II./JG 52?

Regards,
Roger