Nicknames on 8./KG76 Do17Zs during 1940

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

I've been trying to document the aircraft of 8./KG76 during 1940. This is one of the units that used nicknames on their aircraft. I'm aware of at least four different ones. These nicknames were placed directly below the Staffel insignia on both sides of the nose. Three of the known nicknames are bird names in German, originally leading me to believe that all of the approximately 12-14 aircraft in the Staffel used bird nicknames: Elster (Magpie), Falke (Hawk) and Geier (Vulture). Now another photo has turned up with the nickname Delphin (Dolphin), which shoots my all-bird nickname theory all to hell. So, does anyone else have any information that would contribute to resolving the mystery of these nicknames?

I have a suspicion that these nicknames may also possibly represent the individual aircraft code letter, ie. Falcke = F1+FS, Geier =F1+GS, etc. This is only a theory that will require photos of either aircraft nicknames associated with aircraft codes, or crash sites with both markings visible. For example, F1+FS was shot down and force landed in England on 15.9.40. I have a half dozen photos of the crash, confirming the aircraft codes, but have no photo of the Staffel insignia area clear enough to read the nickname. Perhaps someone has a close-up of that crash scene that would show that this was "Falcke"...or another name.

Any help on resolving this mystery would be appreciated.

Regards,