Photos 12-6

[Rabe Anton]

It is virtually certain that the heavily damaged Bf 109E down in a wooded area is NOT WNr. 4112, which was 5 per. dam. in Sept. 1940. The Bf 109E WNr. 4112 was manufactured as a Bf 109E-3; the pranged airplane is clearly an E-1. The airplane in the two photos, moreover, appears to be finished in dark greens overall, in the standard 1939 camouflage scheme. Finally, the fully-armed soldiers clambering over it tend to argue against the Kanalfront and more towards a combat situation such as the Polish Campaign.

A nice official war photographer's image of a Bf 109E marked br. 15 + and inscribed Peter on the engine cowling may be found in Prien, JG 77, I, 76. This airplane is said to have been assigned to 3./(J)LG 2. From what can be seen and/or interpreted, this airplane closely resembles the one in the two photos auctioned on eBay.

On 10 Sept. 1939 I./(J)LG 2 lost a Bf 109E (Werknummer not recorded, 90 per. dam.) when it forced-landed at or in Augustwalde following LK. Pilot's name not recorded. See Prien, JG 77, I, 84.

I believe that the above loss best fits the two images that Ed West posted. The season, the airplane's camouflage, and the circumstances of loss (in a wood?) apparently fit the two posted photos as well as the I./(J)LG 2 loss in Prien, JG 77, I, 84. But the evidence is highly circumstantial and ambiguous.

If any one has further info or would like to set down a time-line for known Bretnutz airplanes, that would be most interesting.

RA