History of one Bf 109 E-4

[Fairlop]

Hello Gentlemen,

This is a challenging disscussion.

Thanks,
Michal

[Larry Hickey]

JoMe,

I'm sorry but I don't think the 2./JG 77 incident on 10.5.40, involving Uffz. Friedrich Möller cited on P. 275 of Dr. Prien's JG 77 History, Part I, had anything to do with "Black 12," W.Nr. 703, of 2.(J)/LG 2. The two units are not the same and I don't see the connection. W.Nr. 703 more likely crash-landed down somewhere in Holland on that date or sometime close to that date. According to a roster of I.(J)/LG 2 pilots and aircraft dated 20.3.40, this aircraft was assigned to Lt. Helmut Mertens of 2.(J)/LG 2, which is consistent with the markings of a 2 Staffel a/c. During the fall of 1940, after repair, it was flown by the Hptm. Josef Fözö, Gr. Kdr. of II./JG 51. Photos confirm this. I still consider the information as to date, place and pilot of this a/c unknown.

Regards

[Fairlop]

Photo of Fözö´s W.Nr. 703 is in the "Das Jadgeschwader 51" page 94 by Stipdonk & Meyer.

Michal

[Stormfighter]

I own Unteroffizier Friedrich Möller's Wehrpass and can say for sure that he was not assigned to the 2.(J)/LG 2 on 10.05.1940. At that time, Möller was a pilot of the 2./J.G. 77.

Barry

[Peter Cornwell]

Gentlemen,

Surely the Black 12 of 2.(J)/LG2 is well-documented as a casualty on 12 May 1940 as follows ?

2.(J)/LG2 Messerschmitt Bf109E-3 (703) Damaged by AA fire from Wons during escort sortie for He111s of 2./KüGr.806 and belly-landed at ‘Lutke Penjum’ by the Burenlaan, south of Pingjum, Friesland. FF Lt Helmut Mertens unhurt. Aircraft Black 12 + 70% damaged.
This aircraft arrived at Erla Frontreparaturwerk Leipzig on 3 June where the damage was re-assessed as only 23 %. Following repair, it was assigned to II./JG 51.

[ChrisS]

I believe this ex-eBay image is of this machine prior to the crash, there are a number of others taken afterwards: