Werner Molders' Bf-109, 28th July 1940?

[wwrsimon]

Hello everyone

Can anyone give an ID for the BF-109E flown by Werner Molders on July 28th 1940, in which he made a forced-landing in France after combat with 41 Squadron Spitfires?

Regards

Simon

[Leo Etgen]

Hello Simon

Prien lists this aircraft as having been a Bf 109 E-3 but that is the only information given. Unfortunately the tactical code and werknummer appear to be unknown. I hope this helps for what it is worth.

Horrido!

Leo

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

According to the EoE Luft Loss DB:

"28 July 1940: Stab JG51 Messerschmitt Bf109E-3. Belly-landed at St Inglevert with oil cooler severely damaged in attack by F/L Webster of No.41 Squadron in action over the Channel off Dover 3.00 p.m. FF Major Werner Mölders (Geschwaderkommodore) wounded. Aircraft < ― + ― 80% damaged - write-off."

Based upon the two known photos of this FL a/c (one of each side, the latter of it being trucked away from the scene for salvage), as part of the EoE Project we've created an extremely detailed color profile of this a/c. Most noteworthy is the fact that the plane had extremely large swasticas on both sides of the tail. In the thousands of photos of Bf109s that I've seen from this period, this is the only example of this that I've ever seen. I believe that this was the a/c of the previous Geschawader Kde, Oberst Theo Osterkamp, which was inherited by Mölders, who had just taken command of the unit when he was forced down in France after combat over England. It carried no unit emblems.

If anyone has additional photos of this a/c, I'd appreciate knowing about them.

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator

[wwrsimon]

Thank you for the replies.

Are the photos and profile you mention available to see anywhere Larry? I'd be most interested in seeing them.

Regards

Simon