Bf.109E-3 (wnr. 1512); Bf. 109E- (?) (wnr.2312)

[Mr Schmitt]

Originally Posted by Hans Nauta

Hi Andreas and Mr Schmitt,

Actually there is a THIRD airfield called Bergen. It's just west of the city of Alkmaar and in the province North-Holland in The Netherlands at roughly 52o38’48”N, 04o41’27”E. That’s the airfield mentioned in the GQM returns.

To make things more difficult, this airfield was sometimes abbreviated by the Germans as Bergen am S. (Bergen am See) while Bergen op Zoom was abbreviated as Bergen o. Z. Needless to say both can easily be mixed up, not only now, but also 70 years ago!

Erg/JG54 was also located at this airfield, so Bergen in Norway is not relevant, neither is Bergen op Zoom.

Anyway, I’m pretty sure that Wnr 1512 crash landed near Bergen as I have a clear picture of that. The mishap occurred 600 metres south west of the most south west corner of the airfield.

Hope to have clarified the matter,

Hans

Hi Hans,

Really good information :0) You are very specific. Can I ask how you have the knowledge of the exact location on the Airfield?
Do you have some pictures or Luftwaffe documentation referring to this?

Regards Mr Schmitt

[Mr Schmitt]

Perhaps also We can unfold the mystery of this Aircraft wnr. 1512 being flown in 1940 by JG54. Can any member add to this?

[Hans Nauta]

Hello Mr Schmitt,

I'm quite familiair with the former airfield Bergen, having now 1.300+ pictures and documents with regard to the history of that airfield.

I think it's not a real mystery regarding Wnr 1512. It's not unusual that aircraft served with several units. E./JG54 left airfield Bergen at 15th November 1940, 1./JG1 arrived there at 27th December 1940. Perhaps Wnr 1512 was in revision or repairs when E./JG54 left and went from one to the other unit on the same airfield.

Regards
Hans