Luftwaffe unit emblems - "Battle of Britain" era

[sidney]

Gladiator,

The posted photo is in fact excellent. The first one that enabled me to see the emblem in more details.

Having seen the photo, I would like to correct myself - it does look like an eagle to me now.

Regards,
Sidney

[F19Gladiator]

Originally Posted by sidney

Gladiator,

The posted photo is in fact excellent. The first one that enabled me to see the emblem in more details.

Having seen the photo, I would like to correct myself - it does look like an eagle to me now.

Regards,
Sidney

Thanks Sidney. Well, if I knew the answer from knowing the key or taken from the answer book I would also say "Eagle".
Knowing the time period and it being a German figher ac I could also suspect it to be an "Eagle" for various reasons.
Studying the two images I have posted on the other hand, indicates an attempt to illustrate a bird of some species, showing a body and a head which in my opinion shows no remblence with an eagle at all in this version.
(More like a ruffed up seagull with the body of a bat or small owl!)
The reason can be, as I wrote before, that it either is not completed or because it has been worn off to the degree that the original masterpiece has deteriorated to a blur where the body and head is supposed to be.

I am sure this will in the end to be proven to be an "Eagle". Hopefully someone will also be posting a good photo in the end.
Anyone sitting on a unique original photo of this emblem not wanting to publish/post it? Please contact me off board- I might perhaps buy it and post it if it doesn't cost the space shuttle.

[F19Gladiator]

Hello again,
This is the photo from Donald Caldwell's "The JG 26 War Diary Vol 1" which probably gave the foundation for the view that emblem is representing an eagle.

Here the white body and head of a bird can be traced. As European eagles does not typically have white bodies and heads it would be intereting to know what the inspiration behind this emblem was. American..... Or can it still be that it is another bird than an eagle which inspired to this emblem?

Thanks for your patience with my questions.
Goran

[Franek Grabowski]

How about an owl?

[robert]

Hi Franek,

nice joke....

Regards

Robert

[Franek Grabowski]

With the best will available I do not see any eagle nor winged rabbit, and attacking owl seems an option being a very popular bird.

[robert]

I have seen better photos so there is no option for owl.

Robert

[F19Gladiator]

Originally Posted by robert

I have seen better photos so there is no option for owl.

Robert

I trust you have a very good picture memory Robert, but would it possible for you to make arrangements to see one of these 'better photos" for our enlightment on this subject, preferrably posted for others to create their own opinion? I understand from your answers that these "better photos" are not in your possession but you seem to be in a good relation to the owner(s).

I can understand that some might find it a bit irritating, even stupid, to bring up long established "facts", regarding Luftwaffe emblems for discussion, but I suppose this is one of the reasons why forums like this exist - for learning and also sometimes to test old dogma around luftwaffe camouflage and markings and other subjects which are far from fully explored yet.
I learn something every day I visit this forum and I love it!

Regarding this emblem, which I have been posting pictures of, I have so far learnt that:

1.Good pictures are scarce.
2.Pictures I have posted indicates that the emblem might have been photographed in both finished and not yet fininshed versions - some alternatively possibly abrased by wear.
3.Someone (Larry??) owns better pictures but they have not yet been published - not to my knowledge at least.
4.Axel Urbanke published an alternative explanation of what the emblem depicts in "Luftwaffe im Focus", which by some forum participants has been bluntly turned down.
5.The background story of the emblem, it's inspiration and why it replaced the "Grasshopper" emblem has not yet been explained.
6. Date of it's introduction is not known for certain.

.......and as you have noticed I have objections against the emblem resembling an eagle! It might have been intended to represent an eagle, but it doesn't look like one or at least is a very untypical representation of the well known bird - All according to my own eyes of course!

Based on the above findings 1-6, I conclude that there is a lot more to learn again. Fine!

However, as I in my hobbies as well as in my occupation for a living, usually do not take all "facts" at face value, I kindly ask anyone who has any substantial evidence supporting fact based answers regarding this emblem to share them with us in order to increase our knowledge.

I am fully aware of that much has been lost over the passing 67 years since 1940, but still surprisingly much material previously unseen surfaces today!

(When I started getting interested in Luftwaffe markings in the 1960's I could never dream of the amount of publications coming out forty years later and the detailed information available, as already by then WW2 was something way back in time in my mind and anticipating much was already lost for ever. For those who were not around or old enough to read books at that time, go and check what was available and published in 1965 and compare with today. Amazing development!)

Again, I am looking for sources, including photographic material, regarding this emblem explaining it's origin, motif and use.

Cheers to all participating in the discussion!
Goran

[sidney]

Gladiator,

On a closer look, it looks to me like a body of a seagull (would refer to the contemporary theatre of operation) with the eagle's wings attached to it(Luftwaffe).

If you take into account that the Staffel was based nearby the cliffs on the French side of the Channel because of the Bf-109's limited endurance, and that it had to fly its missions over the Channel to reach England - the seagull, a bird that dominates such environment, sounds quite plausible.

Thanks again for the photo.

Regards,
Sidney

[Peter Cornwell]

Goran,

The exact details of the 1./JG26 emblem are attached. I cannot offer you any photos but the form is taken from the Staffel stick-pin of Gustav Kemen who was captured on 14 August 1940.