Joachim Helbig.Ju 88

[G.R.Morrison]

There are a number of both ground and in-flight photos of Ju 88A-5/Trop WNr.4371 L1+EM (weiße E) of 4./LG 1 being used by Hptm. Joachim HELBIG.

These are from the period shortly after his radio operator, Fw. Franz SCHLUND also received the Ritterkreuz (end August 1941). At this time they were based at Eleusis (near Athens), flying ops against Mersa Matruh, Abu Sueir and Port Tarfiq

Paint finish: RLM79 above, scruffy black beneath. The unit emblem of a mounted crusader knight is also carried. Observe the masked WNr. on nose and ‘E’ on gondola.

Reference photos:

Ries, _Dora Kurfürst u. rote 13, Band 3_, pp105, 109

Ries, _Luftwaffe Embleme_, p.161

Brütting, _Das waren die deutschen Kampfflieger-Asse_, pp 18, 183, 184

Held & Obermaier, _Die deutsche Luftwaffe im Afrika-Feldzug_, pp19, 83, 86, 95, 99

Hope this helps, but be sure to advise your friend that it IS an A-5, not A-4.

GRM