Trying to validate Factory code of TN+AG for a He111 shot down on May 10, 1940

[Peter Cornwell]

Pieter,

Ask yourself what is the more likely ? That the aircraft was coded TN+AG - from a known block of He111 SKZ, or that it carried the corrupted unit codes NR+A1 ? For, as Gillet himself notes, that would be exceptional.

Knowing for sure that the unit is 7./KG53, we try to make sense of the markings that can be distinguished on the remains of the burned out fuselage, and stretch the evidence to fit the case. So the N (being irrefutable, and given the fact that this is a 7./KG53 aircraft), has to be the individual letter for it can be no other. Similarly, the other visible letter (conveniently an A) has to be the first letter of the unit code A1. Result ? The unit code A1 appears after the Balkankreuz while the individual letter N and (invisible) 7 Staffel letter R must be those ahead of the Balkankreuz. And from what can be seen in the photo published in VCF2 p166 this may all be fair enough.

Pieter, you know that I respect your views and value your opinions in these matters but in this case, believe me, the fact is that this aircraft was coded TN+AG. Not such a rare avis as was proposed.