Ju 88A-1 September 1940 black undersides as night camoflage

[Westside Dad]

I have seen a few photo's where the undersides of Ju 88's have been crudely painted black as temporary camouflage for night operations. Covering the light blue under-surfaces.

Does anyone know when this was introduced? I am trying to discover if a Ju88A-1 of Kampfgeschwader 54, Gruppe II, Staffel 4 would have been painted like this in September 1940? The aircraft in question crashed into my fathers house.

This happened 75 years ago on the 20th of this month and I want to write up as much information as possible on this machine for my father!

(See other posts of mine!)

[Chris Goss]

Such paint was applied as needs dictated. For example, on 18 Jun 1940, the He 111s of KG 4 had their day camouflage toned down for night operations. The only way you can find this out for certain is the intelligence assessment of the crash

[Nick Beale]

From an intercepted signal, on 19 August 1940:

Flieger Korps 5 warned all fighter and heavy-fighter formations as well as OC Flak that He 111 camouflaged for night operations also operate by day. The recognition-markings on sides of the a/c and on under side of wings are painted over in black; but on the upper side they are still clearly distinguishable. (What use that was to the unidentified Flak Korps left unexplained).

[Westside Dad]

Thanks Chris/Nick. I have seen the POW report from the surviving aircrew but have no idea where the intelligence assessment would be held? Can you help point me in the right direction!

I guess the signal intercept at least means that blacked out aircraft where flying at that time!

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

In the EoE Photo DB, I have two photos of an He111 being salvaged from Stab/KG4 that FL in the Netherlands on June 20h after a raid on England during the previous night. It had an extensive black undersurface temporary finish, so the use of that dates back even further than Sept., 1940. This a/c was on the same series of raids that Criss Goss is referring to.

[edNorth]

Black undersides date from prewar. Old Ju 52/3m g3e (Auxiliary Bombers) were painted black for upcoming night attacks ... 1938 period..ish. But were not sent.

-Ed