eBAy: Captured german planes

[edwest2]

I have seen photos of German aircraft with a "Keep Off!" sign. This was done by air intelligence teams. There were also "Booby Traps!" signs.

The Germans knew that Allied souvenir hunters might climb aboard or, if not for souvenirs, just to get a photo of themselves sitting in an enemy plane.
The British had an agreement with the Americans to exchange certain listed, desirable aircraft when found by either for air intelligence transfer.


When fighter planes were to be abandoned, sometimes a grenade was thrown into the cockpit. For larger aircraft, the Germans placed an explosive charge about midway in the aircraft.
It could be set off once someone came aboard or tried to move the aircraft. I have a photo of two German bombers neatly split in half as a result of this.


Ed