Four extraordinary Bf 109 K-4, Hs 129 B-2 or B-3 and Go 145 Pillau-Land Fliegerhorst Spring 1945 pictures

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Hi folks,

With thanks to Peter over on LEMB, here are four out of th common pictures shot sometimes during Spring 1945 at Pillau-Land Fliegerhorst, east Prussia:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/deutsches-Flu...#ht_886wt_1144
At least seven Hs 129 B-2 or B-3 can be seen dispersed, the nearest being "Weisse 11". The unit markings seem consistent with 13.(Pz.)/SG 9.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/deutsches-Flu...#ht_886wt_1144
A unique Bf 109 K-4 which W.Nr. is in the 332 000 335 241 block range given the low visibility camouflage demarcation line, typical of later Mtt-Flössenburg or other Mtt operated Waldwerke in 1945. Given the black tulip decorating it's nose, the unit is certainly II./JG 52, even if only III./JG 51 is known to have operated from Pillau until April 1945, this unit being equipped with Bf 109 G's only.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/deutsches-Flu...#ht_886wt_1144
http://www.ebay.de/itm/deutsches-Flu...#ht_886wt_1144
Two shots of an unknown NSG (NSG 3?) Go 145; note the black camouflage on all lower surfaces.

All pictures seem to have been taken on the same sunny day, between March and up to 16 April 1945, when the airfield was overrun. This is conclusive for the Hs 129 B-2 or B-3 and the Bf 109 K-4, as the Hs 129 can be seen in the distance behind the Bf 109 K-4 shot. It is probable for the Go 145 as at least one can be seen in the background (far right) of the Hs 129 B picture.

One question remains, though: is this really Pillau-Land airfield? The hilly landscape is surprising... Still a very rare grouping indeed.
Marc

[ChristianK]

Hi Marc,
I did some reading and in my opinion it is quite likely that the airfield depicted in the Bf 109/Hs 129 shots is either Schweidnitz (today Swidnica) or Deutsch Brod (today Havlickuv Brod). During the last two weeks of the war both airfields housed Hs 129s of SG 9 as well as JG 52 aircraft and at the same time, so these photos might have been taken during one of these days. I guess the photographer from Pillau/Putzig must have been in this area as the war came to an end. In any case he is responsible for some very rare shots of operational Luftwaffe aircraft only days before capitulation.
It is hard to tell exactly which airfield it is, as both have very similar features and surroundings. Perhaps a Polish or Czech member could help.

Regards,
Christian

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Hallo Christian,

Many thanks for your help! I just checked JaPo's Bf 109 in Deutsch Brod/Havlicku Brod book and it is definitely a good contender for the hilly landscape. The two Hs 129 B with white tactical numerals do also fit well in the general frame... Now remains the tough question for Schweidnitz/Swidnica airfield for which I do not know a single pic...

Thanks again, Christian!
Marc

[John Manrho]

Does not look like Schweidnitz which was much closer to a city.

Cheers,

John

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Many thanks, John! This puts Deutsch Brod as the most probable contender. The background of the Hs 129 B picture does indeed look similar to the Deutsch Brod Bf 109's JaPo (Janda and Poruba 2005) published pics on p. 14 and 33. The left picture on p. 33 does show a similar village setting in the background and the same general layout of hilly woods in the middle distance.

Cheers
Marc

[Steve Coates]

I am not sure that any of these photos are from Schweidnitz-Ost Flugplatz. The landscape doesn't look quite right and usually in photos of the airfield one can see either the tower of the Church of Saints Stanislav and Vaclav which dominated the skyline in Schweidnitz or the chimneys of the Zuckerfabrik Weizenrodau.

They are great photos though.

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Thanks Steve for your thought.

I just found a modern pic of the old Schweidnitz airfield here:
http://www.poszukiwanieskarbow.com/a...20Slotwina.jpg

And this one from another Feldflugplatz, Schweidnitz-Ost:
http://www.poszukiwanieskarbow.com/a...nitz%20Ost.jpg

The background is not fitting, at least in this direction of sight.
Cheers
Marc

[Steve Coates]

Marc - Thanks. This helps make my point. Allowing for the post-war industrial buildings, the church tower can be seen in the background.

[ouidjat]

Hi Guys,

Watch the auction!!!! and two days left !!!!! Just for a Black Tulip ...

[RolandF]

412,- € - won´t be the end of the line, I´m afraid...