6./JG 27's mascot "Bobby" the Berlin Bear

[ValorStudios]

Hello all,

Just wondering if anyone ever came across any accounts of what happened to 6./JG 27's bear mascot "Bobby", given to the squadron in 1940 by the Berlin zoo.

Thanks!
Bryan

The Berlin Bear painted onto the forward cowling of Franz’s plane was the mascot of Franz’s squadron. To honor this, the Berlin Zoo gifted a bear cub named “Bobby” to the unit. The bear lived with Franz and would swim in the pool with the men of his squadron. In late 1944, as Fighter Wing 27 retreated deeper into Germany, Franz was ordered to “Get rid of the bear,” as there was no space to transport Bobby or food to spare. Franz could not bring himself to shoot his bear nor could his squadron mates. A neighboring unit had to do it for them.