Die Knullenkopfstaffel - Fernaufklärung mit der 1. Staffel/Aufklärungsgruppe 123

[edwest2]

You've got me there, Chris.

Best,
Ed

[ErwinR]

Hello Harald,
Thanks for your post, I've just belatedly noticed your reply (post 11). Taking up your offer, if I may ask a small question, looking through my photo albums, all the aircraft in the Knullenkopf squadron have the Knullenkopf motif painted on their wing engine covering, but only some have a personalized one, on the fuselage under the cockpit. I've always thought, all aircraft had a personalized name, would have expected all to have a personalized motif painted on fuselage - or have I got a completely wrong slant on things. Regards

[Knullenkopf]

Hi Erwin,
as I am a new member in this forum, my postings are time shifted, as they still have to be checked and authorized by a moderator ?!
sorry for the delay.

During my research for the book I found out, that the personal fuselage emblems were used during early 1939 until mid 1940 - mainly on the Do17. On the later Ju88s - only the Knullenkopf remained - and no more personal fuselage emblems.

I think it has to do with the increasing losses over UK and the ongoing replacement of the crews.

For example I have a photo displayed in the book, where a Ju88 has a personal emblem on the fuselage - dated with September 1940.

Hope this helps
Harry

[Del Davis]

Harry,
Can you comment on your future plans for publication. I know that you have a 2nd Staffel book in preparation but do you plan to continue with this Geschwader or will you cover others?

[Knullenkopf]

Hi Del,
thanks for your questions.
Indeed my focus is (F)/123 and Luftwaffe reconnaissance in the West and Med.
Therefore my general future plans will tend in this direction.
Nevertheless, the publisher also will have to support my plans, and although I have been researching for a very long time, I am a new and still unknown author ...

I hope my first book of 1.(F)/123 will find enough response, sold copies and positive feedback to go on with the 2nd volume of 2.(F)/123, which will be published in co-operation with a small team of Luftwaffe recce specialists.

Thanks so far for the strong interest in this thread. It makes me confident,
that Luftwaffe reconnaissance is no longer a niche of WW2 air war history.

Regards
Harry

[schnellmeyer]

Hi Harry , great to see you made it here on this great forum . I wish you well with your book and like I said in my emails to you if I can help with any material from my collection , just ask .
Regards
Justin Horgan

[Nick Beale]

Harry, are you really based in Buc, like FAG 123 was — is that how you became interested in them?

[Knullenkopf]

Hi Nick,
Buc (in France) is only my advance airfield - when I start recce missions with (F)123 over UK. As "Knullenkopf" I definitely have to be stationed at Buc - where else?

My actual home base is Austria.

My interest in (F)/123 startet with research of Luftwaffe recce over UK - and has widened in more Luftwaffe recce squadrons / missions in the West and Med. Russia is also quite interesting, but an enormous field of research.
Step by step.

Harry

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Knullenkopf

Hi Nick,
My interest in (F)/123 startet with research of Luftwaffe recce over UK …
Step by step.

Harry

For my work I remind myself: "it's not just fighters." That has got me into all kinds of strange and interesting subjects.

[ErwinR]

Hi Harald,
Very decent of you to reply (post 23) to my enquiry, wish you success with the book. If I can turn up anything as good as Chris's plate, I'll certainly post it.
Best Wishes