Fighter Stab Markings Querry

[Rob Romero]

“<-+-” indicates Geschwaderkommodore

What about just “-+-”

Thanks

[Leo Etgen]

Hello Rob

I seem to recall reading that it indicated the aircraft of a Staffelkapitän. However, if so it appears to have been somewhat rare. The only photograph of an aircraft with such that comes to my mind at the moment is the Fw 190 A-5 thought to have been flown by Oberstleutnant Walter Oesau, Geschwaderkommodore of JG 2, at Beaumont-le-Roger in February 1943. Hopefully some one else can add additional information.

Horrido!

Leo

[O.Menu]

To my understanding and first introduce in 1936, "-+-" stand for the Geschwader Adjudant.

But it could be associated with a letter like in JG26, with a number like with JG7 or with strange other markings like with JG2. Then those associated signs are related to the different members from the Geschwaderstab.

Hope this help. Olivier.

[Rob Romero]

Thanks guys!

[Stig Jarlevik]

Can anyone point me in the direction where the sign -+- was actually used by a Geschwader Adjutant?

Surely Oesau wasn't when he used it, was he?

Cheers
Stig

[Jim P.]

I have these 3 in my db - and I think possibly Kath (who was the Ges.Adj.) from JG 54 used that marking as well for at least one of his machines in 41-42.

Bf 109E, 1642, Neumann, Hptm. Eduard, , St., Stab, JG 27, schwarzes, --+-, , , , Late-summer 1940., , Kanal, FB E. Neumann; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.1, p.357, photo, , Fl.Pl. Guines, -, F, , ,
Bf 109E-4, 5118, Hofe, Ltn. Werner Pichon Kalau vom, , St., Stab, JG 54, schwarzes, --+--, CA+OO, , 29-Aug-40, Ges.T.O. First flight. 8 more through 18-Sep., , Kanal, FB W. vom Hofe; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, III, p.289, 93 photos?, Menke, Campagne, -, F, , , WNF as Bf 109E-3 on 12-Jan-40.
Bf 109F-4, 7075, SEEGER, Ofw. Günther, , St., Stab, JG 2, schwarzes, -+-, KC+KY, , 21-Oct-41, Injured in Notlandung due to engine trouble., RK., Lfl.3/Kanal, Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #4)-Vol.6; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, V, p.412; Ring, JG 2 loss list, p.6, , Blendeqnes zwischen Wizernes & Arques, 85%, F, , ,

[Rob Romero]

Apparently other symbols were also used for Geschwader Adjutant including <I -I and <A. Does anyone know if some of these were introduced and then discarded and is there any record as to why and when such changes might have occurred? Or was it just a unit preference?

Thanks

[Cpt_Farrel]

Walther Horten flew a Bf109E with -+- markings with Stab./ JG26 in the winter of 1940/1941.

It seems to me that markings in the stab flights varied between units and I don't think it's possible to establish a set of rules that would hold true for all of them.

/Anders

[steve sheridan]

Evening Jim P, hope your well.
I was wondering if you could possibly give any information on Lt Kalau Vom Hofe,s regular a/c, having transfered to JG54 with Trautloft and Kath from III/JG51.
I see from above you list W.Nr5118 flown 9 times thru Aug-Sept 1940, but what was is usual a/c during this period with the Stab/JG54.
Best regs,
Steve.

[Jim P.]

His two primary machines before and after WNr. 5118 were:

Bf 109E-4, 1490, Hofe, Ltn. Werner Pichon Kalau vom, 21, I., Stab I., JG 20, schwarzes,<o + , ER+GA, Ax of Lower Rhein beneath cockpit, 13-May-40, Gr.T.O. First flight. His 'regular' machine through 20-Aug-40., 2-Jun-40 to III./JG 51?, Westfeldzug/Kanal, FB W. vom Hofe; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, III, p.187-8 photos; Meyer & Stipdonk, Von der Fliegerschule zum Einsatzverband p.112 photo, , , -, F, , ,
Bf 109E-4, 5897, Hofe, Oblt. Werner Pichon Kalau vom, 22, St., Stab, JG 54, schwarzes, ---o+, , , 20-Sep-40, Ges.T.O. Photographed after 6th vic. on 27-Oct. His regular machine through 19-Apr-41., , Kanal, FB W. vom Hofe; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IV.2, p.291 photos; Stipdonk & Meyer/JG 51 p.200 photo; FB, , , -, F, , ,