The bell rings for 2./JG 3 in March 1940.

[ouidjat]

Hello Gents,

A couple of month ago I loaded a photo showing us the 2./JG 3 emblem on cowling (the bell with Südettenpartei wappen Inside).
Photo which had been published in Jagdwaffe but with less definition so the bell wasn't clear.

Now, digging in my pictures, I found that one downloaded in February 2012.
Rote 12
Well destroyed
And the famous Bell emblem on cowling, small size like the previous one.

Remember Prien wrote that this emblem remained in use until spring 1940.
Well ...
The only one in Prien's loss list - if complete - is Uffz. Hering, 16-Mar-1940.
2. Staffel, spring time, and 95% ...

I like to think it's that one. Comments??

Regards, Franck.

[Clint Mitchell]

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=35119

[ouidjat]

Yes Clint; Thank you. And ?

[sidney]

Yep, this might have been Uffz. Hering's aircraft crashed on 16 March 1940 alright.

[Clint Mitchell]

And what?

[Larry Hickey]

Franck,

Good catch. No question that the bell insignia was used by 2./JG3 into the late-winter or early spring of 1940. I have an excellent photo of that in the EoE photo DB on the cowling of a 1940-camouflaged a/c, which I will post here. Note that the trees appear to be leafing out in the background, so this may indicate that this insignia may have continued in use until April.

http://ihra.smugmug.com/photos/i-9K5...-9K5rgkK-L.jpg

Regarding the crash photo that you posted, my notes say I won that photo on eBay, but the scan in the DB is from the auction (same as you posted) and not from the original. Got to see what happened to the original. Anyway, I think that this is an excellent match up to the March 16, 1940, 2./JG3 crash by Uffz Hering. We've already completed a color profile for the Sta Kap, Hptm Heinz Gärtner, R1+ with the Sudenten Bell insignia. This represents 2./JG3 for Sept., 1939, and the Hering a/c might well make an excellent candidate for the Phoney War/Sitzkrieg profile. I believe that this is "Red 12." Certainly by the beginning of the WC/FC the unit was using the I Gr Tazelwurm insignia on all its a/c.

In the EoE DB we currently carry the Hering incident as:

16 March 1940: I./JG3 Messerschmitt Bf109E. Hit an obstacle on landing at Bonn-Hangelar. (Ff) Uffz [ ] Hering unhurt. Aircraft 95% damaged - write-off.

Can anyone provide other views of this crash and/or the first name of Uffz Hering, so that we can complete the info on this incident?

Good match Franck. Your efforts are appreciated.

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator

[Andreas Brekken]

Hello, Larry

I have multitude of Hering's in my personnel database - but not many fighter pilots.

There was a Uffz. Hering in III./ JG 26 in August 1943, no first name recorded, maybe Matti have some info from the NVM?

Also, an Arthur Hering with ZG 76 in late 1940 - assuming he transferred from Bf 109s to Bf 110s.

Two possibilities at least.

Regards,
Andreas

[Matti Salonen]

Uffz Hans Hering from 1./JG 3 and Heinrich Hering from 7./JG 26 (later 9. and 12./JG 26). No other Herings in fighters.

Matti

[ouidjat]

Hi,

Thanks Larry; you're welcome.
Thanks guys for your comments.

Regards, Franck.

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

If Matti has correctly identified the pilot, Uffz Hering, his membership in 1./JG3 suggests that this is not the same crash as what appears to be "Red 12" in the crash photo. That would appear to be a 2 Staffel a/c.

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator