Unit badges Ju 52 units Unternehmen Merkur (Crete 1941)

[Marcel van Heijkop]

Dear all,

Transport units are normally not my cup of tea, but on behalf of a friend I have the following questions: Does anybody know the unit badges of the Ju 52 units involved in Unternehmen Merkur (the airborne operation against Crete in 1941)? Can anybody identify or confirm the unit badges on the Ju 52s in the painting (see attachment)?

Thanks in advance and best regards,

Marcel

[edwest2]

In the painting, the leaping stag, in white, is the emblem of KGzbV 106 (alternative). It is correct for Crete. I could not find the upside down N of the nearest aircraft.


Source: Luftwaffe Emblems by Barry Ketley

[Mike Watson]

Hi Marcel.
Assuming the code on the nearest aircraft is correct it appears to be 9P+AV; the Staffel letter V would mean KGrzbv60. Personally I have no pics that show the image for the specific unit. The unit pafticipated in Merkur and was disbanded in June 41.

Source: Luftwaffe Codes ... by Barry Rosch

[Tim O.]

Hi Marcel

Transport units are confusing because they often consisted of only a permanent Staff and aircraft were then assembled from all over the place for major operations such as Merkur.

As Ed says, the leaping stag is usually attributed to KGzbV 106. These photos come from one of the albums of Stabsarzt Dr. Ludwig Grupp, who jumped onto Crete with 5./Luftlande Sturm-Regiment on the first day of Merkur. Interestingly, he captions the aircraft to 'KGrzbV 40', which I think was subordinate to KGzbV 106 for Merkur. These were taken at Tanagra just before Merkur.

Apologies for the watermarks but some of my images have been turning up on e-Bay!

[Marcel van Heijkop]

Thanks gentemen, very nice! BTW, does anybody know which Ju 52 unit carried the badge with the "knight" (i.e. a horse) chess piece?

@Tim O. : And I thought 3./KG66 was difficult...

Best regards,

Marcel

[edwest2]

Hi Marcel,


The unit with the knight chess piece emblem was KGrzbV1.

[Marcel van Heijkop]

Originally Posted by edwest2

Hi Marcel,


The unit with the knight chess piece emblem was KGrzbV1.

And thanks again Ed!

Marcel

[edwest2]

You're welcome Marcel.