Was 3.(F)/122 based in Belgium at any time in 1940 during the WC or the BoB

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

Have a photo of a Ju88A-1 on an airfield with a large camouflaged tent hangar in the background. On the back is handwritten "Belgium, 1940." Does anyone know if 3.(F)/122 was based in Belgium during 1940? I have it at Münster-Loddenheide AF Germany on 5/10/40 and at Eindhoven AF, Netherlands, on 8/13/40, but don't know if it actually operated from an AF in Belgium during 1940, or if this photo was taken on a casual visit. If it was based in Belgium sometime in 1940, this would help date the photo, which appears to show F6+DL (small possibility F6+DK), with no unit insignia on the starboard nose.

Who can help?

Regards,

[Andy Mitchell]

Larry,

According to ADI(K)802/1940 Bf 110 C-5 F6+MK 2257 originated from "Brussels" for a sortie in which it was lost on 25 Oct 1940.

Have checked the report which contains limited information and does not identify the airfield with any more accuracy.

[Larry Hickey]

Andy,

I've posted two photos today of Ju88 crashes from 1.(F)/122 on this board. Your opinion on these would be appreciated.

Regards,

[Andy Mitchell]

Larry,

Another point to consider is that Erg.(F)/122 recorded a couple of crashes at Melsbroeck during 41. These could be aircraft passed over from another 122 unit.....

16 May 1941
Erg.(F)/122
Ju 88A-5

0459 RT
Crash landed at Brussels-Melsbroeck, 50%.
30 May 1941
Erg.(F)/122
Ju 88A-1

0388 RT
Crash landed at Brussels-Melsbroeck, 40%.


Were there canvas hangers at Melsbroeck?

[Jaap Woortman]

Originally Posted by Andy Mitchell

Larry,
Were there canvas hangers at Melsbroeck?

Canvas hangars were used by the Luftwaffe during the 'Blitzkrieg' in
the West, as far as I know. They were used by repair shops.

Jaap

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

My terminally crashed EoE photo DB is now replaced and back up and I'm posting the photo in question for further comments. This is clearly F6+D? For AufklärGr122, the color of the ring on the prop spinner would indicate the Staffel. I think that this is probably a yellow ring, and thus the full code would be F6+DL, but it could also be red, depending on the film, which would make it F6+DK. This photo had "Belgium" handwritten on the back. Note the large maintenance tent in the background, which might indicate "Western Campaign" of May-June, 1940, as Jaap has suggested. Does this look like a German airfield in Belgium during the late-spring of 1940?

I'd like opinions as to whether this has a yellow or red prop spinner ring, which would give us a full code (either F6+DL or DK), and whether this looks like a WC photo, as opposed to Battle of Britain. There is some kind of building in the background at right, but probably isn't clear enough to help ID the precise location.

Regards,

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

Here is the photo for the above post.

[obdl3945]

Hi, Larry...

For what it's worth, I'd agree with you and say that the spinner band is yellow. To my eye, it looks a little light to be red.

Regards,

Paul

[jvmasset]

Hello!

Just to be clear, the "canvas" hangars behind the Ju are not canvas hangars at all but individual T-hangars (usually masonry+wood) covered with camouflage netting.
Very much used technique in Northern France, Holland and Belgium during the first years of the war...it is impossible to positively identify the location for now...

JVM