3./JG 54 loss summer 1941

[sidney]

Dear All,

I am looking for more details (i.e., date, pilot, W.Nr.,... etc.) on the loss of the Bf 109 F-2 "Yellow 11" of 3./JG 54 at Pleskau? sometime in the summer of 1941, during Operation Barbarossa. Any assistance in the matter will be greatly appreciated.

Source of the photographs: An expired eBay auction, also discussed on the LEMB here http://www.luftwaffe-experten.org/fo...17503&p=119693 on 12 June 2014.

Regards,
Sinisa

[ouidjat]

Dear Sidney,

I have no answer but a comment. Your unit designation is interesting.
Here is another expired eBay auction, among others, picturing this accident.
Please, note the tactical code number style,
then, compare with another photo given by Prien in JFV 6.II, page 196; "Weissen 3" 1./JG54!

Hence:
- Did all Staffeln adopt that style during that period? Or if only one ... which one?
These are not the only pictured machines: I have that "11", that "3", one "8", one "9" and one "10" ...
- Or, since the 3./JG54 emblem seems to be overpainted; is it possible, too, that "our" eleven did simply not belong to 3./JG54 ... And code colour isn't Yellow.

Jochen provides us with only one loss in Pleskau (may be only in seller's dream) with 15% damage... Doesn't seem to be that one.

Best regards, Franck.

[sidney]

Dear Franck,

Thank you for your reply. I don't think that the emblem was obliterated, just perhaps faded in the sun and covered with dust.

As for the numeral colour, I am not sure whether the Luftwaffe fighter units used the red colour for the aircraft numerals at this point in time. That leaves us with three colours, white, black and yellow. This particular "11" must have been applied in yellow.

Thank you also for the attached photo of the aircraft starboard side.

Regards,
Sinisa

[sidney]

Thanks to Franck for identification. It is unfortunate that the engine cowling on the starboard side is in the open position, so we cannot be sure whether the 3./JG 54 emblem was sported on both port and starboard sides.

Source: eBay auction http://www.ebay.de/itm/Foto-Luftwaff...item3a9a2139df

[ouidjat]

Yes indeed Sidney,

I (we?) already had this shot but full of "antifuchs" markings on it.
Hope you did notice the "Red 11" seller's own caption ?

But don't start another conversation about it please. Just a wink.

Regards, Franck.

[robert]

Hi,

this is 2./JG54`s aircraft!

Regards

Robert

[ouidjat]

What is your source Robert please?

[robert]

Just see the photos of 2./JG54 starting from early 1940 and think!
3./JG54 always used standard style.

Regards

Robert

[sidney]

For comparison purposes I herewith attach a photo of the "White outline 1" of 2./JG 54 from an expired eBay auction. I also thought that 2./JG 54 changed the appearance of its numerals at the beginning of Operation Barbarossa, as witnessed on Oblt. Reinhardt Hein's "Black 1" lost on 6 August 1941 (source: Jagdwaffe series of books, Volume 3.2 Operation Barbarossa, page 146). Perhaps in this particular case we are talking about the evolution of the numeral style with 3./JG 54?

[robert]

"11' was an early loss.

Regards

Robert