II/JG77 in Norway with yellow markings - 1940

[markjsheppard]

Hi all

I was looking through one of Eric Mombeek’s books showing Bf109 E-3 Black 2 or 5./JG77 in Norway taken in 1940. This aircraft clearly has the underwing yellow markings. I know that the yellow was later adopted as the recognition colour for Luftwaffe Forces for Operation Barbarossa (invasion of Russia) in summer 1941. The markings on the Bf109 were nearly a year earlier.

Again I know that Bf109/Bf110’s carried white and then yellow tactical markings towards the end of the Battle of Britain mainly end August and September 1940. This included engine cowlings, fin tips, some tail planes and some wing tips.

Why would II/JG77 aircraft require this being located in Norway and out of range of the NE of England and Scotland.

Is there any more photos/examples of Bf109's in Norway carrying these yellow markings in 1940.

Just seems interesting and unusual.

regards

MS

[Kjetil Aakra]

Hi Mark.

Andreas and me covered this in out recent book (Just check the chapter on II./JG 77).

Seems like the order to use yellow recognition bands (the size and placement of which diffferent from the later Eastern front ones) reached Norway as well.

Here are a few photos from the book showing these bands and their position (in the centre photo the upper crosses are covered by canvas, but note the wing tips - same aircraft is seen in the top photo):





Best regards,

Kjetil

[markjsheppard]

Kjetil

Knew I should have looked in yours and Andreas book but thought about it and posted it when at work.

Will look at it tonight.

Hope all is well.

regards

Mark

[Jochen Prien]

Dear Mark,

you can find some more examples of yellow markings in our Jagdfliegerverbände Vol. 3, page 8 pp. Yellow markings are visible on photos 026, 028, 030 and 032.

Regards

Jochen Prien

[markjsheppard]

Kjetil/Jochen

Thanks for that.

Have a great festive break and a happy new year. All the best for 2009.

regards

Mark