Bf109E W.Nr2023

[Jim P.]

I don't think a month turn around for a 25% loss is that unusual, especially given that the incident occurred at a major base in Germany, which would likely have the facilities to do some major repair work, not to mention being close to material sources. It also would depend on what was damaged. A wing(s) or tail unit could be swapped out pretty quickly I would guess. I suspect I could find quite a number of these situations in my db if I was inclined to look. To me the bigger mystery would be why was it re-assigned to another unit? A 25% loss, more times than not, would stay with the original unit. Was it sent to a depot for repair and then re-assigned or? The fun continues!!

[markjsheppard]

Jim

Only thing I can add is that JG5 seemed to be receiving all of the repaired and hand me down Emils during this period as the other units began equipping with the newer F's and G models.

1407 came from Norway with JG77 to and went to 14./JG77 in Finland
3523 had previous history but unit unknown before it went to 5./JG5
3579 went to LG2, repaired and then upto 13./JG77 and then 4./JG5
8993 (F model) was with JG54 and then went to 6./JG5
I am sure there were others if we researched.

As for the damage, I was thinking the same. Taxying so no belly damage so from a wheels up landing. One wing may well have come upder 25% so it is still possible the listing is correct but not the model (though a B could be read as an E).

regards

Mark

[Jim P.]

Mark,

The model is definitely the problem, but then again the loss reports are full of this sort of typos. The type in this case was definitely reported as 109B - I went through both document sets (BA-MA Signatur RL 2 III/772, Flzg.Unfälle bei Schulen und usw.; BA-MA Signatur RL 2 III/782, Flzg.Unfälle bei Schulen und usw.). They are essentially the same, but in many cases one might be more legible than the other, and there were different handwritten comments on either set - so if the typo was mine I'm completely blind!!

There were units that also seemed to get all the 'hand me downs' other than JG 5. JG 51 flew the Bf 109F-2 well into mid-summer 1942, when other units had gone to the F-4 and early Gs. I think in that case, the plan had been to convert the whole unit to the 190, but, for whatever reason, that didn't happen. Problems in development, the increasing threat along the Channel/North Sea coast, slower than expected production?

[markjsheppard]

Jim

Was not referring to the typo being yours, more the official document from the original return.

regards

Mark

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi.

Until now I have recorded 16 distinct aircraft that went through the repairworks at Erla VII and ended up in JG 5.

There are more, I just haven't had the time to link up all of them from the original records yet.

Regards,
Andreas B

[markjsheppard]

Interestingly have 2009, 2012, 2018 and 2023 lost in the North with JG5.

Kari only looked at March to Sept 1942 (off the top of my head)

TH+CX was the only recorded Stkz (2023).

Others were either in the North or flew up through Finland recorded by W.Nr or tactical number.

regards

Mark

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi, Mark

What is your reference on 2012?

Regards,
Andreas B