II or III/KG 76

[Chris Goss]

The attached shows a 9/KG 76 Do 17 Z shot down on 18 Aug 40. However, the same badge appears on a Do 17 Z coded F1+HN in May/June 1940. I know that II/KG 76 reformed in Jul 40 but can anyone offer any suggestions?

[Larry Hickey]

Chris,

As you say your photo shows a 9./KG76 Do17Z (F1+CT) FL in France on 18 August after the Kenley raid. This insignia has been a problem for years, as it clearly appeared on the port side nose during the WC/FC on 5./KG76 Do17s (Stephani's much photographed a/c), then later, during the BoB on 9./KG76 Do17s, as here. Apparently when II./KG76 reformed some of the aircrew and aircraft went to 9./KG76, whose insignia during the WC was bombs falling on the the Eiffel tower with a frantic upside-down rooster underneath. Since by the BoB this was no longer appropriate, the old 5./KG76 insignia was adopted as the new one for 9./KG76 as a more appropriate emblem. When it was on 5 Staffel a/c, the prop spinners and staffel fuselage bands were red. When it appeared on 9 Staffel Do17s, the prop spinners and staffel fuselage bands were yellow, as they had been when the planes carried the old Eiffel tower insignia during the WC/FC. At least, that's the way that I've sorted this out.

Here is the EoE LW loss listing for the a/c in your photo:

"18 August 1940: 9./KG76 Dornier Do17Z-3. Damaged during low-level attack on Kenley and flew back on one engine to belly-land near Abbeville. FF Fw [ ] Reichel unhurt, BM Uffz Albert Haas slightly wounded in both legs - admitted to hospital in Pontoise, Sonderführer Rolf von Pebal (of Kr.Ber.Komp.4) and rest of crew unhurt. Aircraft F1+CT 60% damaged - write-off."

Do you, or anyone else have Reichel's first name?

[steve sheridan]

Hi Chris, i believe this insignia belonged to 5/KG76 and was retained when 9 staffel became a part of the new III/KG76 circa late june -july 1940.

Quite a large number of 5th staffel aircrew transfered into the newly formed 9th staffel during this time, seems likely that they retained their former emblem.
Sorry i cant help with the identity of your photo, i dont have this one in my collection.

Best regs,
Steve.

[Matti Salonen]

Very probably Fw Adolf Reichel, who was in summer 1941 in 4./KG 76 and finally as Ofw in 4./KG 6 in summer 1944.

Matti

[Chris Goss]

Larry

Thanks for this. You have asked about Reichel's christian name 3 times now!:

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showth...hlight=Reichel

This was the first time.

Steve

The identity is well known as Larry has indicated-I have at least 2 photos of this crash

[steve sheridan]

Chris at the time of writing my post I weren't aware of the identity.
My post was edited to say Larry beat me to it!
Rgs,
Steve.