Unknown emblem on a Ju 52 in Holland May 1940

[Jaap Woortman]

Dear friends,

Who recognizes this emblem/shield found on a picture of a Ju 52, which has made a crashlanding during the war in the Netherlands in May 1940.
It can be from a unit but also a personnel emblem.

Jaap

[GrahamB]

Hi Jaap,

I don't know if this is anywhere near the solution, but a fairly similar emblem with a lizard/salamander (as in your case) is shown on page 68 of 'Junkers Ju 52 - Aircraft & Legend' by Heinz Nowarra. He identifies the aircraft as belonging Major Beckmann, commander of KGzbV 2, when at Sorau on 2 September 1939. Your emblem could be a later variant?

Cheers

GrahamB

[Jaap Woortman]

Dear Graham,

Thanks for your suggestion. This could be the solution.
Is it possible for you to place a scan of that detail here or send me a copy of the page?

Jaap

[GrahamB]

Kia ora Jaap,

here is a crop of the (already small and dark) Nowarra print. A cute emblem. I wonder what the significance/symbolism was for Beckmann?

Best wishes

GrahamB

[Jaap Woortman]

Graham,

Thanks for the scan. Very much appreciated.
To be honest I always has thought that the figure on the shield was Great Britain. But when you told us about the lizard, I saw the head and the eyes and yes it was not the UK but a lizard. How blind can you be!
Thanks for awakening me!
If we find out more about Beckmann and his emblem we will let you know.

Jaap

[GrahamB]

Hi Jaap,

I'm pleased to be of help. I think the lizard/salamander is actually superimposed on an outline of the British Isles or is transmuted into the same. As for symbolism and Major Beckmann, we need someone who knows his background and military experience...

The mythical 'icy salamander' was said (originally by Aristotle) to be capable of extinguishing fire merely by walking through it. This was later embellished by Mediaeval scholars into the animal actually being nourished by fire. Winston Churchill, after reviewing New Zealand troops at Castel Benito on 4 February 1943, referred to General Bernard Freyberg as "the Salamander, as he may be called, of the British Empire...". Perhaps he had in mind Freyberg's ability to come through several military crises and his physical toughness (wounded several times in both WW1 and WW2)?

Cheers

GrahamB

[Jaap Woortman]

Dear Graham,

See http://www.ritterkreuztraeger-1939-4...-Luftwaffe.htm for some information about Beckmann.
The problem is that there were two Beckmanns. Both have been Transportflieger.
Nowarre has not mentioned a first name?

Jaap

[GrahamB]

Hi Jaap,

either could be, IF Nowarra is right, although Theodor Beckmann looks the better bet.

I've just looked at www.ww2.dk/misc/ob1939.htm and for KgzbV 2 there is no Beckmann for commanding officers in September 1939:

Stab. at Kupper-Sagan Oberst Conrad
I Gruppe at SORAU Hptm von Hornstein.

This isn't really my expertise and is one for the operational/organisational buffs in the group.

Cheers

GrahamB

[Jaap Woortman]

Dear Graham,

I agree with you that Theodor Beckmann is probably the right person.
I also have checked Holm's site.
See http://www.ww2.dk/air/transport/kgrzbv10.html
Maybe Nowarra made a small mistake.

Jaap

[GrahamB]

Dear Jaap,

this now looks much better: Major Theodor Beckmann of KGrzbV 10 then IV./KGzbV 1. Good find.

Best wishes

GrahamB