Messerschmitt Bf 109

The original, handwritten inscription on the back of this photo reads: Ein Jäger (Me 109) wird getankt. Im Hintergrund Fernbomber. [A fighter (Me 109) is being refueled. In the background long-range bombers.]

The Bf 109 E being tended to here was assigned to 5./JG 53, and the photo was possibly taken in Brittany while the Staffel was operating separately from the rest of the Group, in the early autumn of 1940. The first digit of the Bf 109's two-digit number, a "1", can just be recognized, and the aircraft displays a yellow cowling and rudder.

The aircraft in the background are, from left to right, a Junkers Ju 88 with markings overpainted in black, a Junkers Ju 52/3m, and a Focke-Wulf Fw 200. (German Aviation 1919-1945 collection; additional identification in accordance with information posted by Dr. Jochen Prien at luftwaffe-research-group.org, in September 2014.)

Focke-Wulf Fw 200 26+00

Top photo: Focke-Wulf Fw 200 V3, Werknummer 3099, 26+00 Immelmann III (formerly D-2600, formerly D-ARHU Ostmark). Fw 200 V3 was assigned to the Fliegerstaffel des Führers (F.d.F.) on October 19, 1939. It is seen here in its original civilian paint scheme, before the application of camouflage. Location and exact date photo was taken are currently unknown to me.

Lower photo: Focke-Wulf Fw 200 V3 26+00, now camouflaged, photographed on the occasion of a Führerbesuch [visit by the Führer] at Uman, Ukraine, on August 28, 1941, some three weeks after the city had been occupied by the Wehrmacht. The airfield on the north side of Uman was established by the Luftwaffe shortly after the city was taken. Note the additional Fw 200 and He 111 of the F.d.F. in the background.

Fw 200 26+00 was destroyed during an air raid on July 18, 1944. (German Aviation 1919-1945 collection)

Focke-Wulf Fw 200

Focke-Wulf Fw 200 C-1, F8+DK (formerly BS+AH), Werknummer 0003, of 2./KG 40, exact date and location unknown. Camouflage is 72/73/65. Operational tally inscription on tail fin reads "Narvik [10 bars]" and "England [18 bars]". This aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire from HMS Deptford during a combat flight over the Atlantic on February 9, 1941. After an emergency landing in Portugal, it was destroyed by its crew. (German Aviation 1919-1945 collection)

[Entry amended November 19, 2011, and January 18, 2020.]