Miscellaneous markings (page 3)

14 September 1943

CX/MSS/3208/T33 (Time of origin 2350/14/9/43)

Addressed to Sea Rescue District HQ XI, Athens, signed Command of Ships and Boats of the GAF [General des Seewesens der Luftwaffe], Kiel, No. 3925/III R:

Ref. Employment of Shipping Camouflage Colours.

In accordance with directive of GAF General with C-in-C of the German Navy [General der Luftwaffe beim Oberbefehlshaber der Marine] No. 2627 of 10/9. the employment of all reddish and violet camouflage colours is to cease forthwith, as it has been ascertained that this entails further danger at the greatest at the greatest distance.

3 February 1944

CX/MSS/T83/36 (Time of origin 0130/3/2/44)

From C in C GAF Ops Staff IA (Robinson)

No. 10054, on 3/2.

Reference A.O. for Fighters No. 23/44

(GR. 1/J) of 13/1/44.

With reference to the above letter, you are referred to Directive, Air Staff Dept. 2, No. 8558/43 of 20/4/43, according to which the decision about the marking of A/C, M/T and heavy equipment with special markings was made the responsibility of the Luftflotten for all their operationally subordinated units. This directive is still valid.

It is, however, pointed out that, as has been proved, the enemy’s intelligence service has obtained from these very unit markings data that are of real value to him. When the South of France was occupied, for example, exact lists of German unit markings were discovered, with exact indications of where at various times these units had been identified. From these, completely correct conclusions about the order of battle and strength of the GAF could be drawn. We must therefore suppose that the enemy can carry out, even in the Reich territory, exact identification and continuous observation of unit markings without any particular difficulty. If permission for the general use of unit markings were given, we should be handing the enemy data that are for him essential for the appreciation of our strength. In so far therefore, as the Luftflotten, on the basis of the directive cited of 20/4/43, have given permission for the general use of unit markings or intend to do so, the above points must be borne in mind.

12 February 1944

CX/MSS/T92/100

2 communications from Chief QM, Chief Engineer on 12/2:

((1)) No. 508:

Subject: re-allocation of units’ recognition markings.

Following units’ recognition markings are allocated:

A2 with recognition markings of a first Staffel for Duty Flight [Flugbereitschaft] of GAF Gen. in Finland.

Z4 for Stab Fliegerführer North (East)

Z4 with recognition markings of a second Staffel for Transport Staffel Rovaniemi.

Recognition markings of all other subordinated units as previously.

You are to report that this has been carried out by 1/4/44.

((2)) No. 507:

Subject: re-allocation of units’ recognition markings.

Stab Fliegerführer Lofoten receives the unit markings W5. The recognition markings of subordinated units as before. Report that this has been carried out by 1/4/44.

6 May 1944

CX/MSS/T176/48 (ZTPG/238290)

Report seen by source, signed 8th Defence Division dated early on 6/5:

One captured a/c type Boeing Fortress II at 05.00 hrs. Camouflage-painted, yellow paint on wings, nationality markings. Four-engined single high tail unit which is also camouflage painted, low wing.

Flying route: Vaerlose – Gjedser – Warnemünde – Riebnitz.

1020/6/544

13 May 1944

SRA 5263

Oberfähnrich (Fighter W/T Operator: Me 410, 1.(F)/121) Captured 26 Apr 44

Our Staffel badge is a wild goose in flight; previously it was … in the other Staffel, where I was before, a kind of crane … the other Staffel had a crane with a coat of arms behind it, it was almost the same — a bird of passage. The R/T codename is also “bird of passage” [»Zugvogel«], when the CO is flying ops — »Bodo to Zugvogel«.

15 June 1944

CX/MSS/T221/70

From (Roman) I./KG 66, Abt. IT to Feldluftgau W. France, QM-QM 1 arms and equipment, (smudge) 4 on 15/6:

For repainting newly allocated a/c (13 Ju 88 S-3) the following is required:

100 kg. thinning, 7200.00

40 kg. a/c paint (black) 7160.22

30 kg. a/c paint (blue) 7160.24

For ops, immediate allocation (collection by receiving authority) requested.

NOTE: This appears to establish that (Roman) I./KG 66 is re-equipping on to Ju 88 S-3. Compare T220/131. T221/26 also mentioned Ju 188.

continued on next page …

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MISCELLANEOUS MARKINGS

PART THREE OF SEVEN