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Thread: Luftwaffe Fighter Organisation and Tactical Markings

  1. #1

    Default Luftwaffe Fighter Organisation and Tactical Markings

    With the ready availability of Messerschmitt Bf 109Es I thought I would repost information regarding the organisation and tactical markings used by the Jagdwaffe in 1940 as a guide for those wanting to produce their own decals or purchase from other sources. I know there are many out there for whom this is common knowledge, this post is for those less familiar with the subject.

    The Jagdwaffe organisation in 1940 was as follows:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    The image below displays common tactical marks used to identify aircraft assigned to the Geschwaderstab, however there were also variations to these standard marking from unit to unit:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    The image below shows the Gruppenstab markings and those of the Staffeln, including the colours of the numbers, which were also often applied to the fuselage marks. Again there were variations in the fuselage marks, for example III./JG26 used a vertical bar in place of the undulating bar. Although this image shows a IV Gruppe these were not added until much later in the war.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    I hope everyone enjoys decaling their new 109s as much as I have!
    Last edited by Carl_Brisgamer; 05-06-2017 at 12:39.

  2. #2

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    Thanks for this Carl.
    I probably have this somewhere, but yours was easy to bookmark.

  3. #3

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    Some good Gen for the Luftwaffe fans

    "He is wise who watches"

  4. #4

    Thumbs up

    Excellent resource Carl.
    Would give Rep but Gun Jammed!

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  6. #6

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    The webpage linked below has a great compilation of information regarding 109s and their units:

    http://www.asisbiz.com/Battles/camouflage.html

  7. #7

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    Great info Carl!

    Many thanks for posting.
    I laugh in the face of danger - then I hide until it goes away!

  8. #8

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    That was very informative Carl.

    I am currently researching markings for Major Max Bucholz who flew with JG3 (Udet) in a Bf 109E-1.

    So the link was also helpful.

    Keep up the great work.

    Skippy.

  9. #9

  10. #10

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    Thank you for all this valuable information on the Luftwaffe, Carl. It will be a big help when putting the decals on my models.

  11. #11

    RFT's Avatar
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    So apoliogies, but there's something I don't quite follow on the second image once we get down to Staffel level and their individual planes.

    As i'm reading it, each of the small 109 images is representing a Staffel, which is 12 aircraft - so how was the marking done at that lowest level for an individual aircraft? was it white 1-12 for the first, then red 1-12 for the second, then yellow 1-12 the third (with the marking behind the cross to differentiate 1. staffel's "white 3 +" from 4 staffels "white 3 + -" / 10 staffel's "white 3 + ~" etc. is that right?

  12. #12

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    Quote Originally Posted by RFT View Post
    So apoliogies, but there's something I don't quite follow on the second image once we get down to Staffel level and their individual planes.

    As i'm reading it, each of the small 109 images is representing a Staffel, which is 12 aircraft - so how was the marking done at that lowest level for an individual aircraft? was it white 1-12 for the first, then red 1-12 for the second, then yellow 1-12 the third (with the marking behind the cross to differentiate 1. staffel's "white 3 +" from 4 staffels "white 3 + -" / 10 staffel's "white 3 + ~" etc. is that right?
    Correct. The first Group (I Gruppe) had no markings behind the fuselage 'Balkenkreuz', the second Group (II Gruppe) had the horizontal bar and the third Group (III Gruppe) had the wavy (undulating) line or a vertical line. These lines where often painted in the colour of the numerals, so the seventh aircraft of the 7.Staffel would look like:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Last edited by Carl_Brisgamer; 05-09-2017 at 02:20.

  13. #13

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    Thanks. the fact that the image showed different colours and numbers for each staffel was confusing me slightly. Not your fault, of course.

  14. #14

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    Here's another example of a 9.Staffel aircraft (Yellow 10) using a vertical line instead of the wavy line.

    Click image for larger version. 

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  15. #15

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    Another panel showing some examples of Geschwaderstab tactical mark variations.

    Click image for larger version. 

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  16. #16

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    Great information, Carl.

    That makes sense.

    I ordered one new Bf.109E. Now I have to check which decals I'll use to group them with the deluxe set Messerschmitts.
    Voilŕ le soleil d'Austerlitz!

  17. #17

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    Quote Originally Posted by Marechallannes View Post
    Great information, Carl.

    That makes sense.

    I ordered one new Bf.109E. Now I have to check which decals I'll use to group them with the deluxe set Messerschmitts.
    The Emils in the Battle of Britain Starter set are White 13 from 1.JG2 and Yellow 5 from 9.JG2. The decals in the Squadron Pack will allow you to make Rottenkameraden for either aircraft, or the Technisches Offizier for Gruppenstab II./JG2.

  18. #18

    Default Late war Defense of the Reich fuselage bands

    These are not for 109Es but were adopted in the last 2 years of the war by Jagdgeschwader engaged in the 'Reichsverteidigung'.

    Click image for larger version. 

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  19. #19

  20. #20

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    Carl, one of the Bf 109E's in the BoB Starter Set bears the number 13 and there is a decal for the number 14 in the squadron packs. Would these be the Staffel's spare aircraft or from a fourth Staffel, do you think?

  21. #21

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    Quote Originally Posted by Naharaht View Post
    Carl, one of the Bf 109E's in the BoB Starter Set bears the number 13 and there is a decal for the number 14 in the squadron packs. Would these be the Staffel's spare aircraft or from a fourth Staffel, do you think?
    They were generally reserve aircraft that were assigned as required. They could be flown by anyone from the Staffelkapitän down.

  22. #22

    Default Bf 109E camouflage demarcation lines

    Another reference card for those who may want to modify the camouflage on their Emils.

    Click image for larger version. 

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  23. #23

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    Thank you for clarifying that for me, Carl.

  24. #24

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    Quote Originally Posted by Naharaht View Post
    Thank you for clarifying that for me, Carl.
    Happy to share Dave, one of the best things about this forum

  25. #25

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    You've put a great deal of time and effort into this, Carl.

    Result, a superb set of guidelines that I WILL take advantage of, when I can make the time.

    Very many thanks indeed.
    I laugh in the face of danger - then I hide until it goes away!

  26. #26

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    That's interesting. Thanks!

  27. #27

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    Very helpful images. Thanks for posting!

    Just curious, if anyone can provide details-what were the duties of the "Technical Officer?" I remember there are instructions for the Technical Officer's fighter that came with my 109 that I purchased.

  28. #28

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    Quote Originally Posted by Wolfbiter View Post
    Very helpful images. Thanks for posting!

    Just curious, if anyone can provide details-what were the duties of the "Technical Officer?" I remember there are instructions for the Technical Officer's fighter that came with my 109 that I purchased.
    Technical Officers had specialised training in technical matters relating to aircraft and equipment. Their job was to assess the effectiveness of aircraft, ammunition, and other equipment in the field and provide feedback to facilitate improvements.

    From "Luftwaffe Fighter Force: The View from the Cockpit"

    "Technical Officers. At the beginning of the War, the TOs (technical officers) were always flying officers who in part had been at special T.O. courses. It was then regarded as essential that every formation leader should have some knowledge of technical matters and that the prerequisites for this knowledge were courses and some experience as technical officer. In most cases it was so that the TOs didn’t like to stay off missions, flew along too often, and worried too little about their chief job. The inadequate number of flying officers led to the situation that flying officers were no longer trained as TO and could not be used long enough to gain experience. The use of old chief mechanics and grounded officer pilots, the latter after a short technical course, proved to be very good."

    In the Jagdwaffe technical officers were forbidden to fly operations from late 1940. One of the more famous was Oberleutnant Walter Horten who flew as wingman to Adolph Galland from July to September 1940, during which time he scored seven victories. In 1941 Walter left the front to work with his brother Reimar on their flying wing designs.

  29. #29

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    Ah, thanks for that! So if I understand correctly, Technical officers did not fight in combat after the end of 1940?

    I was considering getting a new 109 and decaling it as a Technical Officer but if they are noncombatants from 1941 onwards I may change my mind.

  30. #30

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    Quote Originally Posted by Wolfbiter View Post
    Ah, thanks for that! So if I understand correctly, Technical officers did not fight in combat after the end of 1940?

    I was considering getting a new 109 and decaling it as a Technical Officer but if they are noncombatants from 1941 onwards I may change my mind.
    They were officially 'grounded' but I am pretty sure I have read that those who could continued to fly, just not as often.

    I'll find you a reference.

  31. #31

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    Quote Originally Posted by Carl_Brisgamer View Post
    They were officially 'grounded' but I am pretty sure I have read that those who could continued to fly, just not as often.

    I'll find you a reference.
    Leutnant Werner Pichon-Kalau vom Hofe was a technical officer with III.JG51 in 1940 and from 1941 with the Geschwaderstab JG54 until mid 1942. He was credited with 21 victories at the front before being transferred to General Galland's staff. Below is vom Hofe's Bf 109F-2 June 1941. The tail indicates his six kills in the west to which he added 15 in the east.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    I am sure he is not the only TO who kept flying and racking up kills, I think you are safe to add a '<0' aircraft to any 1941 Stabsschwarm.

    PS - The 'Friedrich' is a beautiful machine, if Ares would include it as an official miniature I would buy an entire Gruppe!

  32. #32

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    Thanks again! And I also would enjoy seeing a well-crafted 109F mini ... And buy a few myself. ☺



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