World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
27 Aug 2010 03:28:44 PM

Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4/N Trop of I/JG 27
on patrol over the desert.

2.  Bill says:
28 Aug 2010 10:11:02 AM

Photo of a rotte of Bf 109E-4/N Trops flying
over the barren desert of Libya.
If a pilot was forced down, he could die from
the heat of the desert.
Pilots carried extra water,food and survival items.

JG/ 27 kept a number of Fieseler Storch
aircraft on alert, to rescue downed pilots.
Pilots wore light weight tropical clothing
comfort being important, when coping with
the daytime heat.

Pilots would be armed with a Luger, or Walther P-38 pistol. The tropical uniform, when flying is the standard weight flying
suit, some pilots flew in khaki shorts and
shirts,flying helmit w/ goggles, silk scarf to prevent neck chafing, or loose fitting
trousers that would be tucked into the
flying boots the left boot, would carry a
rubber bandolier of signal flares, the pilot had enough room, to carry a knife, extra ammo
and maps. When flying near or overwater, the
pilots wore standard lifejackets.

The Germans camouflaged their aircraft to
match the desert terrain, as the locations
of Luftwaffe airfields was known to the enemy. Fuel, oil, lubricants were shipped
from Germany and were not obtained locally
except from captured British supplies.

Fuel and other supplies, were stockpiled at
airfields and hidden under camouflage or
stored underground. Many of the personnel
bunkers were built underground to keep away
from the heat.

3.  Bill says:
11 Dec 2010 12:55:00 PM

FOLLOW THE LEADER:

Developments of tactical doctrine, fighter
formations, led to the finger four "Schwarm"
(flight) this was called because it resembled
that of the fingertips, of an outstretched
hand.
This important tactical innovation was the
basic fighting unit.

The job of the Rottenfuehrer or leader was to attack and the job of the Rottenflieger
or wingman, was to protect and follow his leader.
The Schwarm was four aircraft that could attack or give mutual protection to each other. The Schwarm was staggered in altitude that improved turning radius and maneuver as a unit.
This development was later used by the RAF for fighting formations and mutual protection

4.  Bill says:
16 Oct 2011 11:28:51 AM

ROTTE OF TWO BF109s:

Flight of two Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4/Trop
First Bf109 "White 3", Pilot is unidentified

Second Bf109 "Black 8', Flown by Feldwebel
Franz Elles, 8./JG27, 1941.

In the Luftwaffe, the flight (Schwarm) was
made up of two pairs of (rotte) leader and wingman.

The schwarm or finger four formation was made up of two pairs of rotte Flight leader, and Flight wingman,
Element leader and Element wingmam. When it was under attack both pairs of rotten would split up and offer protection to each other.