World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
7 Oct 2010 03:35:09 PM

AND THERE I WAS:

Shop talk, Major Johann Schalk (center) flew
163 combat missions he was a Veteran of the
Battle of France and the Battle of Britain.

Credit with 15 victories 4 of them on the
Eastern Front. Schalk finished the war as a
Oberst (Colonel) served with ZG/26, NJG/3
and NJG/4. He died in 1987

Oberleutnant Theodor Rossiwal 5/ZG26(right), and unidentified Leutnant (left) discuss
flying tactics.
Messerschmitt Bf 110 3U+ (ZG/26 Heavy Fighter
Wing) note the four kills on tail.

2.  Bill says:
8 Oct 2010 12:04:51 PM

Aircraft behind the three pilots is a
Messerschmitt Bf 110 could be coded (3U+AN?)
flown by Staffelkapitan Oblt. von Treutschler
who was shotdown, during the French Campaign of 1940, and taken POW.

He was later liberated along with his radio
operator/gunner However, due to his wounds
he never returned to active service.
Anyway this is my guess, and I've been wrong
before.

3.  Bill says:
23 Feb 2015 07:05:21 AM

DOGS OF WAR:

Air combat over Europe was fast and swift the pilot who saw an enemy aircraft first, had a good chance to make his attack and shoot it down.
Luftwaffe crews flying over England were at a disadvantage if shot down they became POWs, on the other hand an RAF or Allied pilot and crew shot down and survived, lived to fight another day.

FATE IS THE HUNTER:

Bf-110 (M8+CP) was shot down by Flight Officer R. Smith, RCAF No 1 Squadron on September 4, 1940
Oberstleutnant Gunther Piduhn and Gefreiter Odene
were killed. Eleven days later Flight Officer R. Smith, was shot down and killed by a Bf-109

4.  Bill says:
12 Jun 2015 03:19:24 PM

UNIFORM OF THE DAY:

Flight suits lightweight, K So/34 developed from the K So/33 model. These suits went through changes during the war and were issued in several variations.
Flying helmets issued not shown, LKp S 101 or LKp W 101. Officers ware the standard issued M38 variations were the M34/M35/M42 side cap w/officers silver piping.
Rank sleeve insignia for officers and NCOs were introduced in 1935/36 made up of wings and bars. Ranks shown in photograph left to right
Leutnant, Major and Oberstleutnant Lt. Colonel

Ever photographs tells a story about a certain period in history, its up to the historian to fill in the blanks.

5.  Bill says:
12 Jun 2015 06:43:18 PM

FLYING RANK INSIGNIA:

In file photograph ranks of officers from left to right are. Unidentified Officer Leutnant one wing /w one bar. Major one wing /w two bars and last Oberstleutnant Lt. Colonel two wings /w two bars.

Did you know the Luftwaffe had NCO pilots as the war progressed, many were commissioned as officers and later became group commanders.