Messerschmitt Bf 109 Flown by Leutnant Walter Blume

In the summer of 1940, Major Adolf Galland’s III.Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 26 (JG 26) “Schlageter” was based at Caffiers airfield east of Calais, from where it flew missions over England. There III./JG 26’s technical officer, Hauptmann Rolf Schödter, took a series of color photographs. This photo depict the Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4 “Weiße 13”, flown by Leutnant Walter Blume of 7.Staffel / III.Gruppe / JG 26. The four black victory bars on the rudder date the photograph between 25 July 1940 (Blume’s 4th victory) and 15 August 1940 (when Leutnant Blume was lost). Also in evidence are the yellow identity markings introduced by Luftflotte 2 at the beginning of August, which were applied to the wingtips and outer horizontal stabilizers and, in some cases, the top of the rudder. The presence of these yellow markings suggest that the photographs must have been taken in the first two weeks of August. This photo also shows “Weiße 13” with its engine cowling removed. A bullet hole is visible in the machine-gun cover sitting on the ground, indicating that the aircraft had been damaged in combat. A technician is examining the damage. Photo by Hauptmann Rolf Schödter

Source :
  "Luftwaffe im Focus", Spezial No.1 - 2003