It was a standard practice for markers to be placed at a crash site when a successful or experienced pilot was killed. These markers often consisted of a propeller blade and spinner. This photograph shows the grave of Hauptmann Erwin Aichele of Stab I.Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51) who was killed on 29 July 1940 during operations over the English Channel. Aichele's Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4 was damaged in combat and he was forced to make an emergency landing on the coast in Calais area. The aircraft overturned and he was killed. At 39 years of age, Aichele was one of the oldest German fighter pilots.
Source :
Magazine "Luftwaffe im Focus Spezial" No.1 2003
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