Junkers Ju 88 “T5+BU” (probably an A-4) of 1.Staffel / ObdL (Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe). Picture taken at Bad Zwischenahn airfield in March or April 1941. The Staffel had moved to this airfield at the end of January when it was still equipped with Heinkel He 111’s. In the first three weeks of March they switched to the Ju 88. The Staffel had an authorised strength of 9 aircraft. To make long weather flights over the Northsea and Polar Sea possible, the range of the Ju 88 had to be increased. This was done by removing the ventral gondola with the aft-firing MG. The absence of this defensive weapon to the rear and below led to a number of losses due to British fighters. Note the unit emblem of Westa 1./ObdL and the aircraft’s individual letter “B” painted black on the fuselage and green on the upper side of the wing. The unit code “T5+...U” was used by the Staffel till mid January 1942, after which it was replaced by “D7+...H”. Note also that camouflage precautions are in full process at Bad Zwischenahn. The walls to protect the aircraft against shrapnel and the frame to hold the camouflage nets are already completed. The nets itself have not been installed yet.
Source :
"Luftwaffe im Focus" magazine, edition Nr.1 - 2002
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