Luftwaffe Flight Cap

A Luftwaffe navigator checks his course while laying in the nose of his Heinkel He 111 medium bomber. He is wearing a fliegerkopfhaube (flight cap). During World War I, most pilots quickly realized the need for protective headgear due to the cold weather effects while in an open cockpit.  As no headgear was readily available, pilots were forced to utilize commercially produced leather motorcycle and automobile helmets.  During World War II, the German military produced approximately 10 variations of flight helmets for various operational conditions, as well as with or without radio communication equipment.  This specific helmet was designed with radio equipment for fighter and bomber pilots.  It was similar to the earlier model used in the early months of the Battle of Britain (LWpW100), however with updated features.

Source :
https://www.angelfire.com/on4/okw/luftwaffe2.htm
https://axis-militaria.com/product/ww-ii-german-aircraft-lkpw101-fliegerkopfhaube-winter-flight-cap-nice/

Pilot and Navigator of Heinkel He 111

Pilot (right) and navigator in the cockpit of the German bomber Heinkel (Heinkel He-111). The pilot is Major Eduard Zimmer (last rank Oberst), Gruppenkommandeur IV.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 100. The picture itself was taken around 1942 in the Eastern Front by Michael Sobotta.

Source :
https://www.bpk-bildagentur.de/shop
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=168491
https://waralbum.ru/381725/

MG Gunner on a He 111 Cockpit

German Machine-Gunner in the Cockpit of a two-engine Heinkel He-111 medium bomber, 1940. These He 111 crews of Kampfgeschwader 26 (KG) 26 had long flights over the North Sea from their bases in Norway to contend with, as well as the prospect of meeting RAF fighters off the northeast coast of Britain as they approached their targets.

Source :
"RAF Fighters vs Luftwaffe Bombers; Battle of Britain" by Andy Saunders

Refueling Petrol to Junkers Ju 52

German Luftwaffe pilot refueling a Junkers Ju 52 transport plane in Russia, January 1943. The aircraft has been camouflaged in white painting. Even the seemingly mundane tasks of an engine over-haul and refueling are fascinating to watch! The picture was first published in 'Signal' magazine, 3/1943 edition.

Source :

https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/world-war-ii-pilot-refuelling-a-ju-52-with-white-camouflage-news-photo/548148119

Ritterkreuzträger Josef Luxenberger Back from a Successful Mission

Hauptmann Josef Luxenburger (2 April 1915 - 5 September 2009) just back from a successful mission. He received the coveted Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses) on 3 April 1943 as Oberleutnant and Beobachter (Observer) of 4.Staffel / II.Gruppe / Kampfgeschwader 55 (KG 55) "Greif". He also received Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse und I.Klasse; and Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (2 January 1942). The wing of the aircraft in the background is from a Heinkel He 111 medium bomber, the standard bomber for KG 55 from its conception through to the last days of the war.

Source :
http://das-ritterkreuz.de/index_search_db.php4?modul=search_result_det&wert1=3935&searchword=luxenburger

Refuelling of Messerschmitt Bf 109

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. With the repair completed, a member of the ground crew fills the glycol tank of “Weiße 13”. Note the red servicing instructions applied by band beneath the filler point: “Füllung… 50% Wasser, 50% Glycol, 1.5% Schutzöl” (Filling… 50% Water, 50% Glycol, 1.5% Preservative Oil). The bullet hole is clearly visible in the machine-gun cover in the foreground. The shape of the hole shows that the bullet came from behind. Also note the Geschwader emblem of JG 26 and the black spinner. Strangely the work is being watched by a civilian in overalls (possibly a team member of Profesor Kurt Tank, Focke-Wulf’s chief designer).

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

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

Focke-Wulf Fw 44 J Training Aircraft

This pleasing photograph of an overall silver Focke-Wulf Fw 44 J training aircraft, coded CO+CG, was taken in the late summer of 1940. This machine, whose Werknummer was 2396, was from the last Stieglitz production batch and was built by CKD of Prague in July 1940. Heer soldiers standing in the background, the tall grass, and the crewman running back to the machine with a bag, may indicate that the aircraft was involved in maneuvers. The landing area has been marked with flags and the aircraft marshaled into position, which further supports this scenario. Photo by Hauptmann Rolf Schödter.

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

A Staffelkapitän in Front of a Junkers Ju 88A Bomber during the Balkan Campaign

 A German Luftwaffe Staffelkapitän with the rank of Oberleutnant in front of a Junkers Ju 88A bomber during the Balkan campaign, spring 1941. Staffelkapitän is a position (not a rank) in flying units (Staffel) of the German Luftwaffe that is the equivalent of RAF/USAF Squadron Commander. Usually today a Staffelkapitän is of Oberstleutnant or Major rank. In the Luftwaffe of the Wehrmacht the Staffelkapitän usually held the rank of an Oberleutnant or Hauptmann. For the first weeks of his assignment he was known as a Staffelführer (Squadron Leader), until he was confirmed in this position. If a Non-commissioned officer was tasked with this role, he was also referred to as a Staffelführer. With the beginning of the Balkan Campaign, yellow fuselage bands were introduced for those Luftwaffe units involved. Yellow wingtips, especially lower wings and rudders, were used additionally. Completely yellow painted engine cowlings disappeared with fall of 1941. Apart from these theatre, refered markings staffel or unit leaders always preferred yellow or white painted rudders. The colourful wing and rudder markings gradually disappeared towards the later war, when allied air superiority made more camouflage efforts necessary.

Sources :
Book "The Second World War in Colour: Luftwaffe" by John Christopher
http://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Ju-88/Junkers-Ju-88/pages/Junkers-Ju-88A-during-Balkans-1941-01.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staffelkapit%C3%A4n
http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=ForumsPro&file=viewtopic&t=11415&start=0&finish=15&printertopic=1

Luftwaffe Observer Checking his Position on the Map

The Beobachter – the literal translation of the term is ‘observer’ – checking his position on the map. He is inside the glazed nose section of a Heinkel He 111. The medium bomber crew comprised of the Flugzeugführer (pilot), Beobachter (observer), Bordfunker (radio operator), Bordmechanik (flight engineer), and Bordschütze (gunner) - most of them in fact doubling as gunners when all guns were manned simultaneously. Most of the crew were stationed together in the nose sections of their comparatively small He 111s, Do 17s, and Ju 88s; consequently, well-placed enemy fire could rapidly inflict devastating casualties. Aircrews frequently knew little of the precise nature of their target, sometimes not even the name of the city, and were often not interested. Their only real concerns were to know about the levels and type of defence they might expect to encounter. Only the Beobachter needed to know that much detail, and even he received only the shortest of briefings, with target descriptions often limited to little more than map references. As the Staffel (Squadron) grew even more familiar with their operational areas and routes, information could be reduced to an airfield or factory name only. Before long this perfectly adequate, as veteran crews could navigate by sight and memory alone

Sources :
Book "Kampfflieger: Bomber Crewman of the Luftwaffe 1939-45" by Robert F. Stedman
Book "Luftwaffe Air & Ground Crew 1939-45" by Robert F. Stedman
Book "The Second World War in Colour: Luftwaffe" by John Christopher

A Group of Focke Wulf Fw 200 "Condor" Pilots Preparing for a Mission in 1940

 A group of Focke Wulf Fw 200 "Condor" pilots preparing for a mission in 1940. At the same time Condor operations started in the Atlantic, the strategic situation was changing for the Third Reich. Even in July and August 1940, with the Battle of Britain raging, Hitler had lost whatever enthusiasm he had for invading Great Britain, and was already dreaming of his next war, with the USSR. So when it was proposed that the Luftwaffe and Krigsmarine establish a total blockade against the British Isles, Hitler readily agreed, as it freed up the Weremarcht to get moving eastward. Hitler calculated that even if the blockade didn't knock Britain out of the war entirely, it would weaken it to the point the island nation would be unable to oppose his plans, and allow the Nazi war machine to deal with the Soviets without distraction. The key to this strategy would be cooperation between the German air force and navy – which (spoiler alert!) was never very good. In fact, at one point Nazi Germany would be waging no less than five campaigns against British supply lines, with very little coordination between any of them. The search method of the Fw 200, however, was excellent for bombing attacks: given the low visibility haze that usually obtained over the Atlantic, a Condor would be visible to a ship only for a minute or two before it was dropping its bombs. Condors until the C-4 had a very basic bomb-sight, so the attack method was a low level bombing run 'bracketing' the target with the Condor's bomb load. Initially attacking convoy stragglers, Condor crews soon learned that convoys away from land based air cover had no defenses at all against air attacks. So, even a glass bird like the Condor could be used as an effective low level bomber. Petersen, once he discovered this, knew he had found the Condor's niche. As the Battle of Britain ended and the Blitz began, the improvements made to the Condor with the C-3 began to pay dividends. The Germans had been caught off guard before the war began for the need of a maritime bomber; now it was Britain’s turn to be caught off guard. The picture presented here are from the book "Fliegende Front" by by Hauptmann Walter-Eberhard Alexander Albert Freiherr von Medem (4 May 1887 - 9 May 1945), published in 1942 by Verlag ‘Die Wehrmacht’ KG. in Berlin. The book must be regarded as typical propaganda material to show the German population how well the war was progressing. ‘Die Wehmacht’ published a series of other propaganda books during the war. They also released sets of photo postcards from the war

Source :
http://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/user/89479-mcdeth187/?tab=reputation&app_tab=forums&type=received&st=15
http://www.letletlet-warplanes.com/2013/04/25/luftwaffe-colour-propaganda-photos/

A Group of German Bomber Pilots at Mission Briefing

A group of Focke Wulf Fw 200 "Condor" pilots preparing for a mission in 1940. Looking at the map the target seems to be England. At the same time Condor operations started in the Atlantic, the strategic situation was changing for the Third Reich. Even in July and August 1940, with the Battle of Britain raging, Hitler had lost whatever enthusiasm he had for invading Great Britain, and was already dreaming of his next war, with the USSR. So when it was proposed that the Luftwaffe and Krigsmarine establish a total blockade against the British Isles, Hitler readily agreed, as it freed up the Weremarcht to get moving eastward. Hitler calculated that even if the blockade didn't knock Britain out of the war entirely, it would weaken it to the point the island nation would be unable to oppose his plans, and allow the Nazi war machine to deal with the Soviets without distraction. The key to this strategy would be cooperation between the German air force and navy – which (spoiler alert!) was never very good. In fact, at one point Nazi Germany would be waging no less than five campaigns against British supply lines, with very little coordination between any of them. The search method of the Fw 200, however, was excellent for bombing attacks: given the low visibility haze that usually obtained over the Atlantic, a Condor would be visible to a ship only for a minute or two before it was dropping its bombs. Condors until the C-4 had a very basic bomb-sight, so the attack method was a low level bombing run 'bracketing' the target with the Condor's bomb load. Initially attacking convoy stragglers, Condor crews soon learned that convoys away from land based air cover had no defenses at all against air attacks. So, even a glass bird like the Condor could be used as an effective low level bomber. Petersen, once he discovered this, knew he had found the Condor's niche. As the Battle of Britain ended and the Blitz began, the improvements made to the Condor with the C-3 began to pay dividends. The Germans had been caught off guard before the war began for the need of a maritime bomber; now it was Britain’s turn to be caught off guard. The picture presented here are from the book "Fliegende Front" by by Hauptmann Walter-Eberhard Alexander Albert Freiherr von Medem (4 May 1887 - 9 May 1945), published in 1942 by Verlag ‘Die Wehrmacht’ KG. in Berlin. The book must be regarded as typical propaganda material to show the German population how well the war was progressing. ‘Die Wehmacht’ published a series of other propaganda books during the war. They also released sets of photo postcards from the war

Source :
http://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/user/89479-mcdeth187/?tab=reputation&app_tab=forums&type=received&st=15
http://www.letletlet-warplanes.com/2013/04/25/luftwaffe-colour-propaganda-photos/

Luftwaffe Soldiers in North Africa with Tropical Helmet

 Luftwaffe aircrew from Zerstörergeschwader 26 (ZG 26) "Horst Wessel" wearing tropenhelm (tropical/sun helmet) in the makeshift airfield of North African desert, 1942. In the background are Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter-bomber. When the German army headed to North Africa and other tropical regions during the Second World War it utilized the sun helmet. The Luftwaffe, Germany’s air arm, followed ground units to the Mediterranean theater where it made up a significant portion of the “Afrika Korps,” and included the Fliegerführer Afrika. The Luftwafffe personnel, who included air crews, Flak troops and support units were equipped with a variation of the Model 1940 sun helmet. The first version of the helmet was the French-made version – which was based on the French Model 1931 cork sun helmet. These were a four panel helmet, which was covered in a blue-brown fabric. It has been suggested that there were French Air Force helmets, but there is no evidence to support this claim. On the contrary French Air Force uniforms of the period were brown (like the French Army’s), so it is more likely these helmets were meant to be the same color as the German Luftwaffe uniforms. Period photos suggest that these helmets were issued with and without the tri-color shield and Luftwaffe eagle. The shield and eagle were made from a zinc alloy and attached to the helmet with prongs that penetrated the cork body. What is also known is that the blue-brown helmet was not widely issued and should be considered quite rare today. The helmet was replaced by a green canvas/twill version. These helmets were six panels and are of the same pattern as those used by the ground forces. The liner system of this helmet was held to the outside ring of material by six cotter type pins. The green canvas helmets were also apparently short lived and replaced by the tan/khaki colored version – and is thus far more prevalent than the green canvas type. Both the green and khaki versions used the same insignia as the previous blue-brown helmet. While a felt version of the tropical helmet was produced it was only issued to ground forces and there is no evidence that it was used by the Luftwaffe.

Source :
http://www.militarysunhelmets.com/2014/the-luftwaffe-sun-helmet

Luftwaffe Pilot Ready to Fly

This picture was first published in "Die Wehrmacht" magazine Nr.11, 27 may 1942 edition and showing an unknown Luftwaffe pilot sits atop of his Messerschmitt Bf 109 while preparing himself for action against the enemy, May 1942. He is wearing one of the few different sets of uniforms and combat flying suits used by the German fighter pilots during the war. Looks like a light windbreaker, which are very rare nowadays but apparently popular during the first half of the war on the Eastern front. Sometimes they also wore Privately purchased leather jackets. These are the famous 'Eastman' or 'Hartmann' jackets. Some were off the rack, some were specifically tailored. Photographs of several pilots wearing similar jackets may give the impression that these were issued-they were not, at least officially. They simply conformed to the same basic design principles, those of a civilian cycling, or flight jacket

Source:
Book "Luftwaffe at War: Luftwaffe Aces of the Western Front" by Robert Michulec
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?58845-A-short-guide-to-Luftwaffe-flight-jackets