Strana 36
WNr. 334xxx, 11./JG 27, Goslar, Germany, April 1945
WNr. 335215, Lt. Willy van de Kamp, Stab II./JG 52, Neubiberg, Germany, May 1945
The CO of III./JG 27 from October 1944 until the
end of the war was Austrian Hptm. Dr. Peter
Werfft (26 victories). In the same month, the unit
was reequipped with the Bf 109K-4. However,
from February onward, Werfft was temporarily
replaced in this role by the CO of 12./JG 27,
Oblt. Emil Clade, who in the final month of the
war officially became the CO of I./JG 27. After
the war, Clade worked as an airline pilot,
pursued sport flying, and published his memoirs
in 1996. While serving with II./JG 27 in Africa,
he shot down an aircraft in August 1942 carrying
the commander of the British Eighth Army,
Lt. Gen. W. H. E. Gott, who was killed. Lt. Gen.
Montgomery was appointed to replace him.
At the end of the war, III./JG 27 was deployed in
northern Germany. Yellow 1 from 11./JG 27 was
discovered by advancing Allied forces in April
1945 at the Goslar airbase in Germany, where
the unit had been stationed from March 29 to
April 8, 1945. It later operated from locations in
Bohemia, Bavaria, and Austria. From December
1944 until the end of the war, 11. Staffel was
led by Oblt. Heinz-Günther Hennig, who had
previously commanded 2./JG 53 and 2./JG 102
and was credited with two victories. The fuselage
camouflage in RLM 81/82 colors corresponds to
production series 334xxx.
The markings on this aircraft identify it as
the wingman of the commander of II./JG 52,
Maj. Wilhelm Batz. In February 1943, Batz was
assigned to the staff of II./JG 52 on the Eastern
Front. He achieved his first victory on March
11 and was appointed commander of 5./JG 52 in
May. By March 1944, he had achieved his 100th
victory and was made commander of III./JG 52
in April. In early February 1945, he assumed
command of II./JG 52, which at the time was
fighting in Hungary. His final 237th victory
was recorded on April 16, 1945. Five days later,
he was awarded the Swords to the Knight’s
Cross with Oak Leaves. On May 8, 1945, Batz and
his unit flew into captivity, transferring from
Zeltweg in Austria to Bad Aibling in Bavaria,
accompanied by a formation of Thunderbolts
during the final leg of the journey. The aircraft
Black 1 was painted in RLM 74/75/76 camouflage,
consistent with production series 335xxx.
The yellow band on the nose and yellow rudder
were identification features of German aircraft
within Luftflotte 4. This particular aircraft was
photographed at Neubiberg airfield near Munich.
Its pilot was Batz’s Adjutant, Lt. Willy van de
Kamp, who had served with II./JG 52 since May
1943 and was credited with one victory.
KITS 01/2025
INFO Eduard36
January 2025