KITS 09/2020

Bf 109E-3, WNr. 5102, Lt. Herbert Kunze, Stab I./JG 77, Döberitz, Germany, June 1940

OPERACE DYNAMO

This airplane was manufactured by WNF in early autumn 1939 and assigned to I./JG 77 led by Hptm. Johannes Janke. Before beginning of

World War Two his unit was relocated very often. It is no wonder, then, that members of I./JG 77 ironically dubbed themselves ‘Wanderzirkus Janke’ (Janke’s Travelling Circus), and expressed their feelings resulting from constant relocation through their unit symbol, a discarded

shoe. Janke´s Adjutant Lt. Kunze used earlier a Bf 109 E-1 with name „Sepp“ under the cockpit. But for his new Bf 109 E-3 featured in this

plastic kit he adopted little rabbit with name „Kieki“ and little spear. Camouflage consist of RLM 71, 02 and 65. Berlin native Kunze born in

1918 achieved two victories in September 1940 and was promoted to rank of Oberleutnant. He was shot down and killed in combat with

Spitfires of No. 603 Squadron on September 14th, 1940 near Lympne in Bf 109 E-4 WNr. 3759 „<+“. He was buried two days later at Hawkinge cemetery.

Bf 109E-4, WNr. 5274, Lt. Werner Machold, 1./JG 2, Marigny, France, June 1940

OPERACE DYNAMO

Machold´s personal mount was manufactured by WNF in April 1940. Camouflage consist of RLM 71, 02 and 65. Red „R“ in the shield is linked to unit´s battle name „Richthofen“ obviously in memory of legendary „Red Baron“. The dog emblem was designed by Staffelkapitän Otto

Betram in 1939. At the beginning of World War Two, Machold was serving with 1./JG 2. He was very successful in Battle of France gaining 10

victories, including three Hurricanes and one Spitfire. His 11th victory was „Tomahawk“ claimed on August 11th around noon near Portland.

Oberfeldwebel Machold continued to gain victories during the Battle of Britain. He was the eighth German fighter pilot to achieve 20 victories. On September 5th, 1940, he was awarded the Knight Cross for 21 victories. On September 7th, Machold was transferred to

9./JG 2. He recorded his 24th through 26th victories on September 30th, shooting down three Spitfires. Oberleutnant Machold was appointed Staffelkapitän of 7./JG 2 in spring 1941. On June 9th, 1941 during a low-level Jabo attack on a shipping convoy off Portland his Bf 109

E-7/Z (WNr. 5983) “White 15” receiving damage from anti-aircraft fire from a Royal Navy destroyer. Machold force-landed near Swanage,

Dorset and became prisoner of war. Werner Machold claimed 32 victories in more than 250 combat missions. All his victories were recorded

over the Western front.

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INFO Eduard - September 2020