KITS 09/2020

Bf 109E-1, WNr. 3413, Lt. Hans Krug, 5./JG 26, Marquise, France, July 1940

DER KANALKAMPF

This airplane was manufactured by Arado in late summer or early spring of 1939. Camouflage consist of RLM 71, 02 and 65. Hans Krug was

born in 1899 and in Great War served in various Bavarian aviation units being in combat duty from March till May 1918. Considered rather

old for fighter pilot he joined as a volunteer the Spanish nationalist air force, not Legion Condor like other German „volunteers“. He often

flew alongside Fiat CR.32 of Spanish ace Joaquin Garcia Morato, whose aircraft carried bullfighting motto „VISTA SUERTE Y AL TORO“ (The

look, good fortune and forward). Krug adopted inscription on his „Emil“. He is probably identical with Heinkel He 51 pilot „Johann Krug“ who

claimed Potez on December 27th, 1936 over Teruel. On February 16th, 1937 he suffered mid-air collision with Nationalist pilot F. Bofill Dedofeu (KIA) and on August 14th, 1938 his He 51 was damaged in combat. Krug was finally accepted to Luftwaffe and entered successful service

with II./JG 26 „Schlageter“ with rank of Leutnant. He scored with 5./JG 26 five victories during French campaign including one unconfirmed

(but marked on his tail).Emblem of 5. Staffel was popular comics raven „Hans Huckebein der Rabe“. Originally used by fighter unit of Legion

Condor, the raven was adopted by 5./JG 26 in 1939. During Battle of Britain Krug scored additional five victories and took over leadership of

4./JG 26. On September 7th in the evening he was shot down by RAF fighters over England and performed belly landing near Pluckley. His

name is sometimes confused with bomber pilot Lt. Peter Krug who escaped from prison camp in Canada to USA. He is the only veteran from

the First World War who achieved the status of an ace during the Second World War.

Bf 109E-4, WNr. 3709, Oblt. Josef Fözö, CO of 4./JG 51, Desvres, France, July 1940

DER KANALKAMPF

This „Emil“ was manufactured by Messerschmitt GmbH in July 1940. Camouflage consist of RLM 71, 02 and 65 with heavy mottling on fuselage sides. Raven with running nose and umbrella was badge of II./JG 51 later adopted by some of unit´s Staffel with different background

colors. Mickey Mouse is personal emblem of Josef Fözö native in Vienna, Austria. A pre-war pilot of Austrian Air Force Fözö joined Luftwaffe

in 1938 and volunteered for service in Spain where he scored three victories. At the beginning of World War 2 he was already commander

of 4./JG 51. He downed one balloon during Sitzkrieg and two RAF fighters during „Kanalkampf“ in July. His second and third victory was

scored on west of Cap Griz-Nez against Hurricanes of No. 56 Sq. In Battle of Britain he scored 9 victories against RAF and one more in April

1941. Fözö was appointed commander of II./JG 51 and was heavily injured on Russian front in July 1941. He was awarded with Knight Cross

during same month. After recovery in May 1942 he became commander of I./JG 51 in the East. However during same month he was heavily

injured again. After lengthy recovery he took over commanding position on operational training unit JG 108. His total score was 27 victories

including service in Spain. Fözö passed away in Vienna in 1979, aged 67 years.

INFO Eduard - September 2020

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