KITS 11/2023

Bf 109G-4, WNr. 19347, Rtk. Ján Režňák, 13.(slowakische)/JG 52,

Anapa, the Soviet Union, April–May 1943

Jan Režňák launched his military career as

a member of Czechoslovak Air Force. He became

a member of Slovak Armed Forces in 1939 when the

independent Slovak State was formed. As a Third

Reich ally, Slovakia participated in the war against

the Soviet Union. Slovak Letka (flight) 13 fought

under the command of JG 52. Režňák achieved

a total of 32 aerial victories over the Eastern Front,

making him the most successful Slovak and also

Czechoslovak fighter ace. Seven opponents out

of his total score were downed with WNr. 19347

in late April and early May of 1943. The tricolor on

the spinner is typical for Messerschmitts flown by

Slovak pilots. Note the unusual color of the cowling

that doesn’t match the rest of the camouflage.

Originally painted in yellow, it was probably

oversprayed with a camouflage color by ground

personnel. Režňák did not take part in the Slovak

National Uprising and rejoined Czechoslovak Air

Force in the summer of 1945. He was discharged

from the service after 1948 Communist coup.

Bf 109G-4/Trop, WNr. 10795, Oblt. Wolfgang Tonne, CO of 3./JG 53,

Bizerta, Tunisia, February 1943

Wolfgang Tonne was born on February 28, 1918,

in Moosbach and joined the Luftwaffe in 1937.

In May 1940 he took part in the Battle of France

in the ranks of JG 53, then fought in the Battle of

Britain and consecutively took part in in Operation

Barbarossa with the same unit. At the end of 1941,

JG 53 moved to Sicily to support Luftwaffe attacks

on Malta. There, in January 1942, Wolfgang Tonne

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INFO Eduard

was given command of the 3. Staffel. In May 1942,

3./JG 53 was again sent to the Eastern Front,

here Wolfgang Tonne achieved his 101st kill and

was awarded the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves.

In October 1942, 3./JG 53 was sent to North Africa.

Tonne’s “Yellow 7” with the numeral 6 painted

underneath after the previous user had awards

and kills painted on the left side of the rudder.

In April 1943, Tonne’s unit was based at Protville

airfield in Tunisia. He scored his 122nd kill on April

20, 1943. On returning to the home airfield in his

Bf 109G-6/R1 WNr. 16523 he performed a victory

roll, apparently misjudging the altitude and losing

control of his aircraft. The risky maneuver cost

him life.

November 2023