Is this to hard?

[David B]

Is this possible? I would like to find out anything about a pilot of a plane. All I have to go by are markings in a photo, no date or anything.

The Photo was taken by my Grandad in North Africa at an over run German air field.
It is of a Me 109F (I think) of l/JG. 27. Behind the cockpit are the numbers '13' in what appears to be white out-lined black. Then after the nation symbol there is a white band, runing right along side. Going backwards starting halfway in side the band is a small black line, again white outlined. The nose cone is also white as are the wing tips. The appears to be nothing on the rudder.

Because there is no date or location on the photo it may be to hard to answer.


Also - any info on a Panther D (?) type tank - KO in Italy with markings on the turret of 282 or 202.

Again probably to hard to answer.

Thanks anyway

[David B]

I found the pics, that could make it easier.

The 109 - The person in the plane is not the pilot.

<img src="http://image1ex.villagephotos.com/pubimage.asp?id_=740624" width=474 height=324 >

[David B]

The Panther - The truck in the back ground is what my Grandad had been traveling on.
On the back of the photo is writen -
The face of a defeated army. A German 'Panther' tank, a big fellow, but one that didn't get away.

I think the number on the turret is 282, its a bit hard to see here.
<img src="http://image1ex.villagephotos.com/pubimage.asp?id_=740625" width=474 height=299 >

[CRAIGGOODWIN]

Top photos

David - sorry I cant assist but I just wanted to let you know the photos are excellent. 99.9 % of the time here on the forum it's USA this or Great Britian that, us southern hemisphere types are never included !! Good to see some other perspective for a change
Regards
Craig

[David B]

Hi Craig,
Yep down here our side of the story is often forgoten. My Grandad was an engineer (1st Lt.) attached to the 26th and 27th (I think) New Zealand Infantry Battalions, serving through North Africa and Italy.
He started the war as a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm, but for some medical reason he had to stop flying, but this was after he had got his pilots wings. He then went to the Army. He must have been the only soldier with wings

[Denis]

Hello
I am not an expert in LW markings but I would say that the plane belonged to the II. Gruppe
The Nose emblem is the one assigned to I. Gruppe but the horizontal bar after the 13 is specific to the II. Gruppe. It might be a plane originally assigned to the I. Gruppe (hence the emblem) and reassigned to the II. Gruppe (adding the bar after the balkan Kreuz, the I. Gruppe had no such markings).

I suggest yoiu to use this useful resource :
http://www.jg27.de/
Sure that the guy may help you.
Keep us informed abouth the result.
Denis

[David B]

Thanks Denis

[David B]

Denis,
Do you speak German?
Would you be able to translate for an e mail?
I dont trust my online, free German translating web site
Thanks

[Denis]

Not at all !
sorry
try in English or look for a German fellow member, sure somebody will be ready to help you.

[Simon O.]

David
I think the Panther is quite probably one of the 76 with which I./Pz.Rgt.4 was equipped when sent to Italy.


Simon

[Tommy]

I think it is a Panther Ausf. A.... Ausf.D was not a MG by the Funker....

[David B]

Thanks again guys

[Tommy]

Hello Kiwi i can help you???

[David B]

Tommy, can i get you to translate a e mail into German for me?
(I dont speak it)

[Mike C]

Hello,

With all respect to Simon, my bet is that the Panther Ausf A is from II/Panzer Regiment 26, 26th Panzer Division. My reason for suggesting this is that I suspect the Panther was photographed in the spring of 1945 when 26 Panzer was caught and destroyed south of the Po River in the last offensive in Italy. The 2d New Zealand Division was in this area of operations - but I do not believe served anywhere near (or engaged) I/4 Panzer Regiment. Pure speculation I admit...

Cheers,

Mike