IL2

Messerschmitt Bf-109E JG27.1 (W1+) $Wolfgang Redlich Libya 1941 00

Image 01: Messerschmitt Bf-109E.7 Trop White 1 flown by Oblt. Wolfgang Redlich, Staffelkapitan of 1./JG27, mid. June 1941 This aircraft retained its European camouflage for some time after being flown to Africa and appears to have been finished in a particularly densely mottled uppersuface scheme of 02 and 71 with a splinter pattern in these colours over the wing and tail uppersurfaces. In addition, the aircraft has a yellow engine cowling and rudder and a white fuselage band, all of which must have rendered this machine particularly conspicuous in desert conditions. Twenty white Abschussbalken appear on the rudder.

Messerschmitt Bf-109E JG27.1 (W1+) $Wolfgang Redlich Libya 1941 01

Photo 01: An air-to-air view of  White 1, the Bf-109E-7Trop flown by Oblt. Wolfgang Redlich, who led 1./JG27 from 1 October 1939 until 5 December 1941.

Messerschmitt Bf-109E JG27.1 (W1+) $Wolfgang Redlich Libya 1941 02-03

Photo’s 02-03: When Oblt Redlich arrived in North Africa, he already had 10 victories and claimed his first two in the new theatre on 19 April when he shot down two Hurricanes near Tobruk. Redlich claimed a total of 26 victories in North Africa, bringing his total to 36, after which he was transferred to a staff position in Germany.

Messerschmitt Bf-109E JG27.1 (W1+) $Wolfgang Redlich Libya 1941 04

Photo 04: A further view of the same aircraft parked in the centre of this line-up.

Messerschmitt Bf-109E JG27.1 (W1+) $Wolfgang Redlich Libya 1941 05

Photo 05: In the foreground is the tail of Oblt. Redlichs aircraft shortly after 15 June 1941 when he accounted for his 20th victory, a Hurricane destroyed over Sollum.

Messerschmitt Bf-109E JG27.1 (W1+) $Wolfgang Redlich Libya 1941 06

Photo 06: Nose details of White 1, shown in the foreground

Pilots JG27 $Wolfgang Redlich 01

Photo 01: Pilots of I./JG27 before their flight to North Africa. On the extreme left is Fw. Werner Schroer and, next to him holding papers, Oblt. Wolfgang Redlich, the Staffelkapitan. Second from the right is Ofw. Albert Espenlaub, wearing a life jacket.