IL2

Messerschmitt Bf-109F JG53.7 (W1+I) $Heinz Altendorf W.Nr 7348 North Africa 1942 00

Profile 01: Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-4 'White 1' of 7./JG53, December 1941 This aircraft, possibly W.Nr. 7348, was finished in a standard low-demarcation 79/78 scheme with a white spinner and, although it lacks the usual white forward nose section, had a white fuselage band upon which was superimposed a black outline-style vertical III.Gruppe bar. Note that the 'Pik As' badge of JG53 has been applied at a slight angle and that apart from heavy exhaust staining, the machine has a fairly clean appearance.

Messerschmitt Bf-109F JG53.7 (W1+I) $Heinz Altendorf W.Nr 7348 North Africa 1942 01

Photo 01: The III./JG53 was ordered to North Africa to support]G 27 and this Bf 109 F-4, 'White 1', is believed to have been W.Nr 7348 flown by the Staffelkapitan of 7./]G 53, Oblt. Heinz Altendorf. On 16 December 1941, Altendorf and his wingman, Gefr. Hartmut Klotzer, were strafing British armour near Mechili when both aircraft were hit by ground fire. KI6tzer succeeded in turning away in the direction of his own lines but was unable to return to his base and eventually made a successful crash-landing in the desert. After a day's march he was picked up by an armoured car and returned to his lines. Altendorf also crash-landed but came down close to British tanks and was taken prisoner. Soon afterwards, the Gruppe left North Africa and transferred to Sicily to begin operations against Malta.