Junkers Ju 88 A-4/Torp, 3Z+OH “Otto”, 1./KG 77, Salon de Provence, spring 1944

Click on the profile to get a larger version.

Markings:

3Z+OH “Otto”, 1./KG 77, Salon de Provence, spring 1944

References:

 
Flugzeug Classic Feb. 2011
Torpedoflieger im Mittelmeer
Lino von Gartzen

Additional informations:

The Ju 88 A-4/Torp with the code 3Z+OH, flown by pilot Günther Hirschfeld, navigator Eugen Belz, shooter Hermann Wünsche and radio operator Werner Schröder, was transfered from Grieslienen via Frankfurt to France on March 21^st 1944. From the Mediterranean Sea cost allied convoys should be attacked. The first raid the with the 3Z+OH was flown in the night from March 31^st to April 1^st 1944 about 80 kilometers north from Algier. Target was the convoy UGS36. 13 more raids were flown near the Algerian cost before the crew got new orders. From June 6^th 1944, the landing allied troops in the Normandie, more and more raids were flown in the English Channel. The last effort was achieved on 31^st July 1944 during a raid near Algier. Some days later the “Otto” was completely destroyed an ground by two low flying P-51 Mustang. The crew of the “Otto” flew 21 raids. Significant because 30% of all planes were lost during each raid at this time. Pilot Günther Hirschfeld said: “We had a full squadron of guardian angels!”

The plane was camouflaged in RLM 70/71/65 overpaintd with RLM 70 and RLM 76.

Acknowledgments:

The base drawing was made by Maciej Noszczak. Thank you for the kind permission to use your drawing.

Harald Belz, the son of naviagtor Eugen Belz asked me to do this profile for him. It was a great challenge for me to paint this really special camouflaged plane, but with the information Mr. Belz got from his father it was possible to reconstruct it as best as possible.