Kampfgeschwader 76 - KG76

Photo 01: Crew members prepare to board their Ju 88A-5/U through the open under fuselage-hatch. The upper FuG 200 radar antenna masts are in place although the aerials have not been fitted. A recent conversion, this A-6/U still retains the factory code Stkz PN+MT used for test and delivery flights. The upper surfaces are camouflaged with an RLM Gray (02) or Light Blue (76) wave pattern over Dark Green with Black Undersurfaces.

 

Geschwader Stab Kampfgeschwader 76 - Geschwader Stab./KG76

I. Gruppe Kampfgeschwader 76 - I./KG76

Profile 00: The Ju 88C-6 of I./KG76 based at Catania in Sicily during early parts of 1943. It has a dark green (probably RLM 71) sprayed over its pale blue (RLM 65) and finished in a 'scribble' pattern. The white tail band was carried by most units operating in the Mediterranean theatre.

Photo 01: The Ju 88C-6 of I./KG76 based at Catania in Sicily from December 1942 to March 1943. It has a dark green (probably RLM 71) sprayed over its pale blue (RLM 65) and finished in a 'scribble' pattern. The white tail band was carried by most units operating in the Mediterranean theatre.

Stab III. Gruppe Kampfgeschwader 76 - Stab III./KG76

Photo 01: This rare colored photograph shows a Ju 88A-4 of III./KG76 coded (F1+DD) in flight over Crimea. The spinner tips have been painted in the three colors of white, red, and yellow representing each of the Staffel colors of the Gruppe

2 Staffel I. Gruppe Kampfgeschwader 76 - 2./KG76

Photo: Junkers Ju 88 A "F1+EK" of 2./KG 76, Italy 1943/44, Besatzung (crew) of pilot Lt. Lieseke (second from left)

3 Staffel I. Gruppe Kampfgeschwader 76 - 3./KG76

4. Staffel II. Gruppe Kampfgeschwader 76 - 4./KG76

Photo 01: being refueled showing WNr 4339

Profile 00: A late production Ju 88A5 of 4./KG76 based in Russia during 1941. Eastern Front identification markings consisted of a Yellow fuselage band and Yellow wing tip undersurfaces.

Photo's 01-02 : This Ju 88A -4, F1+MM of 4./KG76, ended up on its nose during the opening phase of the Russian campaign in summer 1941. The bombs in crates in the foreground and the special crane at the rear of the aircraft suggest that the incident happened on the perimeter of an airfield. If the aircraft had landed away from an airfield, ropes would probably have been used to pull its tail to the ground. Beneath the aircraft's cockpit is the Staffel emblem, which was designed during operations against England. It shows a British duck with Tommy helmet and umbrella in the crosshairs of a German gunsight. Our photos provide further proof that 4./KG 76 retained the duck emblem even after the start of the Russian campaign. The aircraft's propeller spinners bear a ring in the Staffel color white. The variations in width suggest that the rings were applied by hand. The aircraft letter is black outlined in white. Also noteworthy is the repetition of the last two letters of the aircraft code (MM) in white on the fin (see Photo 02).

Photo 01: During the Winter of 1942-43, 4./KG76 painted false bomber' noses on their Ju 88C-6s to trick Soviet pilots into making head on attacks. F1+XM also carries the Staffel Insignia of an enemy 'duck' within the cross hairs of a gun sight. (Bundesarchiv)

Photo 02: The under fuselage FuBI2 antenna on this Ju88C-6 was housed in a semi-transparent Plexiglas cover. The small bulb behind the rack antenna is a White navigation light. The aircraft carries temporary White camouflage which was typical for Eastern Front aircraft along with the Yellow fuselage band. (Bundesarchiv)

5 Staffel II. Gruppe Kampfgeschwader 76 - 5./KG76

6 Staffel II. Gruppe Kampfgeschwader 76 - 6./KG76

7 Staffel III. Gruppe Kampfgeschwader 76 - 7./KG76

Profile 00: The Ju 88A-4 of III./KG76 coded F1+BR based at Armawir in Russia from October to November 1942. They had a temporary white finish applied for winter operations in Russia when they moved to Athens-Tatoi to support Rommel's defense of North Africa. They were commanded at this time by Hptm. Heinrich Schweikhardt.

Photo 01: The Ju 88A-4 of III./KG76 coded F1+BR based at Armawir in Russia from October to November 1942. They had a temporary white finish applied for winter operations in Russia when they moved to Athens-Tatoi to support Rommel's defense of North Africa. They were commanded at this time by Hptm. Heinrich Schweikhardt. From looking at the photo and seeing the icy Russian conditions to being moved to Athens would have been like receiving a huge Christmas present. Seen at the front of the aircraft are the pipes from the combustion heater unit.

8 Staffel III. Gruppe Kampfgeschwader 76 - 8./KG76

9 Staffel III. Gruppe Kampfgeschwader 76 - 9./KG76

Junkers Ju 88 A-1 9./KG76 (F1+BT) and (F1+AT). The aircraft in the background, with the light coloured letter 'A', if from the same Staffel and unit, would have been F1+AT, with the 'A' in yellow. From 'Bomber Units of the Luftwaffe 1933-1945 - Vol.2' (Classic) by de Zeng and Stankey, it appears that III.Gruppe, KG76 - comprising 7., 8. & 9.Staffel - used the Dornier Do17Z until around December 1940, when personnel removed to Illesheim, Germany, on leave and then spent the next three months until March 1941 converting to the Ju88. After conversion on the Ju88A-5 was complete, III./KG76 relocated to Châteaudun during the first half of March, 1941. The Ju 88 was flown from Chateaudun Aerodrome, South of Paris, on the night of the 12th of March 1941, to attack the docks at Birkenhead, Liverpool. The Pilot was Feldwebel Guenther Unger. The aircraft caught fire and was abandoned shortly after dropping it's bombs, and later crashed.

Junkers Ju 88 A-1 9./KG76 (F1+BT) and (F1+AT). The aircraft in the background, with the light coloured letter 'A', if from the same Staffel and unit, would have been F1+AT, with the 'A' in yellow. From 'Bomber Units of the Luftwaffe 1933-1945 - Vol.2' (Classic) by de Zeng and Stankey, it appears that III.Gruppe, KG76 - comprising 7., 8. & 9.Staffel - used the Dornier Do17Z until around December 1940, when personnel removed to Illesheim, Germany, on leave and then spent the next three months until March 1941 converting to the Ju88. After conversion on the Ju 88 A-5 was complete, III./KG76 relocated to Châteaudun during the first half of March, 1941. The Ju 88 was flown from Chateaudun Aerodrome, South of Paris, on the night of the 12th of March 1941, to attack the docks at Birkenhead, Liverpool. The Pilot was Feldwebel Guenther Unger. The aircraft caught fire and was abandoned shortly after dropping it's bombs, and later crashed.