Bf 109E-4, III./JG 51

Bf 109E-4, flown by Hannes Trautloft,

Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG 51, June 1940.

During the Polish campaign, Trautloft was Staffelkapitän of 2./JG 77. He was subsequently promoted to Hauptmann and became Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG 51 on 19 September 1939. He led his unit throughout the Battle of France and into the first phase of the Battle of Britain. On 25 August 1940 he was appointed Kommodore of JG 54, a post he would hold until July 5, 1943.

109E template by Jesters-Ink,

unit emblem by Jutocsa

tom "lagarto"

August 2004