Bf 110s and Bf 109s of JG5 over Kirkenes in 1942/43.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Messerschmitt Bf.109F - ГерманияGermany - 1940Messerschmitt Bf.110 - ГерманияGermany - 1936

Another Bf 110E-2 in similar markings to those of M8+ZE: M8+LE of IV/ZG76 at Echterdingen in 1941.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Messerschmitt Bf.110 - ГерманияGermany - 1936

M8+ZE’s last crew, Uffz Emil Gross (in the cockpit) and Uffz Gerhard Sarotnik, pictured during their time with 13(Z)/JG5 in Norway in 1942. Unless more logbook entries come to light from other sources, M8+ZE’s operational history before it joined JG5 will remain a mystery. The codes M8+ZE denote that it served with the HQ flight of IV/ZG76, which did not operate in Norway or Finland.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Messerschmitt Bf.110 - ГерманияGermany - 1936

Gerhard Sarodnick, pictured while serving as a Bf 110 radio operator with 13(Z)/JG5 in 1942-43.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Messerschmitt Bf.110 - ГерманияGermany - 1936

Another view of M8+ZE during recovery in the former USSR.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Messerschmitt Bf.110 - ГерманияGermany - 1936

The recovery team poses with the airframe of Messerschmitt Bf 110E-2 Werknr 4502 M8+ZE.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Messerschmitt Bf.110 - ГерманияGermany - 1936

Its crosses and codes still clearly visible after 50 years’ exposure in the cold, preserving climate of the Murmaschi area, Bf 110 M8+ZE lies where it crashed while dismantling work proceeds. The aircraft continued to carry its old ZG76 code for the duration of the four weeks it served with 10(Z)/JG5, even though all the Bf110s serving with JG5’s heavy-fighter squadron had already been allocated LN codes. Since M8+ZE went straight into action upon arrival at the front, the task of repainting markings was, understandably, not top priority.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Messerschmitt Bf.110 - ГерманияGermany - 1936

The five grey rectangles at the top of M8+ZE’s port fin, seen after the aircraft was brought to the UK, are kill markings. Four have red stars, the last being dated 15.8.41. These do not provide conclusive evidence that the aircraft served operationally with another unit before going to JG5 - individual pilots would often have their tallies marked on the machine allocated to them, even if they bore no relation to action by that particular aircraft.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Messerschmitt Bf.110 - ГерманияGermany - 1936