Staffel/Jagdgeschwader 26: The Battle of Britain Photo Album of Luftwaffe Bf 109 Pilot Willy Fronhfer

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Staffel/Jagdgeschwader 26: The Battle of Britain Photo Album of Luftwaffe Bf 109 Pilot Willy Fronhfer

By John J. Vasco

Publisher: Schiffer Publishing 2005 58 Pages

ISBN: 0764323350

PDF 20 MB

This work, of completely original photographs from Willy Fronhofer, was made possible by the generous co-operation of Dave Brocklehurst and Mike Llewellyn. MBE. of the Kent Battle of Britain Museum in Hawkinge. The photographs w ere deposited with them some time ago and put fully at their disposal for the benefit of the museum. Upon seeing them. I felt that the only way to do the photographs full justice was in book form, with the additional caveat of the author proceeds from the book going to assist the ongoing upkeep of the museum. I am therefore grateful that this opportunity has arisen for this private collection of photographs to be made available to those with a keen interest in the aviation history of the Battle of Britain.

What is unusual about this work is that it is not simply a long procession of various views of several aircraft (although there are undoubtedly many who would wish to see that!). Instead, it is a short photo-history of one Luftwaffe fighter StaffeL predominantly showing the Battle of Britain period, up to the point when Willy Fronhofer belly-landed his Bf 109 E-4, Yellow 10. W. Nr. 1184. at Jubilee Hall Farm, Ulcombe, on 31st August 1940 following combat with Pilot Officer Colin Gray of 54 Squadron. The photographs record, therefore, not only aircraft, but personalities of the StaffeL both flying and ground personnel; scenes of daily life; the devastation found as the Staffel advanced through occupied territory; the enemy aircraft found destroyed or abandoned, and a population made transient by the horror of war. It is a unique, albeit brief, insight into a very small section of the German war machine as it enjoyed unparalleled success in its push across western Kurope in the spring and summer of 1940. I am grateful to Dave Brocklehurst and Mike Llewellyn. MBH. for making this possible.