3 February 1944

CX/MSS/T83/36 (Time of origin 0130/3/2/44)

From C in C GAF Ops Staff IA (Robinson)

No. 10054, on 3/2.

Reference A.O. for Fighters No. 23/44

(GR. 1/J) of 13/1/44.

1)

With reference to the above letter, you are referred to Directive, Air Staff Dept. 2, No. 8558/43 of 20/4/43, according to which the decision about the marking of A/C, M/T and heavy equipment with special markings was made the responsibility of the Luftflotten for all their operationally subordinated units. This directive is still valid.

2)

It is, however, pointed out that, as has been proved, the enemy’s intelligence service has obtained from these very unit markings data that are of real value to him. When the South of France was occupied, for example, exact lists of German unit markings were discovered, with exact indications of where at various times these units had been identified. From these, completely correct conclusions about the order of battle and strength of the GAF could be drawn. We must therefore suppose that the enemy can carry out, even in the Reich territory, exact identification and continuous observation of unit markings without any particular difficulty. If permission for the general use of unit markings were given, we should be handing the enemy data that are for him essential for the appreciation of our strength. In so far therefore, as the Luftflotten, on the basis of the directive cited of 20/4/43, have given permission for the general use of unit markings or intend to do so, the above points must be borne in mind.

10 February 1944

VL 5945

Changes in camouflage painting of aircraft made by individual heavy fighter [= Zerstörer] Gruppen on their own initiative have on several occasions led to confusion with “enemy” aircraft according to (strong indications Luftflotte 5 to Komm. Gen. der Deutschen Luftwaffe in Finnland) on 8th. This has caused perplexities and doubts when “enemy” aircraft sighted. For all fighter and heavy fighter aircraft it is therefore ordered: (a) in principle no changes may be made in camouflage paint as delivered from the factory; (b) markings with a series of numbers within the Staffel remain as before. Comment: not known whether this is particular for Luftflotte 5 or General for GAF [=German Air Force].

10 February 1944

VL 6122

Additional orders of 10th for units operating in defence of the Reich:

(a) band round fuselage to remain as marking of individual Geschwader;

(b) in principle, all Kommodores and Kommandeurs fly with white fins and rudders;

(c) all fighter aircraft of Luftflotte 3 and Luftflotte Reich to have black and white spiral painted on spinner. One and a half spirals turning in same direction as spinner, width one fifth of diameter of spinner.

23 April 1944

KV 1979

Komm. Gen. der Deutschen Luftwaffe Südost ordered following recognition colouring for German and Italian aircraft operating in Mediterranean area; underparts of engine cowlings to be painted bright yellow. Round the fuselage a white ring about 50cm wide behind the cross. Captured aircraft to be painted bright yellow. Italian aircraft to be distinguished (comment: details unknown)

KV 2089

Comment to KV 1979: known that orders were (a) for the continuation of existing regulations; (b) identical regulations existed in the Mediterranean in December 1941; (c) in November 1943 captured Italian aircraft were to be used only with cross on wings and fuselage, white ring around fuselage, yellow paint on wing tips 1.5 metres in width.

3 June 1944

KV 6434

Fliegerführer Kroatien ordered removal from all aircraft in his command of white ring round fuselage and bright yellow paint on the underside of the cowling. Experience had shown that during low level flying in valleys and ravines and with cliffs as background, the shining of white and yellow paint destroyed otherwise satisfactory camouflage effect.

Early June 1944

KV 7079

Aircraft identification marks used by (strong indications 4.(F)/123): lower part of cockpit cover and side fins yellow; cross on fuselage and wings, upper and lower; fuselage blue identification letters.

Note: the above seems to be a rare case of Bletchley Park's experts mistranslating German technical terms. I'd say they translated Haube (= hood) as "cockpit cover" when, in this context, it really meant “engine cowling.” Remember the standard notice on the 109 about how you have to be careful opening the lower cowling because the oil cooler is attached? That refers to Haube. As for "side fins", substitute Seitenleitwerk (= lateral control surfaces = rudder) and it all begins to make more sense. “Letters” should perhaps be read as “characters” (German = Buchstäbe), since 4.(F)/123 flew Bf 109s with blue numbers on their fuselage sides.

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