The Spoils of War

A few days after the end of the war in Europe on May 8, 1944, Capt. William L. Swisher made a quick tour of many ex-Luftwaffe bases. His photographs are an excellent record of the “spoils of war”. This is an Arado Аг 96B, 4658, aircraft CD+XF. It had the no. H4 under the cockpit and E-III on the rudder, significance not known. It has the white US star painted over the Luftwaffe cross and was being used as a squadron “hack". Location unknown, seen on May 15, 1945. (William L. Swisher)

Siebel Fh HI4A with the US blue outlined insignia. Location not recorded, seen in May 1945. It was also being used as a squadron “hack”. (William L. Swisher)

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Goth» Go 150, FG-1163, registered D-E??D, seen at field R-30, Kuril), Germany, on May 8,1945. It has had the LIS star and bar insignia painted over the last three letters of the registration. The swastika on the tail band has been over-painted. (William L. Swisher)

Messerschmitt Me 109G-6, unit no.9 seen at field R-80, Salzburg, Austria, in May 1945. (William L. Swisher)

Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-8, 580351, coded 1+5, seen at field R-68, Strauhing, Germany, on May 11,1945. Il is in immaculate condition. (William L. Swisher)

Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9, 500570, aircraft 12+bar, believed to be of I1T/JG54, seen at field R-30, Furth, Germany, on May 8, 1945. Behind is a Lockheed K-5C, of the 31st PRS, 10th TRG. (William L. Swisher)

Me. ssersehmitt Bf 110G-4d/R3, aircraft G9+DC of NJG-1 in May 1945, Location unknown. Note the Heinkel He 111 behind. (William L. Swisher)

Messersehmitt Me 410A-3, 10047, aircraft 5T+DN of unit KSG-1. Location unknown. Seen in May, 1945. Note the side gun barbette on the fuselage. A superficial resemblance to the RAF DeHavilland Mosquito led to many of the latter being attacked, mis-identified as Me 410s. (William L. Swisher)

Junkers Ju 88S-1, aircraft RG+RW, seen at field R-71, Lechfeld, Germany, on May 25, 1945. (William L. Swisher)

Dornier Do 217E-1,1104, aircraft FF+CD, seen at field R-19, Nordhausen, Germany, on May 28,1945. Note the forward “Mistal” attachment struts on the fuselage aft of the cockpit. (William L. Swisher)

Messerschmitt Me 262A-1A, 111755, seen in an Autobahn revetment, ten miles west of Augsburg, Germany, on May 25,1945. Unlike many of these at this time, this Me-262 appears to be in perfect condition. Note the large stand of very upright trees, giving very good concealment from air attacks. (William L. Swisher)

Heinkel He 162H-20,220003, aircraft “M20”, without its engine and in a somewhat bent condition. Seen at field R-82, Munich/Reim, Germany, on May 25,1945. (William L. Swisher)

Biicker Bii 131 trainer, seen at R-82, Munich/Reim, Germany, on May 25,1945. It has its former operators’ markings painted out and replaced by the new owners’ star-arid-bar insignia This was a superb training aircraft and much prized. (William L. Swisher)