Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
At first I thought they were launching the plane by rockets into the air.
No, there was another Bf 110 G-4 W.Nr. 740055, C9+EN driven by Olt. Wilhelm Johnen (Staffelkapitan of 6./NJG 5) landed on night 27/28 April 1944 due to engine troubles.Is that the same Bf 110 for which Germans delivered number of Bf 109Gs to Switzerland and asked the Swiss to destroy it in turn, so it wouldn't end up in Allied hands? The Swiss did eventually destroyed the aircraft.
No, there was another Bf 110 G-4 W.Nr. 740055, C9+EN driven by Olt. Wilhelm Johnen (Staffelkapitan of 6./NJG 5) landed on night 27/28 April 1944 due to engine troubles.
I don't think he was in serious troubles after return. Just recievied a new plane and was moved to Eastern Front - far away from SwitzerlandI wonder if the pilots received a hero's welcome upon their return to Germany?
"........and while your changing the oil, could you lube the front end?"
The photo shows Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4 W.Nr. 5545 unit code 2Z+OP at the Duebendorf airfield in Switzerland during radar tests. Some time earlier, on March 15-16, 1944 Oberfeldwebel Helmut Treynogga and radio-operator Heinz Schwarz from 6./NJG6 departed from Echterdingen on board of Bf 110 G-4 2Z+OP. Their mission was to intercept an RAF bomber formation headed for Munich. The crew got lost and landed in Duebendorf, Switzerland and was taken into custody. The Bf 110 remained in Switzerland. However, the crew was returned to Germany about 5 weeks later. The Swiss tested the radar of the Bf 110 by pointing the Bf 110 upwards. Then a group of Swiss fighter planes flew overhead. That's when this unusual photo was taken.
Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4 2Z+OP Nightfighter | BattleGroundRelics