Jagdgeschwader 54 was the highest scoring German fighter unit of World War II, experiencing most of its combat on the Eastern Front. 7./ JG 54 was known for its exotic field-applied camouflage during its deployment to Finland in 1942. This early Bf 109 F-2 was possibly flown by Werner Pichon Kalau v. Hofe (21 victories), its partially excavated remains matching its distinctive paint scheme.
Werner Pichon Kalau v. Hofe was transferred out of JG 54 and assigned to the personal staff of Adolf Galland, but his 109 continued in combat with his unit. These remains were recovered in East Prussia (outside present-day Kaliningrad) in the 1980s. Hofe's markings were unique, but no records have been found to confirm this was his aircraft as no main airframe Werknummer was found and his pilot's log has never been found.
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