Appointed Kommandeur I./JG 77 on 11 May 1942 Heinz Bär achieved his 100th on 19 May 1942 over the Crimea, downing five Ratas over the Kerch peninsula for his 99- 103 victories. The following day's OKW Bericht reported " Hptm. Baer, Gruppenkommandeur in einem Jagdgeschwader yesterday achieved his victories 99 - 103...Das Jagdgeschwader 77 has now raised its victory total to 2,011..**" - views of his F-4 (W.Nr 13376) shortly after passing this milestone . I./JG 77 was ordered to Sicily in late June 1942 to fly missions against Malta.
** Stab =22, I. =538, II. =711, III. =734, ErgGr. =6 (page 1021 in Prien, Geschichte des Jagdgeschwaders 77, Teil 2)
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After the Staffelkapitän 7./JG 2, Oblt. Werner Machold, had been shot down over England on 9 June 1941 and taken captive, Oblt. Egon Mayer was appointed his successor the following day, 10 June 1941. He was photographed here in front of his 'white 1' sometime shortly afterwards. He was awarded the Knight's Cross, on 5 September 1940 after 21 victories, a figure that had risen to 32 by the time Machold was lost. Just visible in this shot is the pennant attached to the antenna mast displaying the badge of 7./JG 2. These pennants indicated the machine of the Staffelkapitän. Note the yellow lower engine cowl and the pilot’s footwear.
III./JG 2 convert onto the Fw 190 May-June 1942 - 7. Staffel Kapitän Oblt. Egon Mayer