Geschwaderkommodore Maj. von Bonin's Fw 190 on a field strip somewhere in the East. Von Bonin was Kommandeur of I./JG 54 for 18 months before taking charge of III./JG 52 - while he scored some 60 victories with III./JG 52, this didn't stop Oblt. Grislawski (9./JG 52) referring to him on one occasion as an 'incompetent bastard' after a screw-up during a combat sortie. Maj. Bonin was subsequently appointed JG 54 Kommodore just before 'Zitadelle' in July 1943.
Below; Gruppe Philipp Bf 109 F-4 with 250kg bomb, spring 1942. The next two photos depict the new Kommandeur alighting from his F-2 at Krasnogvardeisk during March 1942. Major beim Stab markings (<II)
Above; 5./JG 54 StaKa Wolfgang Spate in March 1942. He was awarded the EL in April 1942 for 79 victories. At the same time he was recalled to take charge of Erprobungskommando 16 at Rechlin (Me 163). Below; 'Black 4' of 5. Staffel at Siverskaia during the winter of42-43. The first snow fell on 15 October..
