Another previously unpublished image in the Luftwaffe blog 'archive photo scan' series. Kommodore Steinhoff salutes the gathering in front of the Hakenkreuz at a festive occasion for the Stab JG 77 in Poggio Renatico (north of Bologna) during the latter months of the unit's stay in Italy. Perhaps a celebration to mark the award of the Schwerter for the Kommodore which occurred in late July 1944 just days after the assassination attempt on the Führer. Did he still believe in the 'Endsieg' - 'final victory'- even now? Less than 10 years after this image the Americans had retrained Steinhoff to fly their new jet fighters ahead of the 'official' establishment of the new Bundesluftwaffe. Flights for Steinhoff in USAF T-33s - which were not made public at the time- took place as early as 1952. (see Kropf - 'Jet Geschwader im Aufbruch') The new Bundesluftwaffe was not established until late 1956... (Kühne via Brouez)
Below, Steinhoff (right) with the Kommandeur of I./JG 77 Hptm. Theo Lindemann during March 1944 in Görz/Gorizia (30 km south of Udine) where the unit was briefly based during March 1944. Note in the background a Gustav of the Gruppenstab under camouflage netting/mats.
