German Air Force

Recce mission over Malta

Panoramic view of Malta taken from an altitude of 7,500 meters by a German reconnaissance aircraft on 23 February 1942. The plane was a Junkers Ju 88 of 1.(F)/122, a Staffel of the Aufklarungsgruppe 122 based in Sicily, sent from Gerbini on a sortie to Malta. Aircraft’s crew: Oblt. Steppacher (Beobachter/observer), Lt. Bohlens (Flugzeugfȕhrer/pilot-aircraft commander), Gefr. Ueffing (Bordfunker/radio) and Gefr. Haring (Bordschutze/navigator). On the same day the Flieger Führer Süd despatched two Ju 88s of another Staffel of the same Gruppe, the 4(F)./122, between 0820 and 1040 am on sea and land reconnaissance sorties. The two aircraft returned between 0940 am and 1457 pm. In addition to Ju 88, the 1(F)./122 employed for high altitude reconnaissance missions over Malta also some Bf 109 camera equipped. Victor Sierra