During the last eight days the I Gruppe led by Hptm. Heinz Bär flew several escort missions for Ju 88 to Malta, during which I./JG 77 achieved four aerial victories on 22 July and four more on the next day. In the fierce dogfights with the ever-increasing number of Spitfires appearing over the island fortress.

Nine more victories followed by the end of the month. On the debit side, two aircraft were shot down in aerial combat. One pilot from 1./JG 77, Obfw. Kurt Görbing, with six victories under his belt had a lucky escape on 25 July and was quickly rescued by the sea rescue service after parachuting to safety.

On 29 July, Uffz. Karl-Heinz Witschke a pilot from 3./JG 77 flying in this "Yellow 2", WNr. 13 060, was shot down and killed in air combat with Spitfires. His machine was seen crashing in the city center of Valletta.

Not much is know about this pilot of this aircraft others then he on this day was the victim of F/O Beurling from No. 249 Sq. His first known Soviet victory, was an I-16 on 27 March 1942. The second was filed as an I-61 on 25 April 1942. A hird, an I-153 shot down on 9 May 1942. Then on 25 June followed a Spitfire, a claim that later was refuted. And finally, his 4th confirmed victory, a Spitfire downed over Malta on 28 July.

It is interesting to note that of the 17 claims filed by the pilots in I./JG 77 during this period, all but one was made by an Experten, Oblt. Freytag (63-69), Oblt. Geisshard (85-86), Lt. Beisswenger (11), Lt. Köhler (13), Lt. Berres (12), Obfw. Brandt (23-24), all of the 14 confirmed victories was Spitfires.

Note that Witschke´s "Yelow 2" had the full markings, the Gruppe emblem infront of the cockpit and the 3 Staffel badge after the fuselage cross, it also had the "Hptm Werner Tismar" written in white on the engine cowling, in honor of the 3. Staffelkapitän, who was killed in a flying accident on 24 April 1942.

This profile is one of five new profiles made during the week. This Machine and caption would be included in my upcoming profie book No 19.