During August 1943 the USAAF initiated their new bomber offencive against the German ball bering factories in Schwienefurt and the Meserschmitt aircraft factories in Regensburg, dubbed as "Double Stike".

As I./JG 11 was Based in Husum in north western Germany well situated under the enemy bomber streams. And from 17 August up to the end of that month the Gruppe field claims for a total of 19 B-17 4-engine bombers. This all for an own loss of eight Fw 190 in combat.

Thereafter there was a lull in the fighting, in fact it was not until 27 September 1943, that heavy bomber units of the US Eighth Air Force once again attacked targets within the Reich, including the Emden port facilities.

I./JG 11 still based at Husum and up to the end of September there were no further daily flights flown by USAAF units into the Gruppe's operational area, but every five days there were scrambles after the alarm went off against detected reconnaissance aircraft. In spite of densely clouded skies with numerous showers and partial cloud cover on most days, I./JG 11 also flew a number of training missions apparently without any significant incidents.

As a consequence of the severe losses experienced by the Luftwaffe on 27 September, its defending units would be reorganized. After discussions the leadership of Luftwaffenbefehlshaber Mitte decided that Gruppen operating the Bf 109 aircraft would be "disarmed" of their externally-mounted weapons (cannon gondolas and rocket tubes) and be considered "light" Gruppen to more effectively deal with escorting fighters.

Existing Fw 190-equipped Gruppen (e.g. I./JG 11) were to be considered as "heavy" Gruppen, since these machines existing guns could be supplemented with additional armor and armaments and thus be better able to bring down the bombers. At the end of the month I./JG 11 had 53 aircraft on strength including 19 Fw 190 A-5s with a large proportion the heavily-armed A-5/U12s with two 20 mm cannons gondolas under each of their wings, all for a maximum punch against the heavy bombers.

Not much is known of this aircraft's pilot, Lt. Michael Widman, other than he flew his last combat mission on 9 October 1943 when the US Eighth Air Force attacked the aircraft plants at Anklam and Marienburg. He was one of the 29 pilots who took-off this day from Husum. After making a successful attack on the incoming bombers the Gruppe filed claims for eleven B-17s for own losses of three Fw 190s.

One of the Gruppe's three pilots lost this day was Lt. Widman. He was flying Fw 190 A-6 'Black 1' that crashed in the Fehmarn area, with Widman still listed as missing in action.

This Fw 190 was later in September had a distinctive red stripe marking on the Schwarmführer's aircraft painted on, which when viewed from above presented as a large "V". Note also the Staffel Focke-Wulfs narrow white fuselage band immediately behind the fuselage cross.

Note that a later version of the Fw 190 A-6 that flown by Lt. Widman in late September 1943 had an overpainted fuselage band and that red stipe marking. This perticular profile was published in profile book No 14, as profile No 66.

This Fw 190 A-6 was made yesterday, one of four new pfofiles made by me during the week, I also manage to update three older profiles. This profile would be published in my upcoming Profie Book No 18.