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Important personal photo album of Hauptmann Franz Xaver Baron von Werra known from the movie based on his story "The one who got away" (Einer kam durch). He is generally regarded as the only Axis prisoner of war to succeed in escaping from Canadian custody and returning to Germany.
Von Werra took part in the Poland Campaign flying a Me109 with I/.J.G.1 as a young Leutnant. He served with II./J.G.3 during the France Campaign where he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class for shooting two bombers. He was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class shortly after and the Knight's Cross on 14.12.1940.
Being promoted an Oberleutnant he now served with II./Jagdgeschwader 53 "Pik Ass" during the "Battle of Britain" where he was shot down on 5.9.1940. He was captured by the British and did several attempts to escape without luck. He was sent to a Canadian POW camp where he finally managed to escape to the US, made it to South America, Africa, Spain, Italy finally reaching Germany on 18.4.1941. This story is told in the movie "The one that got away" (Einer kam durch).
Werra returned to active service with the Luftwaffe and was initially deployed to the Russian front as Gruppenkommandeur of I./JG 53. He scored 13 more aerial victories during July 1941, raising his overall confirmed total to 21. In early August 1941, I./JG 53 withdrew to Germany to re-equip with the new Bf 109F-4, after which it moved to Katwijk in the Netherlands.
On 25.10.1941 Werra took off in Bf 109F-4 Number 7285 on a practice flight. His aircraft suffered a complete engine failure and crashed into the sea north of Vlissingen. Werra was presumed killed, though his body was never found.
A rare chance to get hold of the personal album of the "real" Franz von Werra.
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Period time album roughly 393 original photos. Many photos show Franz von Werra. Others are clearly connected with his units. The second page shoes a great period time portrait photo of Gordon Gollob wearing his Oak Leaves. A period time ink signature of him to the photo. Another small photo shows Gollob sitting on his aircraft. One more private Gollob photograph with original ink signature to the front and back (!) can be found on one of the last pages.
Gollob served with II./J.G.3 together with von Werra.
Many photos show the famous baby lion "Geschwaderlöwe" next to the aircrafts or playing on the ground. Very famous pictures for Jagdgeschwader 3 taken during the France Campaign.
A great photo shows von Werra saluting in front of Hitler. Hitler is shown from the reverse.
Many photos showing detailed pictures of his Me109, tactual emblems, tanks and high raking or highly decorated soldiers. A lot of Me109 pictures show the emblem of II./Jagdgeschader 3 where he served during the France Campaign.
There are also photos of his early time as well as photos taken on the Russian front. One photo shows wearing in full RAD leader's uniform.
The album was certainly not set-up by him but probably by a family member. The photos are not glued in in sequence.
Album in good condition 2. Slightly damaged to the cover only.
