At the end of July 1940 an order (some said from Göring) reached the JG 53 which produced more than a little irritation. From then on it was forbidden to use their proud “As the Spades” emblem, to be replaced by a red band. The reason given was that the emblem of this very successful unit -others were just as successful- was too well-known by the enemies and has became a nuisance in combat operations.
The real reason, it seems, was JG 52’s Kommodore Oberstleutnant von Cramon-Taubadel was not well-liked by the people at the top because he married a “not enough aryan wife”. Further evidence of this awful treatment: he wasn’t among the contemporary fighter Kommodores that received the Knight’s Cross in 1940. The final sign was the “As the Spades” emblem was reinstated just after von Cramon-Taubadel left the unit…..
Nice picture of one of JG 53’s Jabo (fighter-bomber). The red band even looked cool on it. The shame was in another place.
Aviation Rapture 
Where do you get all your photos? You have an amazing collection.
Thanks,but almost all of them are taken from the web.if you click the pic the real source is evident.I only shared them with some of my thoughts.
Pingback: Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1: A Dog’s War. | The Dreamy Dodo