Photo 01-02: The former Soviet aerodrome at Siverskaya was a major air base with heated hangars and full services for men and machines. For many months this base became the home of JG54 which, due to the facilities and hard runway, remained operational when other airfields closed down due to Winter weather conditions.
Photo 03: A Bf-109of JG54 taxiing in loose snow. Note how the propeller has created a small blizzard which will quickly erode the white winter finish around the leading edge of the wing roots.
Photo 04: The effect of this erosion is seen to advantage in this view of ground staff working on a snow-camouflaged Bf 109F-4 which also shows conspicuous weathering on the spinner and oil-streaks on the engine cowlings. The undersurfaces, normally seen in shadow, have been illuminated by light reflected off the snow which shows the yellow area under the engine particularly well. As frequently seen on aircraft operating in snow, the lower parts of the undercarriage covers have been removed.
Photo 01: A bombed-up Bf-109 of JG54 already loaded with four SC 50 bombs and, more 'Green Heart' aircraft, each loaded with a single SC 250 in the background.
Photo 01-02: The Luftwaffe placed great emphasis on aerial victories and fighter pilots with high scores were rewarded with decorations, promotion, and publicity in newsreels and newspapers. In contrast, any successes achieved during direct intervention in ground battles through strafing or other ground-attack sorties were largely neglected. This photograph shows a Luftwaffe armourer loading SC 50 bombs beneath a Bf-109E The centreline rack could hold four of these weapons and, as may be seen in this photograph, cardboard whistles have been attached to the bombs' tailfins.
Remarks: Shot down with wounds 12 February, 1942 in his F-2 over the Siwerskaja airfield, S.U.. On 16 May, 1942, no disposition of Biermann is given in this 'K 135' incident which happened at the Siwerskaja airfield also. One known Soviet victory, a Yak-1 on 9 May, 1942. One known western victory, a Photo Recon Spitfire 20 km N of Emden on 7 September, 1942. On 17 April, 1943, while in 5/JG-11, flying the Fw 190A-4 & 5, he opposed B-17's, downing one-his 4th victory, over Wilhelmshaven/Emden, flying out of Jever. Another B-17 claimed on 19 May, 1943 on the Kiel raid. His 6th, a B-17 (HSS) at Schaal See on 25 July, 1943. His 7th, a P-47 38 km NW of Nordeney on 27 September, 1943. His 8th, a B-24 off Ile d' Oleron on 31 December, 1943. The Bf 109G-1 in JG-1 was Werk # 14047 'Black 8' in which Biermann made a force landing W of Emden due to engine trouble. Survived the war; a friend of Knoke.
Remarks: MIA 6 January, 1943 south of Welikije-Luki. On 2 December, 1942 he was flying his F-2 when it sustained 20% damage near Tschudowo. His first known Soviet victory, an I-18 on 18 November, 1941. An I-16 on 30 December, 1941. A Soviet P-40 on 13 March, 1942. An I-16 Rata on 22 March, 1942. An I-26 on 23 March, 1942. A Yak-1 on 27 June, 1942. A Pe-2 on 1 July, 1942. A LaGG-3 on 10 August, 1942. A LaGG-3 on 11 August, 1942. An I-16 Rata and a LaGG-3 on 21 August, 1942. An Il-2 and a MiG-3 on 27 August, 1942. A LaGG-3 on 30 August, 1942. A P-40 on 3 September, 1942. A MiG-3 on 7 September, 1942. A Yak-1 on 20 September, 1942. A LaGG-3 on 23 September, 1942. An I-16 Rata on 30 September, 1942. A Yak-4 on 12 October, 1942. An Il-2 on 26 October, 1942. A MiG-3 10 km SE of Velikiye Luki on 16 December, 1942. A MiG-3 9 km NNE of Velikiye Luki on 17 December, 1942. His last victory, a LaGG-3 on 6 January, 1943, the day he went missing.