|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SEE HALF PRICE AND FREE PRINT SPECIAL OFFER AVIATION ART PRINTS - ALL SALES FUND OUR HISTORICAL DATABASES - CLICK HERE |
| Click Here For Full Artist Print Indexes | Aviation History Archive |
|
|
Ju88 |
|
Name : Ju88 Manufacturer : Junkers Production Began : 0 Retired : 0 Number Built : 15000 |
The German Junkers JU 88 twin engined Bomber of World war two. The first prototype first flew in December 1936 with a civilian registration of D-AQEN it managed a top speed of 360 mph. This would give the German air force the Luftwaffe a fast multi role bomber. The Junkers JU 88 was used as a night fighter, reconnaissance and Torpedo Bomber. In total there were 15,000 JU 88's built during the war JU88 losses unknown serial numbers at this stage 11/12.07.40: Target Avonmouth & Portishead: Ju 88A of I/KG 51 4 NCO's missing Failed to return and probably crashed into the sea. 11/12.07.40: Target Avonmouth & Portishead: Ju 88A of 3/KG 51 Ofw. Josef Rattel (F) killed 1 NCO injured 2 others uninjured This aircraft was unable to precisely identify the target because of intense flak. It suffered engine failure on the return flight and crashed and burnt out at Varnevil while on approach to landing. 22.08.40: Reconnaissance over Filton: Ju 88A-1, 7A+AL, of 3(F)/121 Ogefr. W.Kuhweide ( ) killed Ltn. R.Pfundtner ( ) POW injured Oblt. Baudler ( ) POW injured Flg. A.Leber ( ) POW injured Crashed at 16.00 hrs at Upcott Farm, Beaford, nr. Okehampton, Devon. Shot down by Spitfires of Green Section, 152 Sq. (Warmwell) following an attack by P/O. W.Beaumont. 11/12.04.41: Target Bristol area: Ju 88A-5, B3+GN of 5/KG 54 Uffz. Karl Funke (F) missing Fw. Josef Höhnhorst (Bf) missing Gefr. Heinz Bretschneider (Bs) missing Gefr. Horst Heller (B) missing Failed to return, probably crashed into the sea |
| Pilots and Aircrew for : Ju88 | ||
| A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this aircraft. A profile page is available by clicking their name. | ||
| Name | Info | |
| Aalgeer, Click the name above to see a profile of Aalgeer, | Aalgeer, Flew JU88 C and G's shot down one aircraft in the Buchum-Dortmund area. on the 4th November 1944 1./NJG 2 | |
| Adelmaier, Conrad Click the name above to see a profile of Adelmaier, Conrad
| Adelmaier, Conrad MIA 11 April, 1942 on an operation at Map Quadrant 06 East/6266, no further detail. Remaining crew (all MIA): Ogefr Josef Bock, Observer; Ogefr Walter Wilhelm, R/O and Ogefr Helmut Reppert, Gunner. | |
| ALBRECHT, Hans Click the name above to see a profile of ALBRECHT, Hans | ALBRECHT, Hans Crewman of a Ju.88 bomber shot down into the sea off Grand Harbour. Rescued by a RAF Launch and taken prisoner, 6th July 1942 | |
| Albrecht, Richard A Click the name above to see a profile of Albrecht, Richard A
| Albrecht, Richard A KIA 24 March, 1945, the AC crashing in the Uedemer Bruch, Kreis Kleve. Remaining crew (KIA): Walter Aglassinger, R/O; Uffz Gustav Thele and Heinrich Fuchsius. Albrecht and Aglassinger were buried in Weeze. | |
| Albrecht, Siegfried Click the name above to see a profile of Albrecht, Siegfried
| Albrecht, Siegfried KIC 26/27 December, 1944 when his Ju 88 crashed at Malonne Belgium, cause not given. Buried Lommel, Block 54/544. Remaining crew (dispositions not given): Fw Walter Berger, Uffz heinz Haake and Uffz Hans Roch. | |
| Ambs, Alfred Click the name above to see a profile of Ambs, Alfred
| Ambs, Alfred Born in Gladbeck on the 23rd January 1923, Alfred Ambs joined the Luftwaffe on the 10th July 1942. Initiqally attached to a training unit, he flew Ju88s, Me110s, Me109 and Fw190 aircraft. He was in the following units : Flg.Rgt. 53, Luftkriegsschule 3, Flugzeugführerschule C14 in Prague. Flugzeugführerschule B33 (Prague-Rusin), and Zerstörergeschwader 101. As the war situation worsened, Ambs was transferred to train on the new Messerschmitt 262 fighter with JG7 in Lechfeld. Flying with this unit, Ambs shot down 6 Allied aircraft to finish the war an Me 262 jet Ace. He flew his last mission on 23rd March 1945, and had flown a total of nearly 75 missions on the Me262. Sadly, Alfred Ambs passed away on 30th March 2010. | |
| Anders, Walter Click the name above to see a profile of Anders, Walter | Anders, Walter | |
| ARNOLD, Ulrich Click the name above to see a profile of ARNOLD, Ulrich | ARNOLD, Ulrich Feldwebel, 2/KG 806, Observer of a Junkers Ju.88 bomber. His aircraft was damaged and he bailed out parachuting down to earth where he was taken prisoner, 3rd January 1942 | |
| BABINEK,, Wilfred Click the name above to see a profile of BABINEK,, Wilfred
| BABINEK,, Wilfred Leutnant, 3/NJG 2, Pilot of a Ju.88 bomber shot down by Anti Aircraft fire while bombing Malta. and died 29th December 1941, buried in Malta. In 1960 his remains were taken to the St. Michele Cemetery, Cagliari, Sardinia | |
| Baptist, Walter Click the name above to see a profile of Baptist, Walter
| Baptist, Walter MIA with unnamed crew at Kirow-Kaluga 3 June, 1942, cause unknown. | |
| Bastian, Walter Click the name above to see a profile of Bastian, Walter
| Bastian, Walter Missing in Action presumed Killed on the 12th August, 1942 near Sardinia; shot down by carrier borne fighters of No 800 Sqd during Operation Bellows while flying a JU-88 also known to have flown Ju 88A-4 Trop Werk # 140074 "L1 + EH" (lost 8/12/42) flew with 1/LG-1 in the Mediterranean | |
| Bauer, Karl Max Click the name above to see a profile of Bauer, Karl Max | Bauer, Karl Max Unteroffizier, II/KG 47, Wireless Operator of a Ju.88 bomber while on a mission to bomb Malta was shot down into the sea.and Rescued and taken prisoner on the Island on the 28th July 1942 | |
| Bähr, Walter Click the name above to see a profile of Bähr, Walter
| Bähr, Walter MIA 15 May, 1943 near Saloniki-Sarabus, Ukraine. Flugbuch. | |
| Beck, Click the name above to see a profile of Beck,
| Beck, MIA with his Observer StbsFw Erich Neumann and two other unnamed crew at the Kuban bridgehead 12 April, 1943, cause unknown (Ju 88 Loss List). had flown Ju 88D-1 Werk # 430279 "F6 + NM" (lost 4/12/43) | |
| BECKER,, Gerhard Click the name above to see a profile of BECKER,, Gerhard
| BECKER,, Gerhard Oberleutnant, 6/KG 77, Pilot of a Junkers Ju.88 bomber shot down by Anti Aircraft fire over Malta and died early evening 9th March 1942. Buried in Malta. In 1960 his remains were taken to the St. Michele Cemetery, Cagliari, Sardinia | |
| BEHNISCH,, Walter Click the name above to see a profile of BEHNISCH,, Walter
| BEHNISCH,, Walter Feldwebel, KG 806, Air Gunner in a Ju.88 bomber, on the 4th July 1942 His aircraft was shot down while bombing Malta and was killed | |
| Bender, Hans-Wilhelm Click the name above to see a profile of Bender, Hans-Wilhelm | Bender, Hans-Wilhelm Flew Ju88s with KG3 and was awarded the Knights Cross on 8th September 1941. | |
| BLASS,, Arthur Click the name above to see a profile of BLASS,, Arthur | BLASS,, Arthur Obergefreiter, Air Gunner of a Ju.88 bomber which was shot down into the sea off Gozo. He was rescued by a RAF Launch and taken prisoner on Mlata, 20th July 1942 | |
| BOEGER, Paul Click the name above to see a profile of BOEGER, Paul
| BOEGER, Paul 8/KG 77,killed on the 10th April 1942 when he fell from a Junkers Ju.88 bomber while on bombing mission over Malta | |
| BOEHMER, Willi Click the name above to see a profile of BOEHMER, Willi
| BOEHMER, Willi flying with 4/KG 77, as a Wireless Operator in a Ju.88 bomber, shot down while on a bombing mission over malate and died 4th July 1942 | |
| BOLTEN,, Peter Click the name above to see a profile of BOLTEN,, Peter
| BOLTEN,, Peter flying with II/KG 77,as a Observer of a Ju.88 bomber, shot down while on bombing mission over Malta and died 28th July 1942 | |
| BONK, , Karl Click the name above to see a profile of BONK, , Karl
| BONK, , Karl Pilot with 8/KG 77, on Ju.88 bomber during a mission over Malta, was shot down and killed 20th July 1942 | |
| BRAUN, Emil Click the name above to see a profile of BRAUN, Emil
| BRAUN, Emil Pilot with KG 806, on Ju.88 bombers, shot down and killed during a Raid over Malta 14th May 1942 | |
| BRAUNS, Wilhelm Click the name above to see a profile of BRAUNS, Wilhelm | BRAUNS, Wilhelm POW 19 December, 1941 after being shot down by a Hurricane of RAF No.126 Sq. over Malta in Ju 88C-4 Werk # 0564 "R4 + HH" and taken prisoner He may have been the victim of P/O Edw. "Pete" Steele, an American, whowho would be killed that day. The JU 88 Loss List claims Braun MIA and one crew WIA. Added: 60+ missions over Poland, Norway, England, Africa & Malta. Known victories, two Hamdens 14 November, 1940; a Blenheim 11 December, 1940 and an unidentified on 27 December, 1940. He was sd by a Skua over Norway in April, 1940, but unhurt. His two Ju 88 crew were Matuschka & Heese (R.Randall) he also flew earlier with 1(Z)/KG-40, and then 1/NJG-2 (Med) | |
| Briegleb, Walter Click the name above to see a profile of Briegleb, Walter | Briegleb, Walter Born April 30th 1923. Luftwaffe pilot flying Ju88s NJG2, NJG3. Received Iron Cross Second Class and First Class and the German Cross in Gold. The 10./NJG 3 Captain Olt. Walter Briegleb had 25 victories including the following Lancaster : Lancaster Mark III, PB 118 'Q' from 1654 Heavy Conversion Unit, RAF Wigsley near Lincoln was on a night exercise practice bombing over the Bassingham ranges between Lincoln and Newark close to the A46 Fosse Way. This crew had never been on 'Ops'. They saw one aircraft shot down in flames. The rear gunner then saw a Ju 88 who kept following the Lancaster until he gave the aircraft a burst of fire to put him off. Complying with instructions known as 'Scram' the pilot of the Lancaster headed in a Westerly direction. Five minutes later the mid upper gunner spotted another Ju88 but evaded any damage. Not long after, over Worksop, the Lancaster was hit on the starboard engine inner, the attacker for some reason or other could not be seen, after a second burst of fire the aircraft was out of control. The Skipper gave the order to bale out in the vicinity of Warsop Windmill. The blazing aircraft plunged, fortunately, into a field near the railway embankment at Sookholme, near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. Six of the seven crew survived, the mid upper gunner (believed to be Flt Sgt Joseph William Camm RAFVR (1452103)) was killed, landing in the Spion Kop region. The Ranby family cared for them. Eddy Moss, deceased, a Gents Hairdresser on Sherwood Street was an A.R.P. Warden at the time and saw the Lancaster coming down in flames. Lancaster PB118 was one of two claims in Operation Gisella (a Luftwaffe night-fighter intruder sortie) by Oberleutnant Walter Briegleb during the night of 3/4 March 1945. He claimed to have shot down a 4-engined aircraft at 00:36 hours South of Waddington, and another 4-engined plane at 00:56 hours 40 km (25 NM) W of Lincoln - PB118 was probably the latter. During the Autumn OF 1944 Briegleb flew the ju 88 G-6: 4R+BR out of Kassel-Rothwestern, Germany. | |
| Csurusky, Georg Click the name above to see a profile of Csurusky, Georg | Csurusky, Georg After completing his pilot training, Georg was posted in January, 1943, to 1.KG51 on the eastern front, flying the JU-88 all-weather medium bomber. In August, 1943, he converted to fly the ME-410 Hornet. On October 3rd 1943 Hauptmann Georg Csurusky was awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (The German Cross in Gold). In 1944, 1 Gruppe KG51 converted to train on the ME-262 jet fighter-bomber for the Western Front. Georg flew the 262 on the attack on the Ludendorff Bridge. At the war's end he had flown 209 combat missions on both fronts, 68 of which were in the ME-262. | |
| Felde, Karl-Horst Meyer zum Click the name above to see a profile of Felde, Karl-Horst Meyer zum | Felde, Karl-Horst Meyer zum With a passion for flying Karl-Horst joined the Luftwafte in October 1938, and following the outbreak of war he flew night operations as a pilot with KG55 over France before taking part in the great Blitz raids over England. After the invasion of Russia he transferred to the Eastern Front and fought at Stalingrad, making several emergency landings including one major incident when, having lost an engine to enemy action, he made a forced landing on one engine in the countryside of south Russia, where he had to join German ground units. He flew both He111s and Ju88s during the war, and was awarded the German Cross in Gold. | |
| Funke, Karl Click the name above to see a profile of Funke, Karl
| Funke, Karl 11/12.04.41: Target Bristol area: Ju 88A-5, B3+GN of 5/KG 54 Uffz. Karl Funke (F) missing Fw. Josef Höhnhorst (Bf) missing Gefr. Heinz Bretschneider (Bs) missing Gefr. Horst Heller (B) missing Failed to return, probably crashed into the sea | |
| Höhnhorst, Josef Click the name above to see a profile of Höhnhorst, Josef
| Höhnhorst, Josef 11/12.04.41: Target Bristol area: Ju 88A-5, B3+GN of 5/KG 54 Uffz. Karl Funke (F) missing Fw. Josef Höhnhorst (Bf) missing Gefr. Heinz Bretschneider (Bs) missing Gefr. Horst Heller (B) missing Failed to return, probably crashed into the sea | |
| Hoffmann, Werner Click the name above to see a profile of Hoffmann, Werner
| Hoffmann, Werner Born in 1918, Werner Hoffman began flying gliders in 1932 before joining the Luftwaffe in 1936, being awarded his pilots badge in June 1938. A month later, he was with 7./JG234 which, at the beginning of May 1939, became one of the first Destroyer units, I./ZG52. He was assigned to 4./ZG2 and took part in the Battle of France, scoring his first victory, a Spitfire, over Dunkirk. After being wounded, he served as a Staffelkapitan with Erganzungs Zerstorer Gruppe in Denmark, before retraining as a night fighter. Becoming Staffelkpitan of 5./NJG3, he took part in the Channel Dash operations. Hoffmann claimed two twin engine RAF bombers during the 1,000 bomber raid on the night of 25th - 26th June 1942, his first victories at night. In July 1943 he was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of I./NJG5. By the end of 1943, his victory total had increased to 18, but on 20th January 1944 his aircraft was damaged by a Lancaster bomber and he was forced to bale out. At the end of January 1944, he shot down three Halifaxes one night, followed by two Lancasters the following night. With further victories over four-engined bombers at night, his tally grew until the night of 16th - 17th March 1945, when his Ju88 was shot down by a Mosquito night fighter, thought to have been the 239 Sqn Mosquito of British Ace Dennis Hughes. He flew almost 200 missions, scoring 51 night and 1 day victories. Awarded the Knight's Cross in 1943, he was nominated for the Oak Leaves. Werner Hoffman passed away on 8th July 2011. | |
| Kesten, Kurt Click the name above to see a profile of Kesten, Kurt | Kesten, Kurt Kurt Kesten was born in 1922 and entered the Luftwaffe in 1941. He flew many types of training aircraft, and later flew the He-111, Do-17, and ju-88. Kesten served with SG 3, KG 30, and KG (j) 30 where he flew the FW190 F Mistel combination. His last assignment prior to the end of the War was at Rostcock-Marienehe, a former Heinkel factory airfield, where he flew the Mistel combination. After Mistel operations had ended Kesten flew a number of fighter-bomber missions in the FW-190 F. Kesten was awarded the Iron Cross Class 2. He currently resides in Hannoversch-Munden, Germany. | |
| Lagoda, Max Click the name above to see a profile of Lagoda, Max | Lagoda, Max Joining up in 1939 he underwent instruction as a Wireless Operator. After completing his flight course he joined Fernaufklärere 2(F) Ob.d.L, a reconnaissance Sqn in France, becoming one of the few radio operators in the Luftwaffe trained to operate specialist reconnaissance Ju88s. Almost immediately the unit was sent to East Prussia ready for the invasion of Russia, where he flew 161 combat missions including operations over Leningrad, the Crimea and the Caucasus. In 1943 he was transferred back to Germany as an instructor and commanded an anti-aircraft unit before being taken PoW in April 1945. | |
| Lauer, Rony Click the name above to see a profile of Lauer, Rony | Lauer, Rony Rony Lauer joined the Luftwaffe in 1937 but was still in pilot training at the start of the war. In 1942 he was posted to join KG30, flying the JU-88 on operations over England and later in the Mediteranean theater. In June, 1944, he transferred to 1./KG51 for training on the ME-262 and flew in in combat a few months later. Rony flew one of the lead aircraft in the attack on the Bridge at Remagen, and flew the 262 until the end of the war. Rony Lauer was witness to the first recorded Allied destruction of a Me262, belonging to the unit known as Kommando Schenk, on 28th August 1944, claimed as destroyed by 78th FG pilots Major Joseph Myers and Second Lieutenant Manford O. Croy flying P-47 Thunderbolts. Oberfeldwebel Hieronymus Ronny Lauer of I KG(J) 51, on a landing pattern crash landed his 262 to get away from the Allied fighters, which then destroyed the Me262 in strafing attacks. | |
| Peltz, Dietrich Click the name above to see a profile of Peltz, Dietrich
| Peltz, Dietrich Dietrich Peltz, born June 1914, joined the army in 1934, attending pilot training from late 1935. After training, he flew 320 missions on the Ju-87 Stuka before converting to Ju-88s in the summer of 1940. Awarded the Knights Cross in Octobr 1940, he attained the rank of Generalmajor, being awarded the Oak Leaves and Swords to his Knights Cross in December 1941 and July 1943 respectively. In January 1944, Dietrich Peltz took part in Operation Steinbock, the retaliatory bombing of England, referred to as the Baby Blitz, which ended in heavy losses for German bombers. Dietrich Peltz died 20th August 2001. | |
| Rokker, Heinz Click the name above to see a profile of Rokker, Heinz | Rokker, Heinz Luftwaffe Nightfighter Pilot, who flew mostly the famed Junkers 88 G1 with the 1/NJG2 in Germany and later in France. He was awarded the Ritter Kreuz (Knights Cross) and Oak Leaves. Heinz Rokker shot down Thomas Harvell on the night of 28/29th July 1944 over Domremy, the birthplace of Joan of Arc. The Lancaster No.LM206 crashed into a farm and the River Meuse. One of the engines can be seen in the museum near Neuf Chateau. His final total was a staggering 64 kills (63 at night) | |
| Rubmeyer, Karl Click the name above to see a profile of Rubmeyer, Karl | Rubmeyer, Karl Karl Rubmeyer was born in 1918 at Roche near UeIzen, Germany. He entered the Luftwaffe in 1940. He flew the standard types of training aircraft and the He-111, ju~86, Ju-88, captured French Saiman 202, Caudron 405, and the Mistel combination. He served with Uberfuhrunggsgeschader West and KG 30 and KG 200 where he flew the Mistel. His last assignment was at the former Heinkel factory airfield at Rostock-Marienehe. Rubmeyer attained the rank of Feldwebel and received the Iron Cross Class 2. Following the War Rubmeyer served as the Secretary in a printing business. He currently resides in Germany. | |
| Specht, Ernst Click the name above to see a profile of Specht, Ernst | Specht, Ernst Called up in 1942, he trained as a radio operator on Ju88s and subsequently joined KG 54 8th Stafel. He flew over 50 missions including attacks Britain’s south coast before taking part in the concentrated efforts to defend occupied Europe with many missions over Normandy. On 31st July 1944 his aircraft was shot down by US anti-aircraft fire near St Lo and he was the only member of is crew to survive. Taken PoW he then spent time in the USA and UK having been awarded the Iron Cross First Class | |
| Thomas, Helmut Click the name above to see a profile of Thomas, Helmut | Thomas, Helmut Flying the Ju88, Herbert Thomas fought as a night fighter pilot during the Battle of Britain with I./NJ62. On 8th May 1942 he was shot down and badly wounded over Yorkshire, England. He had 7 victories and was awarded the Iron Cross I and II. | |
| Wieczorek, Hermann Click the name above to see a profile of Wieczorek, Hermann | Wieczorek, Hermann Hermann Wieczorek joined the Luftwaffe in 1935 and served as a flight mechanic before training as a pilot. Upon qualifying, he served initially as a flying instructor before joining Oberfehlshaber Sud, under General Kesselring, flying photoreconnaissance missions in the ME-110 and JU-88 over Italy and North Africa. In June, 1944, he was transferred to 1./KG51, flying the ME-262 on the Western Front. Hermann flew the 262 in the action against the Bridge at Remagen and afterword until the end of the war. | |
| Winn, Rudolf Click the name above to see a profile of Winn, Rudolf | Winn, Rudolf PILOT OF ju88c-4 (750935) of 1 Staffel / Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 which was shot down | |
| Zorner, Paul Click the name above to see a profile of Zorner, Paul
| Zorner, Paul Originally a transport pilot, Paul Zorner flew in North Africa, the Mediterranean and southern Russia before retraining as a nightfighter pilot, joining II./NJG2 in 1942 flying the Ju88. In December he took command of 2./NJG3 operating first the Do217 and then the Me110. At the beginning of 1943 he was squadron commander of 3./NJG3 and then 8./NJG3, which he led until April 1944, when he took command of III./NJG5, re-equipping with the Ju88G-6. In October 1944 he was promoted to become Kommander of II./NJG100. Paul Zorner was credited with 59 victories and was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. | |
Known Individual Aircraft : Ju88 : | ||||||||
Type | Serial | Codes | First Flew | Squadron History | Aircrew History | History Notes | Engine | Factory |
R4 - | - | no information | ||||||
D7+BH | - | no information | no information | |||||
| Squadrons for : Ju88 | ||
| A list of all squadrons known to have flown the Ju88. A profile page is available by clicking the squadron name. | ||
| Squadron | Info | |
1./FAGr. 5 Country : Germany Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 1./FAGr. 5 | 1./FAGr. 5 1./FAGr. 5: was Formed 6.43 in Mont-de-Marsan from 3.(F)/Aufkl.Gr.10. between June 1943 -and August 1994 stationed at Mont-de-Marsan and flew Ju 290A In August 1944 stationed at ühldorf until December 1944. moving to Neubiberg and flying Ju 88D was renamed to FAGr. 1 in february 45 stationed at Neubiberg. It then came under the command of Gen. d. Lw. in Dänemark, moving to Grove march 45, and remained so until the end. Einsatzkdo. of FAGr. 5/1 operated with Ar 234 from Stavanger! On the 22.04.45 OKL ordred Stab FAGr 1 dissolved! on the 6. may 1945 | |
4.(F)/122 Country : Germany Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 4.(F)/122 | 4.(F)/122 Formed Sep 1939 in Goslar. March 1942 – In preparation for the coming assault on Sevastapol 4(F)./122 was ordered to perform photo-reconnaissance of the following types of target – fortifications, mobilization points, supply depots, and routes in the Crimea; embarkation and supply points along the Caucasus coastline. Together with airfields and transportation routes in the northern Caucasus. 15 Mar 1942 – 4(F)./122 was ordered to increase photo reconnaissance coverage of eastern Crimea and North Caucasia in preparation for a forthcoming German offensive to retake the Kerch Peninsula (Operation “Trappenjagd”), which commenced on 8 May. 25 Mar 1942 – Ju 88s of 4(F)./122 photographed ports in the Crimea and the Kerch Straits (Sevastapol, Kerch, Kamysh-Burun and Tamanskaya) and the Caucasus coast (Novorosiisk and Tuapse) as well as airfields and train stations in the NW Caucasus (Krymskaya, Krasnodar and Kropotkin). Known bases: Goslar, Sep 1939 - May 1940 Melsbroek, Jul 1940 - May 1941 Reichshof, Jun 1941 - Jul 1941 Winnitsa, Aug 1941 - Jan 1942 Nikolayev, Jan 1942 - Apr 1942 Saki, Apr 1942 - Jul 1942 Kertsch, Jul 1942 - Sep 1942 Maikop, Sep 1942 - Mar 1943 Sarabus, Mar 1943 - Nov 1943 Königsberg-Devau, Nov 1943 - 13 Mar 1944 Jürgenfelde(?), Mar 1944 - 4 Jun 1944 Gutenfeld, 4 Jun 1944 - 10 Jul 1944 Bergamo, 10 Jul 1944 - May 1945 | |
KG3 Country : Germany Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of KG3 | KG3 Full profile not yet available. | |
KG30 Country : Germany Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of KG30 | KG30 Full profile not yet available. | |
KG51 Country : Germany Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of KG51 | KG51 Full profile not yet available. | |
KG54 Country : Germany Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of KG54 | KG54 Kampfgeschwader 54 "Totenkopf"(German pronunciation: [ kampfɡəʃvaːdɐ fiːɐ ʊntfʏnftsɪç ]) (KG 54) was a Luftwaffe bomber wing during World War II. It served on nearly all the fronts in the European Theatre where the German Luftwaffe operated. KG 54 was formed in May 1939. The bomber wing was equipped with two of the major German medium bomber types; the Heinkel He 111 and the Junkers Ju 88. It was given and insignia of a human skull, which was sometimes displayed on a shield-like device, but more often depicted over a normal camouflage pattern. It bore a strikingly close graphic resemblance to that of the 3rd SS Panzer Division, known as the "Death's Head Division". The Totenkopf motif was inspired by the Braunschweiger Black Hussars KG 54 began it's first campaign in September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland, which began World War II. It spent the Phoney War resting and refitting though it did carry out leaflet-dropping over France. In April 1940KG 54 briefly supported the Operation Weserübung, the invasions of Denmark and Norway. In May 1940KG 54 played a critical and controversial role in Fall Gelb, the German offensive into Western Europe. On 14 May 1940, as the Battle of the Netherlands reached a climax, KG 54 carried out the Rotterdam Blitz, which destroyed the centre of the city and killed many civilians. The attack played a role in the surrender of the Dutch Army.[2] KG 54 continued to support German forces in the Battle of Belgium and Battle of France through to the surrender of the latter in June 1940. From July 1940 it fought in the Battle of Britain sustaining considerable losses and thereafter in The Blitz.KG 54 also provided tertiary support to the Kriegsmarine, German Navy, the Battle of the Atlantic. From June 1941 to October 1942 it fought on the Eastern Front after Operation Barbarossa and the invasion of the Soviet Union. In 1943 it served in the Mediterranean, Middle East and African theatres of war.KG 54 fought on the Italian Front and participated in Operation Steinbock over England. It supported German forces in the night intruder role over the beachheads in June 1944 and served on the Western Front until October 1944, when the last of its groups was disbanded | |
KG77 Country : Germany Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of KG77 | KG77 Kampfgeschwader 77 was formed on 1 May 1939 at Praha-Kbely, Kampfgeschwader 77 in Czechoslovakia with Stab./KG 77 and I Gruppe. II Gruppe at Praha-Kbely on the same date. The unit was allocated to Luftflotte 4, and equipped with the Do 17Z, while III./KG 77 was not made operational until 26 August 1939, again in Königgrätz, now Hradec Králové. While training in the summer of 1939 the Geschwader "worked up" on the Dornier Do 17Z and He 111. During the Polish campaign I. and III. Gruppes of KG 77 took part in combat operations. Operating from Breslau-Schöngarten (today Copernicus Airport Wrocław), I./KG 77 committed 108 bombers to the campaign. Operating from Breslau under Luftflotte 4. The unit participated in the Battle of Bzura, and carried out raids in the areas of Galicia, Radom, Kielce and Warsaw against rail, airfield and troop targets During the advance through Belgiuma nd France The Unit committed 111 bombers to the campaign. From its base at Werl it operated over Belgium and northern France, attacking French armour targets in the Reims and Amiens area. KG 77 supported the German Army during the Battle of Dunkirk, and it supported the southern offensive, Fall Rot until the French surrender. Its most notable action during the campaign was its part in Operation Paula, an all-out attack on Paris airfields, 3 June 1940. During the battle of Britain In mid-July 1940 all three gruppen returned to Germany to convert to the Junkers Ju 88. When III./KG 77 returned to France in late August (it was still based at Regensburg on 26 August) it had 35 Ju 88s operational. This gruppe suffered losses of 9 Ju 88s on a single mission against Gravesend on 18 September, one of the highest losses of any gruppe in a single mission.I./KG 77 in conjunction with II. and III. gruppe supported operations during the Blitz. On 27 September I./KG 77 lost six J 88s when raiding London, while II./KG 77 lost another six on the same night. During 1941 the Geschwader also took part in the Battle of the Atlantic. It attempted to support the German battleship Bismarck during her Atlantic operation during 26–28 May 1941. However, the unit was unable to intervene before she sank. The Geschwader did manage to sink the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Mashona on 28 May 1941, as the British forces withdrew to port. Daylight and night attacks were undertaken over the British Isles again from 27 July - 13 August 1942. I and III./KG 77 were the only units committed to Operation Barbarossa, with a total of 59 Ju 88s.[4] The Geschwader supported Army Group North's drive into the Baltic states and took part in the Siege of Leningrad. During this period I./KG 77 helped defeat a strong Soviet counter-attack by the 11th Army and 34th Army. KG 77 also supported Operation Beowulf, the invasion of the Baltic islands of Osel, Moon and Dago. During the battle for Estonia it inflicted severe losses on Soviet shipping, with the same dive-bombing tactics used over Norway, France and Britain. KGr 806 sank the Soviet destroyer Karl Marx on 8 August 1941 in Loksa Bay, Tallinn. On 28 August the Ju 88s had more success when KG 77 and KGr 806 sank the 2,026 grt steamer Vironia, the 2,317 grt Lucerne, the 1,423 Atis Kronvalds and the ice breaker Krisjanis Valdemars (2,250 grt). The rest of the Soviet "fleet", were forced to change course. This took them through a heavily mined area. As a result, 21 Soviet warships, including five destroyers, struck mines and sank. On 29 August, the Ju 88s accounted for the transport ships Vtoraya Pyatiletka (3,974 grt), Kalpaks (2,190 grt) and Leningradsovet (1,270 grt) sunk. Furthermore, the ships Ivan Papanin, Saule, Kazakhstan and the Serp i Molot were damaged. Some 5,000 Soviet soldiers were lost. KG 77 was largely withdrawn from Russia, although I./KG 77 continued to operate on the Eastern Front until July 1942, supporting German forces during Operation Seydlitz and the Second Battle of Kharkov. I./KG 77 was reformed as I./KG 6 on 31 August 1942, after the unit ceased operations over Great Britain. However I./KG 77 was reformed again on 10 September 1942. The Kampfgeschwader carried out operations in the Mediterranean and North Africa until June 1943, taking part in the Siege of Malta and the Second Battle of El Alamein. The unit also resisted the Allied invasion of Sicily, probably destroying the U.S. Liberty ship SS Robert Rowan on 11 July. KG 77 made constant night attacks against Allied Naval forces from 10 July - 25 August 1943. After retraining naval attack methods, the unit could now operate with effective torpedo methods. I./KG 77 operated from Salon in southern France from March - July 1944, attacking American convoys of the coast of Algeria. KG 77's primary responsibility was anti-shipping in the English Channel. Committed under the command of Luftflotte 3, KG 77 supported the German Army, although at night to avoid overwhelming Allied air superiority forces, until 1 September 1944 (Wikipedia) | |
KGR806 Country : Germany Fate : Kampfgruppe 806 from 11.39. On 1.9.42 redesignated III./KG54 Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of KGR806 | KGR806 Known as Kampfgruppe 806 from 11.39. On 1.9.42 redesignated III./KG54: Stab/KGr.806 became Stab III./KG54 1./KGr.806 became 7./KG54 2./KGr.806 became 8./KG54 3./KGr.806 became 9./KG54 commanded by Obstlt Wolfgang von Wild, 10.39 - 3.7.40 Obstlt Hans Emig, 4.41 - 28.6.41 Major Hartwig, 6.41 - 7.41 and Major Richard Linke, 7.41 - 9.42 22.10.39 - 12.39 Dievenow* He 60, He 114, He 111J ?12.39- 21.3.40 Uetersen** He 111J 21.3.40 - 5.4.40 Varelbusch** He 111J 5.4.40 - 7.40 Uetersen** He 111J, Ju 88A 7.40 - 11.9.40 Nantes Ju 88A 11.9.40 - 4.6.41 Caen-Carpiquet Ju 88A 4.6.41 - 8.41 Prowehren*** Fl. Fü. Ostsee Ju 88A 8.41 - 27.10.41 Riga Fl. Fü. Ostsee Ju 88A 27.10.41 - 11.41 Siwerskaja Ju 88A 11.41 - 12.41 Uetersen Ju 88A 12.41 - 1.9.42 Catania II. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A | |
LG1 Country : Germany Fate : was ordered to disband on 22 April 1945, but was overrun by Canadian Forces at Varel 26–28 April Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of LG1 | LG1 Lehrgeschwader 1 (LG 1) (Demonstration Wing 1) formerly Lehrgeschwader Greifswald was a Luftwaffe multi-purpose unit during World War II, operating fighter, bomber and dive-bomber Gruppen. The unit was formed in July 1936 and operated the Messerschmitt Bf 109, Messerschmitt Bf 110, Dornier Do 17, Heinkel He 111, Junkers Ju 88 and Junkers Ju 87. On 25/26 August 1939 the unit mobilised. Assigned to Luftflotte 2, the Geschwader suffered light losses. I.(Zerstörer)/LG 1 lost only three Bf 110s in September.[1] II./LG also took part. Operating He 111s the Gruppe began operations with 39 He 111s (34 operational), and struck at targets in and around Warsaw. The unit also undertook naval strike missions against Royal Navy vessels off the Norwegian coast on 6 October III./LG 1 also took part, committing 39 He 111s to the battle.[3] Exact losses are unknown, but light. IV.(Stuka) unit, also began its military operations over Poland. Equipped with the Ju 87 Stuka, the Gruppe supported the XI.Armee until withdrawn from operations on 29 September During the campaign, the unit was transferred to Luftflotte 1 I.(K)/LG 1 undertook some armed reconnaissance missions along the Norwegian coast in late April 1940, without suffering casualties. The unit reported three losses. Whether these losses were inflicted as a result of enemy action is unknown.[5] II./LG 1 undertook missions against Allied shipping. On 1 May 1940 the Norwegian hospital ship Dronning Maud was sunk by this unit. The Geschwader lost 55 aircraft in the battle for France, 50 of them in combat. LG 1 records reveal the unit claimed seven Allied ships sunk and 23 damaged, along with 19 Allied aircraft shot down in aerial combat. I.(K)/LG 1 began the campaign with 30 He 111s, of which 22 were combat ready. The Gruppe took part in the Battle of Dunkirk, and spent the majority of its time heavily engaged with Allied Naval forces. II./LG 1, operating under Luftflotte 2, was tasked with direct ground support, Air interdiction, and logistical strikes against the enemy. Operating with 18 of its 26 He 111s at the start of the campaign, it hit the French airfields at Lille on 10 May. On 12 May a raid against Vlissingen harbour cost II. Gruppe two Heinkels. The Gruppe also took part in the Battle of Hannut, attacking Allied positions in Belgium, losing one He 111. The unit were withdrawn from the front-line for five days to convert to the Ju 88. During further operations against Allied rail targets, a further loss, a single Ju 88, was sustained on 20 May in the Amiens area. II. Gruppe was tasked the missions against Naval forces until the end of the Dunkirk evacuation. Several missions against Ostend and Dunkirk's harbours were flown from 25–31 May. This particular unit also took part in Unternehmen Paula, a 1,000 aircraft assault on French airfields in and around Paris on 2 June 1940, without loss. Missions over the Loire Valley continued until 22 June 1940. III. Gruppe also participated . Committing 12 He 111s and 37 Ju 88s it supported II. Gruppe and its operations. IV.(Stuka)/LG 1 undertook ground attack operations with 37 Ju 87 Bs, without being involved in any notable actions. V.(Zerstorer)/LG 1's responsibility was escort duties. Equipped with 33 Bf 110 Ds, the unit lost 8 Bf 110s from 10 May to 16 June 1940, when it was withdrawn for rest and refitting. During the battle of Britain the squadron attacked on 15 August with 12 Ju 88As of I//LG 1 against RAF Middle Wallop destroyed several Spitfires, but the unit lost five aircraft to defending fighters. The Geschwader suffered a cripplingly high loss rate during the battle. From 8 July 1940 to December 1940, LG 1 lost 94 aircraft, and a further 13 were destroyed after returning with damage. LG 1 lost 119 crews and pilots killed, 102 missing and 36 captured. V. (Zerstörer)/LG 1 sustained particularly high losses, losing 25 Bf 110Cs between 4 July and 16 September. It was reduced to just 10 Bf 110s, but on 7 September 1940 it lost a further seven 110s, as a result the unit was withdrawn from operations. It was designated I.NJG 3 on 29 September. .(K)/LG 1 took part in the Balkan campaign. It sank the Allied transport vessels Ellenis on 20 April, in Piraeus harbour, and Pennland (16,000 grt) on 24 April. It continued anti-shipping missions throughout the remainder of the conflict. On 21 May 1941 the gruppe damaged the Royal Navy Leander-class HMS Ajax. During 22–27 May 1941, HMS Barham and HMS Warspite were damaged by LG 1s attacks. Notable actions of the Geschwader during the two-year stint in North Africa included I.(K)/LG 1s sinking of three large transport vessels Clan Campbell, Clan Chattan and Rowallan Castle from the convoy MW 9, during attacks on 13–14 February 1941. III./LG 1 also damaged the Australian destroyer Waterhen on 9 July 1941, and sinking it on 11 July. The Geschwader supported the Afrikakorps until 1942. Bombing raids were made the Suez Canal, Cairo during this time. On 11/12 May I.(K)/LG 1 led by Hauptmann Joachim Helbig were responsible for sinking HMS Kipling, HMS Jackal and HMS Lively in the Gulf of Sollum. The Geschwader also took part in the Siege of Malta during October 1942. IV.(Erg)/LG 1 and III./LG 1 (disbanded and reformed in May 1943) were based in Greece and Italy for the remainder of the war, striking at Allied Shipping. The units were bombed continually. Hangars and workshops that held vital spare parts were destroyed. The fuel crisis in July 1944 forced most of the two units to withdraw to Austria. On the Eastern Front Only III. Gruppe and IV.(Stuka)/LG 1 were the only Gruppen of the LG 1 to operate in the Soviet Union. III./LG 1 moved to Nikolayez in the Ukraine from 23–24 March 1942. The units took part in the Battle of Sevastopol and the Battle of Stalingrad. It also conducted anti-shipping missions against the Soviet Navy and Black Sea Fleet in the Crimea. IV. Gruppe operated the Ju 87 from northern Norway and Finland at the start of Operation Barbarossa. It flew a variety of ground attack missions, and anti-shipping missions around Murmansk. According to its records, the Gruppe lost 26 Stukas, 21 crews killed, seven missing, 6 wounded and three captured between 3 September 1940 and 27 January 1942. Later, just prior to the Battle of Berlin, the Geschwader took part in Operation Eisenhammer, striking at the Oder bridges to prevent their use by the Red Army. The Geschwader attempted to support the German Army in France. However, due to Allied air superiority it was restricted to flying at night. From 1 July 1944 to 31 August 1944 I.(K)/LG 1 lost 19 aircraft in the failed Normandy Campaign. The Gruppe also supported German forces during the Battle of the Bulge offensive. Operating at night to avoid Allied fighters, the unit attacked troop concentrations and marshalling yards in Belgium and France. On the night of 16/27 December 1944, the unit lost five Ju 88S-3s out of nine in a raid against Namur, Belgium.[18] The Gruppe was ordered to disband on 22 April 1945, but was overrun by Canadian Forces at Varel 26–28 April. II./LG 1 also lost 19 aircraft in these operations (Ref Wikipedia) | |
NJG2 Country : Germany Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of NJG2 | NJG2 I./NJG 2's initial role was unlike the other units of the Luftwaffe night fighter arm; as a Fernnachtjagd Gruppe they were tasked with long-range intruder missions over the UK, disrupting night flying training and harassing the returning Royal Air Force (RAF) bombers over their own airfields. Luftflotte 3's radio intercepts of Bomber Command's transmissions helped pinpoint the operational airfields in Eastern England. I./NJG 2 aircraft could then scramble to be over the airfields at the predicted times of the bomber's return. The technique employed was to mix with the returning bombers, orbit the bases, and either shoot down targets that presented themselves or drop 50 kilograms (110 lb) bombs across the runways Based at Gilze-Rijen in the Netherlands, operations commenced using just 7 JU 88 C-1 night fighters. Although most missions were carried out using the Junkers Ju 88C-1 and C-2, a few Dornier Do 215B-5 fighter conversions were trialled in the spring of 1941. The offensive over the UK yielded promising results- some 143 victory claims were made, and over 90 RAF aircraft were indeed lost between October 1940 and the start of 1942. There was also the additional disruption to RAF operations and the psychological effects on the RAF crews By October 1941 however night intruder sorties were curtailed, due to the inadequate number of aircraft available (I Gruppe never had more than 20 JU 88s operational) and the High Command's perceived lack of results; it was thought shooting down RAF bombers over the German homeland had a far greater morale effect than over the UK Among the most successful of the unit's pilots was Ufz. Heinz Strüning, who flew 66 intruder missions over England. He recorded his first night victory on 23/24 November - a RAF Vickers Wellington bomber and by the end of 1941 he had 9 victories. Leutnant Alfons Koster had, by October 1941, some 11 intruder victories. Lt. Hans Hahn was credited with 12 victories, all over England.[2] He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross In July 1941, but was killed in action in October 1941, colliding with an RAF Airspeed Oxford trainer he was trying to shoot down. II./NJG 2 flew more conventional operations at this time, based at Leeuwarden on the Dutch coast. In November 1941 4./NJG 2 moved to Catania, and would remain there until February 1942, when it transferred back to Leeuwarden and joined the rest of II./NJG 2. In November 1941 2./NJG 2 moved to Benghazi as part of Fliegerführer Afrika, and returned to Catania later in the month. The first 'kill' was claimed on 13 December, Obfw Sommer downing a Bristol Beaufighter over Crete. On 19 November 1941 the unit escorted Ju 88 bombers raiding shipping off Malta, Lt. Laufs shooting down a Hurricane of No. 126 Squadron. Early in 1942 both 2. and 3./NJG 2 was based at Benghazi until March 1942. Various demands for night cover meant from April onwards I./NJG 2 was scattered over the Mediterranean, with detachments based at Benina, Berca, Derna, Benghazi, El Quasaba and Crete. On 1 October, 7./NJG 2 was redesignated as 4./NJG 2. The unit's Leutnant Heinz Strüning was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 29 October for 24 victories. One of this unit's Ju 88G-1 night fighters, from the 7th Staffel, with Geschwaderkennung style aircraft code 4R+UR, was landed at RAF Woodbridge by mistake on July 13, 1944, giving the Allies their first chance to examine a working example of the VHF-band Lichtenstein SN-2 airborne intercept radar, and Flensburg radar detector gear. This event resulted in a longer-wavelength deployment of Window to jam the SN-2 gear, and general removal of the Monica tail warning radar from all RAF Bomber Command heavy bombers By the end of the year NJG 2 were covering the night defence of the industrial Ruhr area, flying from Düsseldorf, Kassel, Gütersloh, and Köln. In the final weeks of the conflict, the unit began receiving the night fighter variant of the Junkers Ju 388 - thus making NJG 2 the first and only Luftwaffe detachment to use the nachtjager variant operationally. It is likely these machines were 388J-0 pre-production prototypes, as the 388 programme was cancelled before manufacture of the J-1 production series had begun. Given the haphazard and incomplete conditions of training in those final days of war, and the almost total depletion of aviation fuel stocks throughout what remained of the Reich, it is doubtful whether more than a handful of combat missions were flown by this new type. NJG 2 claimed approximately 800 air victories during its period of operations. | |
NJG3 Country : Germany Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of NJG3 | NJG3 Nachtjagdgeschwader 3 (NJG 3) was a Luftwaffe night fighter-wing of World War II. NJG 3 was formed on 29 September 1941 in Stade from Stab./Zerstörergeschwader 26. 1./NJG3 operated in the Mediterranean area between Feb 1941 and Oct 1941 (Feb 1941 - May 1941 Sicily, Argos [X. Fliegerkorps]; May 1941 - Aug 1941 Benghazi [Fl. Fü. Afrika], Aug 1941 - Oct 1941 Derna [Fl. Fü. Afrika]). 2./NJG3 operated in the Smolensk area from Feb 1942 - Mar 1942 (Luftwaffenkommando Ost), and was stationed at Wittmundhafen Mar 1942 to Apr 1944 (1. NJ-Div., from May 1942 2. JD). 3./NJG3 was detached at Kastrup/Copenhagen, at least between Aug 1943 and Mar 1944 (2. JD). 4./NJG3 was detached at Westerland from Sep 1941 to 21 Jan 1944 (1. NJ-Div., from May 1942 2. JD). Another detachment operated from Mainz-Finthen in late 1941 (1. NJ-Div.). 7./NJG3 was detached at Lüneburg from Nov 1941 to Apr 1943, Kastrup/Copenhagen Apr 1943 to Nov 1943, and Nordholz Nov 1943 to Apr 1944. 8./NJG3 was detached at Lüneburg from Apr 1943 to Apr 1944. Other detachments were based at Ingolstadt and Wunstorf. (All under 1. NJ-Div., later 2. JD) Known aircraft that the squadron had shot down 31 December 1944: 1 Short Stirling , LJ 914 620 Sqn. Crew unknown. Near Lister (this is most likely by NJS Norwegen) 22 February 1945: 1 Short Stirling Mk IV. LK 566. 190 Sqn. Crew killed. Near Tvedestrand 25 February 1945: 1 Handley Page Halifax MK III. NA 103. 298 Sqn. Crew killed. Near Arendal 25 February 1945: 1 Short Stirling MK IV. LJ 925. 196 Sqn. 3 Bailed out, 3 killed. Near Arendal 30 March 1945: 1 Short Stirling MK IV. LK 119. 161 Sqn. Crew Killed. Near Tvedestrand 30 March 1945: 1 Short Stirling MK IV. LK 332. 299 Sqn. Crew Killed. Risör 30 March 1945: 1 Short Stirling MK IV. LJ 888. 196 Sqn. Crew Killed. Arendal | |
NJG5 Country : Germany Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of NJG5 | NJG5 Full profile not yet available. | |
Return to Aviation Directory Search Home
|
Contact Details |
Sign Up To Our Newsletter!
This website is owned by Cranston Fine Arts. Torwood House, Torwoodhill Road, Rhu, Helensburgh, Scotland, G848LE Contact: Tel: (+44) (0) 1436 820269. Email: cranstonorders -at- outlook.com
|
|
|
|