Aufklärungsstaffel Kaatsch
Aufklärungsstaffel Kaatsch
Unit Code:
Formation
Formed o/a 24 August 1944, probably at Dijon/France, as a provisional tactical reconnaissance Staffel from elements of Jagdgruppe 200, particularly its 2.Staffel under a Leutnant Bell. Equipped with Bf 109Gs[1].
France
24.8.44: at Dijon. [2]
12.9.44: claimed a U.S. Piper (or Auster) artillery spotter 45 km S of Nancy at 0950 hours. (CLs).
12.9.44: reportedly in process of disbanding at Freiburg im Breisgau. [3]. More likely, orders probably issued to this effect but no action to disband had yet been taken.
28.9.44: flew an afternoon recce mission with 3 aircraft along roads in the Belfort-Lure area.[4]. This was the last entry for the Staffel and it was most likely disbanded a few days later.
FpN: Aufkl.St. Kaatsch (none found)
Staffelkapitän
Maj. Walter Kaatsch (8/44 —- 9/44)
[Major Walter Kaatsch was an Aufklärungsflieger who had been transferred to Aufklärungsgruppe 123 in France on 27 July 1943.] [5]
Also see:
BELL, Kurt, Lt.
SPIES, Theodor, Oblt.
Additional Notes and Losses
3.9.44: Luftflotte 3 Daily Report recorded that the Staffel would move from Dijon to Luzeuil.[6]
15.9.44: Confirmation that the Staffel was formed from elements of J.Gr. 200 – Luftflotte 3 Daily Report states that except for the elements with Aufklärungsstaffel Kaatch J.Gr. 200 will be disbanded.[7]
21.9.44: Luftflotte 3 Daily Report recorded that Aufkl.Gr. 123 would withdraw the Staffel from operations and disband it following the arrival of 2./NAGr. 13 in Freiburg.[8]
22.9.44: Luftflotte 3 Daily Report recorded that the Staffel had 4 aircraft on strength.[9]
© by Henry L. deZeng IV (Work in Progress, 2022).
(1st Draft 2022)
See Also
For a detailed study of Aufklärungsstaffel Kaatsch the reader is encouraged to visit Nick Beale's pages on Sonderstaffel Kaatsch rather than duplicate here what has already been covered in considerable detail.