Behelfsbeleuchtungsstaffel 1
Behelfsbeleuchtungsstaffel 1
Formation. (Mar 44)
Formed March 1944 at either Celle/near Hannover in North Germany (ex-12./Fliegerzielgeschwader 1) or at Frankfurt/Rhein-Main and converted to Ju 88 A-5s either immediately before or directly after the re-designation. Celle was the Staffel’s permanent station before and after the time of formation, so the reference to Rhein-Main may be incorrect or perhaps the Staffel was only there for a few days. Assigned to 1. Jagddivision, Beh.Bel.St. 1 (Auxiliary Illuminating Squadron 1) was set up as part of the night defense forces to drop flares over the RAF bomber stream so the individual bombers could be more easily seen by the night fighter pilots and the Flak batteries on the ground. The Staffel’s area of operation was mainly Central Germany and the Berlin area. There is solid circumstantial evidence that Beh.Bel.St. 1 (as well as Beh.Bel.St. 2) were short-term expedients and after two or three months reverted back to their former designations. The Staffel was last identified at Celle on 25 May 44 and no further mention of it in the primary documents examined has been found after this date.[1]
© H.L. deZeng IV, 2024
See also
References
- ↑ G.Aders-History of the German Night Fighter Force:116; PRO London: AIR 40 Air Ministry A.I.3.(E) intelligence documents; BA-MA Freiburg: Signatur RL 40/Kart (“Aufmarsch die fliegende Verbände” order of battle map for 25 May 44).