DEFE 3/10
DEFE 3/10 covers the decryption period between 5th December 1943 and 9th December 1943– however, some information related to dates outside this period.
In the page below are some notes/summaries gleaned from the pages of DEFE 3/10 I hope that these are of assistance to any fellow researchers.
The link to DEFE 3/10 at the national archives is here.
To download the notes as a pdf document click here
Note the date of the event refers to a date in the message not necessarily the date of the message.
Flifue = FliegerFührer
Note –
- Number of pages refer to “GAF sightings” - these are for the most part not included in the summaries below as they do not refer to specific aircraft types or units.
- Flivos of Divisions are also not included below
- Code “Yoke” appears to refer to “Y” service.
| Page | Report | Date of event | Notes |
| 2-59 | VL1253 | 27/11/1943 | During operations by 4 Hs 126 on 27/11/1943 1 Do 17 with a soviet star on the tail unit was set on fire on a guerilla airfield 4 km NW of Glamoc. Investigations were initiated to determine whether it was an aircraft that had deserted. |
| 2-55 | VL1255 | 04/12/1943 | Orders evening 04/12/1943 for 05/12/1943: 2./125 with 5 aircraft to Leros at first light.
Sea rescue search and escort of 2 ASV with a S Boat in tow by Leros staffel. Comment – presumably 3./126 (see VL1110) |
| 2-53 | VL1256 | 04/12/1943 | 09.00 hrs Z on 04/12/1943 1 Ju 52 shot down by 2 Spitfires near Devoli airfield.
11.00 hrs Z 1 Ju 87 shot down north of Podgorica airfield. |
| 2-31 | VL1267 | 05/12/1943 | Luftwaffenkommando Süd-Ost report on 05/12/1943 included 2 Me 109 on photo reconnaissance Taranto harbour which was not carried out owing cloud. |
| 2-23 | VL1271 | 04/12/1943 | Aircraft serviceability evening 04/12/1943 for 05/12/1943.
Close reconnaissance kette Mostar, total 1 Hs 126, serviceable 0. Close Recce kette Butmir - 3 Hs 126 and 1. NSGr 7 Butmir 3 He 46 and 2. NAGr 12 Mostar – Stab – 4 Me 109 and 1, 3 at Devoli. 3 Fi 156 and 2, 1 at Devoli. 2./NAGr 12 -010 Me 109 and 4, 2 at Devoli, 2 Fi 156 and 1. 13./SG 151 Mostar 5 Ju 87 and 5. IV./JG 27 Mostar, Stab 2 Me 109 and 2. 10 Staffel 7 and 7. I./SG 3 20 Ju 87 of which 12 serviceable at Butmir, rest unserviceable. |
| 2-21 | VL1272 | 04/12/1943 | Luftwaffenkommando Süd-Ost pointed out on 04/12/1943 that transport and communications aircraft when flying into coastal area could if necessary be met by fighters stations in the area. Arrangements to this effect could be made with Fliegerführer Albania or Croatia. |
| 2-15 | VL1275 | 05/12/1943 | Evening 05/12/1943 intentions II Fliegerkorps for that night and 06/12/1943.
No night reconnaissance owing weather. By day sea reconnaissance of Tyrrenian with photo reconnaissance of airfields and harbours (fair indications Sardinia) and photo reconnaissance of two places (comment – not known here). Sea reconnaissance Adriatic with photo reconnaissance of a place (comment – not known here). All above dependent on weather, secondly same time intentions of Fliegerführer Luftflotte for 06/12/1943 were same as 05/12/1943. Thirdly, for 06/12/1943 intentions 2 Fliegerdivision, 1 Ju 88 security reconnaissance in morning west of 5 E to 38 N. 1 Ju 88 security reconnaissance late afternoon between 3 and 8 E as far as 40 N. Photo reconnaissance or visual reconnaissance of harbours on west and north west of Corsica. 2 Arados security reconnaissance and anti submarine patrol late afternoon along coast to Nice.. |
| 2-7 | VL1279 | 05/12/1943 | Total effort Fliegerführer Luftflotte on 05/12/1943:-
2 night ground attack in front of left wing of LXXVI Pz Kps, 46 fighter on escort for ground attack and free lance, 1 Me 109 missing, 8 fighters scrambled against 3 British aircraft of which all 3 claimed shot down. 2 aircraft on Met reconnaissance. |
| 1-537 | VL1287 | 05/12/1943 | Orders 05/12/1943. Flieegerführer Albania for night 5-6/12/1943 and 06/12/1943.
Photo reconnaissance harbours and airfields Apulia and engaging of Allied fighter and heavy fighter sweeps. Fliegerführer Croatia – main effort in support of Army against guerillas. |
| 1-531 | VL1290 | 05/12/1943 | Croatia orders 12.00 hrs Z 05/12/1943 for night 5-6/12/1943 and 06/12/1943: reconnaissance and photo reconnaissance within scope of focus and sturdy (?) |
| 1-529 | VL1291 | 05/12/1943 | X Fliegerkorps intentions for night 5-6/12/1943 and day 06/12/1943 at 22.00 hrs Z 05/12/1943.
Photo reconnaissance in order of priority East Sicilian coast; Port Said and Alexandria harbours; airfields in Aleppo area. Recce for large troop convoy according to agents report leaving Alexandria on 05/12/1943 or 06/12/1943 for south Italy. Night reconnaissance of landing grounds and dropping points for guerilla supply in area Salonica – Lake Conrida. Comment – incomplete. |
| 1-517 | VL1296 | 05/12/1943 | Further to VL1291, X Fliegerkorps intentions for night 5-6/12/1943 and day 06/12/1943
Probing, weather and offshore reconnaissance as on previous day. Battle intentions (comment – not known here). Secondly, intentions same time AOC GAF in Roumania, defensive tasks unchanged. |
| 1-505 | VL1302 | 05/12/1943 | According to advanced battle headquarters Mostar at 20.30 hrs Z 05/12/1943, fighter protection for Sturdy II on 06/12/1943 would be provided from 06.00 hrs Z. Continuous protection till darkness not possible.
Contrast VL1251. Secondly, no evidence to explain discrepancy. |
| 1-489 | VL1309 | 05/12/1943 | Midday 05/12/1943 2./125 had 9 aircraft of which 6 serviceable.
4 serviceable aircraft at Leros (comment – compare VL1255), 1 at Skaramanga. Total 11 crews of which 8 ready. |
| 1-463-469 | VL1317 | 05/12/1943 | Operations by Luftwaffenkommando Süd-Ost on 05/12/1943 included:
Recce – 1 Ju Met Tatoi – South and Southwest Peloponnese – Kastelli, in area 05.30 – 08.30 hrs Z. 1 Ju Met Kastelli – 3322, 2325 E – 3452, 2115 E- Tatoi in area 05.30 – 08.30 Hrs Z. 1 Ju sea area south of Rhodes as far as offshore Nile Delta – Castelorizo, in area 11.15 – 13.50 hrs Z. 1 Ju offshore Straits Otranto – Cape Spartivento in area 11.30 – 14.00 hrs Z. 1 Ju photo reconnaissance Castelorizo – Samos. Of NAGr 12, 2 Me 109 up 06.35 – 07.25 hrs Z photo reconnaissance Taranto and 2 Me 109 up 09.45 – 10.45 hrs Z photo reconnaissance Brindisi – both tasks broken off owing weather. 1 He 111 reconnaissance for Allied flare signals and guerilla dropping places in Central Greece. Escort - 3 Arados of Recce Gruppe 126 arrived Milos 15.10 hrs Z after convoy escort. 4 Me 109 of 11./JG 27 up 09.45 – 13.44 hrs Z escort with intermediate landings 10.44 – 13.15 hrs Z in Tirana. Fighters - 2 Me 109 up Kalamaki 08.45 – 10.00 hrs Z against Allied reconnaissance aircraft area Sunion – Kea. Croatian area: Stuka attack by 5 aircraft with fighter protection on wireless station and fuel depot on Lagosta. 1 Hs 126 armed reconnaissance Gromile (28 km NNE Sarajevo) 1 He 46 railway station Bugojno. 1 Hs 126 south of Plevlje. 2 Hs 126 NW of Sokalac. Free lance fighter patrol between Hvar and Miljet. Futher battle, stuka and reconnaissance operations not possible owing weather. Further sorties on 04/12/1943: Fliegerführer Croatia – 1 He 06.40 – 08.00 hrs Z road reconnaissance Sarajevo – Travnik – Turbe – Vakuf – Bugojno – Prozor. Fliegerführer Albania – 3 Me 109 of 8./ JG 27 up 09.10 – 09.40 hrs Z against Spitfies over Devoli. Secondly, I./SG 3 Mostar operated on 7 days in November with 204 sorties. |
| 1-447 | VL1325 | 04/12/1943 | GAF Stations Boccea on 04/12/1943 reported following data relating to a group of 3 airfields:
First airfield – 1500 x 300 m. Second airfield – 1000 x 250 m Third airfield – being surveyed. (Comment – figures may be intended runway dimensions.) About 20 km from “the airfield” large farm and countryhouse, accommodation for about 100 men. Secondly, same day 350 works personnel at Boccea. |
| 1-439 | VL1328 | 04/12/1943 | Of I./JG 4, 145 (strong indications ground) personnel at Foligno on 04/12/1943.
Comment – see VL1147, this gruppe addressed Viterbo on 03/12/1943. |
| 1-437 | VL1329 | 05/12/1943 | Evening 05/12/1943 firstly, intentions Fliegerführer Albania for 06/12/1943 were as for 05/12/1943 (comment see VL1250) without leaflet dropping.
Secondly, aircraft serviceability. 1./NAGr 12 – 6 serviceable of total 11. 13./SG 151 – nil of 4. 8./JG 27 – 3 of 5. I./LG 1 – 1 of 1. Adriatic Staffel – 1 of 1. Airfields – Podgorica closed for small aircraft and Me 109 owing soft ground. Others as on 05/12/1943. |
| 1-427 | VL1333 | 01/12/1943 | Berlin GAF appreciated that strong Fortress formations based on Tunisia attacked Turin on 01/12/1943 escorted by Lightnings probably provided from Sardinia. |
| 1-421 | VL1336 | 06/12/1943 | II Fliegerkorps intentions evening 06/12/1943 for same night and 07/12/1943: No night ops owing weather.
Day: reconnaissance of Tyrrenian and Adriatic with screening of sea area round (fair indications Corsica and Sardinia) including photo reconnaissance harbours and airfields of above two places. Secondly, evening intentions Fliegerführer Luftflotte for 07/12/1943 unchanged as on 06/12/1943, main effort ground attack operations before centre of XIV Pz Korps. |
| 1-413-4 | VL1339 | 05/12/1943 | On 05/12/1943 total operations of Luftwaffenkommando Süd-Ost (Some details of which in VL1317) 06/12/1943 night sorties comprising 11 reconnaissance, 2 fighters, 1 night reconnaissance, 26 transport and 11 miscellaneous.
Recce - 2 Ju 88 on Met and sea reconnaissance SSW Crete – Peloponnese. 1 Ju 88 on probing reconnaissance Alexandria – Cyprus. 1 Ju special task Turkey. 1 Ju offshore reconnaissance Italy, Spartivento – Otranto. 3 Me 110 reconnaissance of guerillas in area Central Greece. 2 Me 109 photo reconnaissance Taranto (not carried out). 1 Hs 126 area north of Sarajevo. Fighters - 2 Me 109 scramble from Kalamaki 08.45 – 10.00 hrs Z against Allied reconnaissance aircraft Sunion – Kea. No contact. Escort – 12 Ar sorties with 1 convoy. 26 Ju 52 transports area Greece – Crete – Aegean Islands – Corfu – Serbia. Miscellaneous - 9 Ar air-sea rescue escort and search west of Leros. 2 Mausis in Danube Delta without result.
10 Me 109 and 1 Ju 87 freelance patrol and support of army fighting guerillas Podgorica and Cetinje areas. Fighters 3 Me 109 scrambled from Devoli against 2 approaching Spitfires – no contact. |
| 1-399-401 | VL1344 | 03/12/1943 | According III./KG 76 on 03/12/1943 more than 200 aircraft on GAF Station Line – Hörsching. Details – 2 Gruppen Bomber Observer School. Research Institute for Gliding. Air Service Branch detachment (Comment – Target Towing). Captured aircraft of NSG 111.
Comment – not known if 111 is number of aircraft or number of Geschwader.
Comment – no subsequent information. |
| 1-391-3 | VL1346 | 06/12/1943 | Preliminary report of Allied attacks on 06/12/1943 according Luftwaffenkommando Süd-Ost .
10.35 hrs Z on Eleusis by 45 Liberators and 12 Lightnings in two waves, 5-6000 m. Approach via Paramythia – Lamia. Departure on reciprocal. Large number of fragmentation bombs dropped mostly outside the airfield and in some cases on the town of Eleusis. Damage – 1 Ju 88 destroyed, 1 Ju 88 about 75 %, 2 Ju 88 about 20 %. Temporary workshop hit, landing area not damaged airfield fully serviceable. 6 personnel killed, 10 wounded, 3 Italians killed, 5 wounded, 30 Greeks killed and wounded. Defence, 21 Me 109 scrambled 09.55 hrs Z, one overdue.
Damage – 2 Ju 88 under repair about 90 and 70% respectively. 1 Me 109 about 60%, 1 W34 about 50 %, 6 Me 109 about 20-30%. 2 Ju 88, 1 W34 and 1 He 111 about 20 %. In Siebel workshop, 1 Me 210 about 30 and 1 Me 110 about 5 %. 1 SM 82 and 1 Cant.(Both dismantled). |
| 1-387 | VL1348 | 05/12/1943 | According Berlin orders on 05/12/1943. 2./125 to be renamed 4./126 and 4./126 to be 2./125. Transfer of 2./125 to Luftflotte 4 in accordance with Luftwaffenkommando Süd-Ost orders on 04/12/1943 (Comment: these orders in VL1199.
Secondly, VL1206 therefore refers to the same order. |
| 1-375 | VL1351 | 06/12/1943 | Ops Fliegerfuhrer Luftflotte “KING” 17.00 hrs Z 06/12/1943: 15 fighters scramble against artillery spotters over centre of XIV Pz Korps, two aircraft Met Recce, no further ops owing weather. |
| 1-371 | VL1355 | 05/12/43 | Semlin, Agram and Skoplje available for night and bad weather landings in area Luftgau XXX according to information 05/12/1943. |
| 1-361 | VL1360 | 06/12/1943 | Photo reconnaissance on 06/12/1943, Brindisi not carried out owing weather. Guerilla airfield Argyroeastro carried out, unoccupied according visual. |
| 1-357 | VL1362 | 06/12/1943 | Evening 06/12/1943 intentions Fliegerdivision 2 for 07/12/1943.
Morning 1 Ju sea reconnaissance between 1 degree West and 5 degrees East as far as North African coast. Afternoon 1 Ju security reconnaissance between 4 and 8 degrees East as far as 40 degrees North. Arado security reconnaissance and anti-submarine patrol early morning and late afternoon along south French coast. |
| 1-349 | VL1366 | 06/12/1943 | Early 06/12/1943 III./JG 53 had 40 pilots ready out of 64. |
| 1-347 | VL1367 | 05/12/1943 | Late 05/12/1943 orders for 06/12/1943. Restoration of serviceability. For 07/12/1943 undertaking “Dragoon”. 9 aircraft to be serviceable at Leros. Possible transfer from Scaramanga envisaged. (Comment: In view of number of aircraft, presumably 3./126 and 2./125. see VL1255) |
| 1-333 | VL1373 | 06/12/1943 | Detachment I./KG 30 informed Fliegerkorps II at 20.00 hrs Z 06/12/1943 that Ravenna would be serviceable for emergency night landings on 07/12/1943.(Comment – not clear whether 6-7 or 7-8) |
| 1-307 | VL1382 | 07/12/1943 | Strong indications that no (repeat no) Luftwaffenkommando Süd-Ost bombers participated in Bari raid night 2-3rd. |
| 1-299-305 | VL1383 | 06/12/1943 | Operations Luftwaffenkommando Süd-Ost on 06/12/1943 totalled 119 sorties. Recce 13, Fighters 53, Bombers 9, Heavy Fighters 6, Escort 12, Miscellaneous 2, Transport 24.
Recce: 2 Ju Met Casos Straits direction Alexandria. Task resumed after break off engine trouble, in area 09.00 – 11.10 hrs Z. 1 Ju off Nile Delta and photo reconnaissance Castelorizo, in area 11.00 – 14.00 hrs Z. 1 Ju Met east of Crete. 1 Ju off shore Sidi Barrani 20.30 – 21.30 hrs Z broken off owing engine trouble. 1 Ju Otranto – Spartivento in area 10.15 – 14.20 hrs Z. 1 He 111 reconnaissance night 5-6th for flare signals and guerilla dropping places central Greece. Isolated oil fires and flare signals established. 1 Hs 126 north of Sarajevo. 2 Me 109 photo reconnaissance Brindisi not carried out. 2 Me 109 photo reconnaissance Guerilla airfield Argyrokastro. 1 Fi 156 photo reconnaissance Navrovo (north of Debar). Bombers: 3 Hs 126 area Sarajevo. 1 Hs 126 area Sokolac. 1 Ju 87 area Tonislavgrad. Fighters: 37 Me 109 up Kalamaki. Of these, 2 up 08.20 – 10.00 hrs Z against reconnaissance aircraft Kea area. 21 up 10.00 hrs Z, 9 up 11.30 hrs Z against Allied formations Athens area. 1 Me 109 lost. 10 Me 109 up Podgorica. Of these 4 up 09.00 hrs Z, 4 up 11.30 hrs z Zgainst Allied formations. 2 up 15.00 hrs Z against Allied reconnaissance aircraft. 6 Me 109 freejagd Dubrovnik – Metkovic. 1 Me 109 forced landing near Metkovic. Heavy Fighters: 6 Ju in afternoon Milos – Leros. Escort: 8 Arados with 2 convoys. 2 Me 109 air transports. Miscellaneous: 2 Ju minesweeping SW Cernavoda. Transports: 21 Ju , 2 He 111 (one with glider), 1 Bv 138 Greece- Aegean – Crete – Vienna. Secondly, at 19.15 hrs Z on 06/12/1943 in 4047, 2205E 1 dropping point recognised consisting of single row of lamps, probably oil lamps (comment by Charlie, this paragraph not to be passed to units in the field). |
| 1-289-291 | VL1385 | 05/12/1943 | Recce effort Fliegerdivision 2 included on 05/12/1943 of 1.(F)/33, one aircraft up 06.15 Hrs Z, one due up 10.00 hrs Z. One Ju up 11.00 – 15.00 hrs Z.
Approximate route 4307, 0445 E – 4207, 0745 E – 4007, 0745 E – 4022, 0315E. Two Arados 13.30 – 16.00 hrs Z security reconnaissance along coast to Nice. On 06/12/1943 One Ju 06.30 – 12.20 hrs Z approximate route 4107, 0445E – 4107, 0215E – 3952, 0045E – 3837, 0015E – 3807, 0445E – 3952, 0115E. 1 Ju 11.30 – 16.15 Hrs Z approximate route 4252, 0615E – 4307, 0715E – 4007, 0745E – 4107, 0315E – 4307, 0445E. 8 Arados 09.30 – 16.15 hrs Z A/S patrol south of Cannes. All aircraft of 1.(F)/33 had landed by 16.30 hrs Z. Other reconnaissance on 06/12/1943 included one Ju. |
| 1-237 | VL1404 | 07/12/1943 | Ground attack aircraft of Flifue Luftflotte 2 to be at readiness from 07.00 hrs Z on 08/12/1943. Intentions of Flifue unchanged for 08/12/1943, as on 07/12/1943. |
| 1-235 | VL1405 | 07/12/1943 | Bulgarian Do 17 staffel arrived Kraljevo on 03/12/1943 with 12 aircraft. |
| 1-225 | VL1409 | 07/12/1943 | Photo reconnaissance 13.30 – 13.40 hrs Z 07/12/1943 revealed according to preliminary interpretation – Derna Harbour no shipping. Airfields Derna; Derna South and Bomba no aircraft. |
| 1-211 | VL1416 | 08/12/1943 | Of III./KG 76 on 03/12/1943 20 Ju 88 serviceable out of 22 on airfield.
On 05/12/1943 21 serviceable out of 23. Known that on 26/11/1943 a formation of III./KG 76 was flying over Hoeksching. Comment for occupation of airfield given by III./KG 76 on 03/12/1943 see VL1345. |
| 1-207 | VL1418 | 07/12/1943 | Airfield Ravenna serviceable for emergency night landing on 08/12/1943 according information 19.00 hrs Z 07/12/1943.
Comment – VL1373 to see. |
| 1-205 | VL1419 | 07/12/1943 | Recce intentions Fliegerkorps 2 21.00 hrs Z 07/12/1943 for 08/12/1943 by night, offshore screening of both coasts and screening for naval undertaking (Comment – VL1413 may refer, compare also VL1401) by day, reconnaissance of Tyrrhenian Sea. Weather permitting, photo reconnaissance of (fair indications Bari) and airfields of Foggia. Recce of Corsica and Sardinia, including photo reconnaissance of airfields and harbours with priority according weather. |
| 1-187 - 191 | VL1423 | 07/12/1943 | On 07/12/1943. Total report of Flifue Luftflotte 2.
No ops by Ground attack owing weather and conditions airfields. 24 Fighter sorties freelance over centre of XIV Pz Korps and attacks on artillery spotters. 3 Me 109s lost on return flight in surprise attack by Spitfires. 16 fighters scrambled against a 4-engined bomber formation with fighter protection attacking Civita Vecchia. 2 Me 109 defensive patrol Viterbo – Rome. 10 sorties on visual and Met reconnaissance in front of centre of XIV Pz Korps and left wing of LXXVI Pz Korps. During this operation one Me 109 missing after air battle with 8 Spitfires. Photo reconnaissance could not be carried out owing weather. Recce sorties included one aircraft from 14.40 to 15.00 hrs Z offshore Pescara – Termoli and one aircraft reconnaissance sea area off Pescara Civitanova landed by 17.30 hrs Z. Fliegerkorps 2 effort included 1 Ju 88 from 07.15 to 11.00 hrs Z reconnaissance Tyrrhenian Sea returning to Perugia. 1 Ju 88 sea reconnaissance Adriatic from 08.15 to 11.30 hrs Z from Perugia landing Perugia, flying height 30 ft. 1 aircraft on reconnaissance route south coast of Elba, Bastia, Calvi, over central Corsica westwards to mainland landing before 11.15 hrs Z. 1 Ju offshore reconnaissance sSardinia up before 10.45 hrs Z, down by 13.30 hrs Z. Fliegerdivision 2 effort included 1 aircraft of 1.(F)/33 due up 11.30 hrs Z. 1 Ju 88 up 07.30 hrs Z route South of Majorca and Ibiza, north of Tenes to north of Delis, Minorca, landing 12.45 hrs Z 2 Ar 196 from 07.00 to 10.00 hrs Z security reconnaissance and anti-submarine patrol of coastal area as far as Cannes. |
| 1-185 | VL1424 | 07/12/1943 | Guidonia mentioned on 07/12/1943 by GAF station Marcigliana in connection with II./SG 4. Comment presumably II./SG 4 last noted at Guidonia on 24/10/1943.Littorio and quarters at Rome also mentioned(fair evidence in connection with II./SG 4).
Comment – It therefore appears probable that transfer of 6 aircraft of II./SG 4 to Littoria mentioned in JP9711 was really to Rome – Littorio. |
| 1-153 | VL1435 | 06/12/1943 | Transfer of 2./196 to Pola Pontisella requested on 06/12/1943, as since cancellation of move of reconnaissance staffel (see VL1348) this unit alone provided air escort for convoys. |
| 1-147-9 | VL1437 | 07/12/1943 | Intentions Flifue Albania late 07/12/1943 for 08/12/1943.
Photo reconnaissance Taranto, Brindisi, Grottaglie, Bari, Gicia, San Vito, Lecce, Leverano, Mandoria, Pancrazio and Guerilla airfield Flevlja. Recce to support army if necessary. Fighters at readiness against Allied raids. Shadowing aircraft at 5 minute readiness from09.00 – 13.00 hrs Z. Serviceability same time. 1./NAGr 12, 5 serviceable out of 7. 13./SG 151 none serviceable out of 4, 8./JG 27 4 out of 6, 11./JG 27 2 out of 5, I./LG 1 - 1 and 1, Adriatic Staffel 1 and 1,. Airfields – Tirana and Podgorica soft ground, Devoli only runway. Shijak closed to all classes. Secondly orders to Flifue Albania late 07/12/1943 for 08/12/1943 were engagement of Allied fighter and heavy fighter sweeps. |
| 1-135 | VL1442 | 08/12/1943 | Airasca and Casina Vaga closed morning 08/12/1943 for certain classes owing soft ground. |
| 1-113-117 | VL1451 | 07/12/1943 | 102 sorties By Luftwaffenkommando Süd-Ost on 07/12/1943 comprising 19 Recce, 30 Bombers, 9 Fighters,
18 escort, 14 Transport, 12 Various, one aircraft lost. Some details 2 Ju 88 Sea reconnaissance in direction of Cyprus, Four Me 109 photo reconnaissance Derna - Bomba (off which 2 over airfields 13.30 – 13.45 hrs Z). One Ju 88 Offshore Otranto - Spartivento in area 13.10 – 14.10 Hrs Z. One Ju south of Crete as far as 3327, 2205 E to 3412, 2335 E in area 04.15 – 06.30 hrs Z. 1 Ju 2 south east of Rhodes in area 11.20 – 13.45 hrs Z. 2 Me 109 photo reconnaissance Brindisi and Lecce not carried out. Three Hs 126 area Clovo, 1 Hs 126 area Visegrad and 1 area Sokolac, one area Travnik, 1 He 46 area Rogatiga, 1 Fi 156 west of Metrovic.
Support of army by one Ju 88 and 3 Me 109 in area west of Podgorica, four Hs 126 south of Sarajevo, 7 He 46 south east of Agram, 10 Do 17 and 1 Ju 87 on road Plevlja – Savnik. Fighters – 3 Me 109 scrambled from Devoli 09.20 – 10.10 hrs Z, 6 from Mostar 07.45 – 14.45 hrs Z patrol of Lagosta.
|
| 1-83 | VL1463 | 07/12/1943 | Result photo reconnaissance between 22.30 – 22.40 hrs Z 07/12/1943. In outer harbour, Limassol (Cyprus) 1 vessel thought to be a Cargo Vessel, about 120 metres long.
2 Units thought ot be naval craft about (strong indications) 80 metres long. Airfields Kolossi, Larnaka, Limassol first, no aircraft could be observed. |
| 1-71 | VL1470 | 05/12/1943 | Orders by Luftwaffenkommando Süd-Ost afternoon 05/12/1943.
Koflug 7/VI (Comment at Agrinion 08/11/1943) to transfer with greatest speed to Tirana to relieve Koflug 1/IV. Latter to be withdrawn from operations and to transfer to Serbo-Croatian area, to be subordinated to Feld Luftgau 30 but not to be employed. Further orders affecting it to follow: previous area of 7/VI to be divided between 5/IV (Comment – Athens) and 11/IV (Comment – Salonika). 7/VI at Tirana to be subordinated to Flifue Albania, as was 1/IV. |
| 1-67 | VL1472 | 01/12/1943 | Fighter Control Post Centre at Piacenza on 01/12/1943. Comment – At Bologna 03/11/1943. |
| 1-51 | VL1479 | 07/12/1943 | Strength on 07/12/1943 of 4./126 (Comment former 2./125): 9 Arado 8 of which serviceable. 11 crews, 9 ready. 5 of them at Leros. In November no ops of this staffel broken off owing technical trouble.
Secondly, aircraft of “2/125” were to transfer back from Leros on 08/12/1943 (Comment – almost certainly to Suda) according orders late 07/12/1943. 3 of them first to escort a convoy proceeding Piraeus, after which to refuel Milos. Remainder to transfer direct. Comment – compare also VL1255. |
| 1-35 | VL1487 | 09/12/1943 | Ravenna airfield reported serviceable only for emergency night landings on 09/12/1943 owing softened ground.
Comment – serviceability also reported for 07/12/1943 and 08/12/1943 in VL1373, VL1418. |
| 1-27 | VL1490 | 08/12/1943 | At 21.00 hrs Z 08/12/1943, intentions Flifue Luftflotte for 09/12/1943 were unchanged as for 08/12/1943, plus a ground attack operation in front of left wing of LXXVI Pz Korps. |
| 1-15 | VL1494 | 05/12/1943 | Rimini detachment (Comment – first mention) of (Strong indications) I.KG 76 ordered early 05/12/1943 to transfer early 05/12/1943 to Codroipo by road. Comment Codroipo near Basiliano. JP9030 gave I./KG 76 or elements thereof at Basiliano on 04/11/1943. |
| 1-7 | VL1498 | 08/12/1943 | Intentions for 09/12/1943 of Fliegerkorps II were unchanged as for 08/12/1943 at 21.00 hrs Z 08/12/1943, with ground attack operation in front of left wing of LXXVI Pz Korps. Comment VL 1490 compare. |