KGr.z.b.V. 108
KGr. z.b.V. 108
Kampfgruppe z.b.V. 108
(Unit Code: 7U+)
Formation. (Mar 40)
Formed on or about 15 March 1940, possibly at Norderney seaplane base in the East Frisians off the northwest coast of Germany, as Kampfgruppe z.b.V. 108 See. According to some accounts (see B.Hafsten), it was ordered formed as Transportgeschwader z.b.V. 108 with three Gruppen (I., II. and III.) totaling 8 Staffeln with a 9. Staffel added later. First of all, the term “Transportgeschwader” was not in use by the Luftwaffe until spring 1943. Further, Hafsten and what other authors there may be, cite no documents to support this claim, even though the Hafsten account is detailed. Initially equipped with 14 He 59s, 13 Ju 52 floatplanes, BV 138A-1s, Ha 139s and Do 24s. The Gruppe was intended to be a provisional formation for use in the forthcoming occupation of Denmark and Norway (Operation Weserübung) that commenced on 9 April 1940.[1]
Occupation of Denmark and Norway. (Apr 40 - Jun 40)
9 Apr 40: at Hörnum and Rantum, both on Sylt Is., and Norderney under X. Fliegerkorps. During the campaign the Gruppe flew personnel and cargo into the fjords along the coast of Norway. For example, 1. Staffel flew frequent ammunition and supply flights from Norderney to northern Norway using Ju 52 floatplanes and 2 Ha 139Bs[2]
11 Apr 40: in operations from 9 through 11 April the Gruppe lost 1 Ju 52 floatplane and 2 He 59s destroyed while airlifting troops from Norderney to Stavanger and elements of Inf.Rgt. 159 to Bergen (on 9 Apr).[3]
15 Apr 40: 3 Ju 52 floatplanes reported lost on a flight between Trondheim and Bergen - no details.
15-30 Apr 40: 12 He 59s and crews were removed from the Gruppe during the second half of April and used to form the provisional Staffel Schwilden for the airborne assault on Holland on 10 May. The He 59s and crews, or at least some of them, are believed to have returned to KGr.z.b.V. 108 on or about 12 May.[4]
17 Apr 40: 3 or 4 He 59s destroyed at Stavanger-Sola (See) during shelling of the harbor and seaplane anchorage by Royal Navy cruiser Suffolk, all 100%.[5]
17 Apr 40: He 59 destroyed during enemy air raid on Bergen, 100%.
17 Apr 40: He 59 accidentally shot up by German Flak at Stavanger, 60% to 85%.
20 Apr 40: Ju 52 floatplane struck the ground while flying too low in the Trondheim area, 100%.
3 May 40: 7 He 59s destroyed on the water during bombing raid on Stavanger by RAF Blenheims and Whitleys, all 100%.
16 May 40: 2 BV 138s lost to enemy action in Norway, one of these being shot down by a destroyer, both 100%.
28 May 40: 2 Do 26s that were unloading 75 mm mountain guns at Rombaksfjord strafed by Hurricanes and sunk, both 100%.[6]
6 Jun 40: 3 He 59s lost at Trondheim to unknown causes (not enemy action) and another was reported lost at Stavanger when it was accidentally hit by an artillery round.
15-17 Jun 40: KGr.z.b.V. 108 ordered consolidated by Luftflotte 5 this date to consist of 1. Staffel (with 3 x Ju 52 (See), 8 x He 59 and 2 x Do 24 prototypes), and 2. Staffel (with 10 x Ju 52, 3 x Fw 200 and 1 x Ju 90).
Norway and North Finland. (Jun 40 - Apr 43)
15 Jul 40: ordered expanded to a full Gruppe this date with a Gruppenstab at Oslo-Fornebu (where it remained throughout its existence) and 4 Staffeln using assets taken primarily from KGr.z.b.V. 107. As part of the reorganization, 2. Staffel had acquired a number of Ju 90s and Fw 200s from the disbanded 4.(Sonderstaffel)/KGr.z.b.V. 107 on or around this date, but these were not retained for very long.[7]
2 Jan 41: 1. Staffel Ju 52 floatplane destroyed in a storm at Trondheim-Hommelvik, 100%.
Mar 41: Gruppe subordinated to Luftgaukommando Norwegen.[8]
15 Jun 41: 1. Staffel at Trondheim-Hommelvik with 8 to 10 Ju 52 floatplanes and 12 crews - transported mail and personnel to northern Norway and Finland with individual aircraft frequently assigned to other bases for various periods of time.[9]
25 Sep 41: Ju 52 floatplane damaged when it struck an obstacle at Kiel-Holtenau, 25%.
8 Oct 41: 1. Staffel Ju 52 floatplane hit the ground and crashed near Trondheim-Hommelvik, 80%, crew of 4 injured.
2 Nov 41: 1. Staffel Ju 52 floatplane crash landed at Trondheim-Hommelvik, 100%, crew of 4 injured.
24 Nov 41: under Luftgaukommando Norwegen with 1. Staffel (See), 2. Staffel, and 3. Staffel (Flugbereitschaft).[10]
30 Apr 42: Gruppenstab, 2. and 3. Staffel at Oslo-Fornebu with 40 Ju 52s, 1. Staffel (See) at Trondheim-Hommelvik with 6 Ju 52 floatplanes. The Gruppe’s 4. Staffel not listed but believed to be in North Finland.[11]
27 Sep 42: Ju 52 bombed on the ground at Banak, 100%.
31 Oct 42: Gruppenstab, 2. and 3. Staffel at Oslo-Fornebu with 26 Ju 52s, 1. Staffel (See) at Trondheim-Hommelvik with 10 Ju 52 floatplanes; 4. Staffel believed to be at Kemi/Finland with 9 Ju 52s.[12]
1 Nov 42: Ju 52 crash landed at Fp. Herdla due to engine failure, 25%.
5 Nov 42: Ju 52 (7U+FK) crashed and burned in the Norwegian mountains, 100%, 5 killed.
13 Nov 42: Ju 52 (7U+FH) reported missing on a flight between Aalborg (Ålborg) and Tromsø, 100%, 4 MIA.
26 Dec 42: Ju 52 crash landed at Fp. Kemi/Finland due to icing, 25%.
10 Jan 43: Gruppenstab and 1. – 3. Staffel unchanged from 31 Oct 42, 4. Staffel at Fp. Kemi/N Finland with 4 Ju 52s attached to Fliegerführer Nord.[13]
24 Feb 43: Ju 52 destroyed during a storm at Fp. Bodø, 100%.
25 Feb 43: Ju 52 flew into the ground SE of Banak in bad weather, 100%, 3 WIA.
1 Mar 43: Ju 52 floatplane damaged in a storm at Trondheim-Hommelvik, 25%.
13 Apr 43: Gruppe locations unchanged from 10 January.[14]
1 May 43: renamed Transportfliegergruppe 20.[15]
FpNs:Gruppenstab (L 36613, L 37749)
Kommandeur:
Obstlt.d.R. Otto Förster (c. 15 Mar 40 - 1941)
Obstlt. Axel, Freiherr von Jena ( ? - c. 12 Jan 42?) 1941
Obstlt. Adolf Scharfbier (Jul 41? - Jun 42) 7/41
Hptm./Maj. Erich Zähr (acting?) ( ? - ? ) 1942
Oberst Hans Löw (c. Jun 42 - 1 May 43)
Also see:
AMBERGER, Heinz, Lt. Pilot. WIA.
BAUMANN, Adolf, Hptm.(Tr.O.). Pilot. Stafü 2./KGr. z.b.V. 108, then Staka 3./KGr.z.b.V. 108.
BÖHNKE, Emil, Hptm. Passenger. Killed.
BRAUN, Herbert, Oblt.(Kr.O.).
DAUBLEBSKY, Franz, Maj. Pilot.
DOBBERTHIEN, ? , Lt.
DRECHSLER, ? , Maj.
DRÖSSLER, ? , Fl.Ob.Ing. Passenger. Injured.
FABEL, Theodor, Oblt.(Kr.O.).
FEHLING, Joachim, Hptm. MIA (POW).
GARMS, Hans, Hptm. Staka 9./KGr. z.b.V. 108.
HATTAN, Heinz (Heinz-Georg), Lt.
HOFFMANN, Werner, Oblt. KIA.
KEMPE, Friedrich-Karl, Oblt.d.R. Adjutant in Gruppenstab.
LEIBE, Hans, Oblt. Killed.
MODROW, Ernst-Wilhelm, Lt. Pilot. WIA.
RIEFFERT, Paul, Lt.(Kr.O.). Killed.
RUSTEMEYER, Ludwig, Hptm.(d.R./Ln.). Passenger. Injured.
SCHADLMEIER, ? , Hptm. Attached.
STEINLE, ? , Fl.Ob.Ing. Passenger. Injured.
WITTENAU, Sigfried Graf von, Oblt.z.See. WIA (POW).
© by Henry L. deZeng IV (Work in Progress, 2022).
(1st Draft 2022)
References
- ↑ B.Hafsten – “Kampfgeschwader z.b.V. 108” in Luftwaffe Verband Journal 2004/2005; W.Green-Warplanes of the Third Reich:409.
- ↑ C.Shores et al-Fledgling Eagles: The Complete Account of Air Operations During the ‘Phony War’ and Norwegian Campaign, 1940:216; W.Green-op cit:79; F.Morzik-German Air Force Airlift Operations:101.
- ↑ BA-MA Freiburg: RL 2 III Meldungen über Flugzeugunfälle…..(Loss Reports – LRs).
- ↑ J-P.Pallud-Blitzkrieg in the West Then and Now:120, 123-24; W.Green-Warplanes:276.
- ↑ C.Shores-op cit:271.
- ↑ C.Shores-op cit:334.
- ↑ Jet & Prop magazine, Heft (issue) 5/1992:21-22; G.Tessin-op cit.
- ↑ G.Tessin-op cit.
- ↑ AFHRA Maxwell: decimal 512.619 British AirMin CSDIC P/W Interrogation Reports in microfilm rolls A5415-18, interrogation CSDIC A.473.
- ↑ NARA WashDC: RG 242/T-312 roll 1033, frame 206).
- ↑ K.Maesel correspondence with H.L.deZeng based on BA-MA Freiburg RL 40/Kart OB charts and related documents.
- ↑ K.Maesel correspondence with H.L.deZeng based on BA-MA Freiburg RL 40/Kart OB charts and related documents.
- ↑ K.Maesel-op cit.
- ↑ K.Maesel-op cit; PRO London: AIR 40 Air Ministry intelligence documents.
- ↑ G.Tessin-op cit; N.Kannapin-Feldpostübersicht.
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