KGr.z.b.V. S-7
KGr.z.b.V. S-7
Kampfgruppe z.b.V. S-7
(Unit Code: ?)
also as: KGr. z.b.V. S.7
Formation. (Nov 42)
Formed on or about 9 November 1942 as part of KG z.b.V. "S" in response to the Allied invasion of North Africa and the German need to open a front in Tunisia. The Gruppe had a Gruppenstab and four Staffeln (1. – 4.). A few of the Ju 52s assigned to 3. Staffel came from KGr. z.b.V. 105 while the remainder bore factory codes and mainly came from various FFS C and BFS schools.[1]
Central Mediterranean. (Nov 42 - Jan 43)
Nov 42: transferred immediately to Reggio di Calabria/12 km SE of Messina and assigned to KG z.b.V "S" for airlift operations to Tunisia. Shortly after arrival it was reassigned to KG z.b.V. “N” without a change of station, retaining Reggio as its permanent base until it was disbanded, although most of its transport missions were staged through airfields in western Sicily.
12 Nov 42: Ju 52 force-landed in the sea off Trapani/W Sicily, 100%, crew safe.
13 Nov 42: Ju 52 (C6+AZ) reported missing on flight from Trapani to Tunis, 100%, 5 MIA. (Possibly an aircraft formerly belonging to KGr. z.b.V. 600).
14 Nov 42: Ju 52 shot down by an Allied fighter over Tunis, 100%, 1 WIA.
19 Nov 42: Ju 52 bombed on the ground at Fp. Gerbini, 100%.
24 Nov 42: Ju 52 shot down by fighters at Gabès (Qabes)/SE Tunisia, 100%, crew safe.
29 Nov 42: Ju 52 shot down by a U.S. destroyer at Darcharbanne (not located), 100%, 2 WIA.
2 Dec 42: 2 Ju 52s bombed on the ground during an Allied air attack on Fp. Tunis, both 100%, 1 WIA.
4 Dec 42: Ju 52 failed to return on a flight from Castel Benito to Trapani, 100%, 4 MIA.
7 Dec 42: 2 Ju 52s shot down by enemy fighters at Sfax (Safāqis)/E Tunisia, both 100%, 3 KIA and 4 WIA.
8 Dec 42: Ju 52 (WK+PY) FTR on flight from Castel Benito to Trapani, 100%, 4 MIA.[2]
22 Jan 43: Ju 52 bombed on the ground at Tunis, 95%, 2 KIA.
Jan 43: disbanded the last week of January, with most of its assets going to KGr. z.b.V. 400.
FpN:(none found)
Kommandeur:
Maj. Josef Grons (c. 9 Nov 42 - 11 Dec 42)
Maj. Herbert Heyer (12 Dec 42 - c. 31 Jan 43)
© by Henry L. deZeng IV (Work in Progress, 2022).
(1st Draft 2022)
References
- ↑ G.Tessin-Tes; F.Morzik-German Air Force Airlift Operations:132, 405; AFHRA Maxwell: decimal 512 (British Air Ministry) A.I.3(E) study of G.A.F. transport operations in the Mediterranean dated 10 May 1943; BA-MA Freiburg: RL 2 III Meldungen über Flugzeugunfälle…..(Loss Reports – LRs).
- ↑ Peter van Gogh identifies the stkz as VK+PY and not WK+PY and has the WNr. as 7405 - TOCH posting 8.9.22
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