KGr.z.b.V. Wittstock
KGr. z.b.V. Wittstock
Kampfgruppe z.b.V. Wittstock
(Unit Code: none assigned)
Formation. (Nov 42)
Formed 8-12 November 1942, probably at Wittstock/NW of Berlin, in response to the Allied landings in Morocco and Algeria (Operation “Torch”) and the immediate German decision to counter the invasion by shipping a large force to Tunisia. The Gruppe was provisional in nature (not to have an existence exceeding 6 months) and used Ju 52 transports taken from KGr.z.b.V. 9, 102, 106, 300 and 700. Organizationally, KGr.z.b.V. Wittstock had a Gruppenstab and four Staffeln (1. – 4).[1]
Italy and North Africa. (Nov 42 - Feb 43)
14 Nov 42: Ju 52 ran out of fuel and force landed at Munich-Riem, probably while en-route from Wittstock to Italy, 100%, 1 KIA and 3 WIA.[2]
18 Nov 42: Ju 52 shot up by a fighter and crashed near Benghazi/Libya and then demolished by the crew to prevent capture by the advancing enemy, 100%, 1 WIA.
21 Nov 42: Ju 52 shot down by a fighter over Tunis, 100%.
23 Nov 42: 3 Ju 52s destroyed on the ground at Tunis when struck by a landing aircraft, all 100%, 3 KIA.
25 Nov 42: Ju 52 (7V+CE) reported missing over the Mediterranean and believed to have run out of fuel, 100%, 2 KIA and 2 WIA.
28 Nov 42: Ju 52 shot down by a fighter near Bizerte, 100%, 1 KIA and 3 WIA.
28 Nov 42: Ju 52 bombed on the ground at Tunis during an Allied air attack, 100%.
30 Nov 42: initially based at Foggia on arrival in Italy, but later (Dec? Jan?) transferred to Capua/30 km NNW of Naples. However, nearly all of its flights to North Africa were staged through forward airfields on Sicily where the aircraft were refueled.[3]
2 Dec 42: 3 Ju 52s destroyed on the ground at Tunis during a low-level enemy attack, all 100%.
2 Dec 42: Ju 52 (7V+DH) reported missing between Tripoli and Trapani, 100%, 4 MIA.
3 Dec 42: Ju 52 crashed into the sea on flight from Naples to Tripoli due to engine failure, 100%, 4 KIA.
7 Dec 42: Ju 52 crash landed at Trapani and burned, 100%.
12 Dec 42: Ju 52 (1Z+DH) reported missing on flight from Naples to Tripoli, 100%, 4 MIA.
17 Dec 42: Ju 52 accidently shot down by Axis Flak at Trapani, 100%, crew of 4 and 1 Army passenger all KIA.
26 Dec 42: elements using Trapani (probably for staging).[4]
12 Jan 43: 2 Ju 52s bombed on the ground at Tunis, 65% and 60%.
22 Jan 43: 8 Ju 52s bombed on the ground at Tunis, 4 @ 100% and 4 @ 25% to 40%, 16 KIA and 15 WIA.
28 Jan 43: Ju 52 ran out of fuel and ditched in the sea east of Capri, 100%, crew rescued.
Feb 43: based at Capua and operating under Stab/KG z.b.V. “N”.[5]
12(?) Feb 43: Ju 52 (KC+RL) reported missing on flight from Gabes/Tunisia to Castel Vetrano/Sicily, 100%, 4 MIA.
1 Mar 43: Ju 52 crash landed at Tunis, 55%.
1 Mar 43: disbanded around this date with the remaining aircraft handed over to KGr.z.b.V. 106 and surplus personnel reassigned to KGr.z.b.V. 300 (the replacement Gruppe).[6]
FpN:Gruppenstab with 1. – 4. Staffel (L 49162)
Kommandeur:
Obstlt. Gustav Damm (DKG) (c. 9 Nov 42 - c. Jan 43?)
Hptm. Edgar Schwaneberg (R, DKG) (c. Jan 43? - c. 1 Mar 43?)
Also see:
BUCHMANN, (Hans?), Hptm. Staka 1./KGr.z.b.V. Wittstock.
BÜHNER, Walter, Oblt.d.R.
HORNUNG, Walter, Maj. (RK) Staka 4./KGr.z.b.V. Wittstock.
LAU, Dr. Adolf, Oblt. Staka 3./KGr.z.b.V. Wittstock.
LÖHE, Wolfgang, Lt.(Kr.O.).
SATTLER, ? , Oblt. WIA.
SCHULZE, Klaus, Maj. Staka in KGr.z.b.V. Wittstock.
© by Henry L. deZeng IV (Work in Progress, 2022).
(1st Draft 2022)
References
- ↑ PRO London: AIR 40/Air Ministry A.I.3(E) intelligence study of German Air Force transport formations in the Mediterranean theater, dated 10 May 1943.
- ↑ BA-MA Freiburg: RL 2 III Meldungen über Flugzeugunfälle…..(Loss Reports – LRs).
- ↑ Air Ministry study-op cit.
- ↑ LR evidence.
- ↑ NARA WashDC: RG 242/T-971 roll 33, frame 347.
- ↑ F.Morzik-German Air Force Airlift Operations:405.
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