DEFE 3/8

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DEFE3 8 covers the decryption period between 28th November 1943 and 2nd December 1943 – however, some information related to dates outside this period.

The link to DEFE 3/8 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 –


  1. 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.
  2. Flivos of Divisions are also not included below
  3. Code “Yoke” appears to refer to “Y” service.
  4. Times are direct from the message i.e. Zulu time.




Page Report Date of event Notes
625 VL755 28/11/43 Unchanged were intentions Fliegerführer Luftflotte evening 28/11/43 for 29/11/43. Comment - VL680 relevant.
617 VL759 28/11/43 III./JG 53 had 52 pilots ready out of 66 on 28/11/43.
603 VL766 28/11/43 Reconnaissance intentions II Fliegerkorps 19.00 hrs Z 28/11/43.

Nights 28-29/11/43 – screening for German Naval undertaking (Comment – to be called Sidestep, German Haifisch. Details not known.) and off shore reconnaissance east and west.

Day 29/11/43 – screening east and west coast. Photo reconnaissance Foggia, Termoli and three objectives (comment – not known). Sea reconnaissance (comment – not known.)

599 VL768 28/11/43 Evening 28/11/43 Luftwaffenkommando Süd-Ost considered that there continued to be signs of a transfer to Apulia or Foggia area of Allied air units supplying guerillas.

Secondly, at 09.30 hrs Z 28/11/43 Yoke established a formation flying out over Adriatic in direction of Austria. Resulting preliminary warning arrived Vienna 1 hour before the formation flew into Austria.

595 VL770 28/11/43 At 18.00 hrs Z 28/11/43 reconnaissance intentions Fliegerdivision 2 for 29/11/43.

Morning one Ju 88 west of 05 E to 38N.

1 Ju 88 photo reconnaissance Algiers given suitable weather.

Late afternoon 1 Ju 88 security reconnaissance between 03 and 08E to 40N.

If weather suitable photo reconnaissance, or visual reconnaissance harbours west coast Corsica.

1 rotte security reconnaissance and antisubmarine patrol late afternoon to Nice and back.

573-7 VL776 28/11/43 Western Mediterranean effort 28/11/43 included:

(able) Fliegerführer, 13 Fw 190 attacked m/t in H3897, H3796, 08.00 – 08.45 hrs Z.

9 Fw 190 attacked m/t in area H3697 - 3997 - 3295 - 3093 from 11.00-12.00 hrs Z.

(baker) other aircraft Lutflotte 2 area. 1 aircraft reconnaissance Tyrrhenian in area 40 - 42 by 11 - 12E, 39 - 41 by 12 - 13E, 39 - 40 by 13 - 14E and 39 by 10 - 11E, 07 – 10.30 Hrs Z.

One aircraft on route 4257, 0905E - 4302, 0855E - 4242, 0855E - 4252, 0915E - 4317, 0935E – 4102, 1255E - 4047, 1325E - 4212, 1105E, 20.30 – 00.30 on 28/11/43.


One Me 410 offshore Cap Linaro - Ischia, 07.00 – 08.00 hrs Z, flying height 30 feet. 1 aircraft sea reconnaissance round Corsica from 4142,0935E to 4217, 0815E, 07.00 – 09.15 hrs Z. Off shore Cap Penna – Bari, 07.00 – 09.15 hrs Z.


(Charlie) Fliegerdivision 2 - Of 1.(F)/33, one aircraft due up 08.00 hrs Z, one of same unit 10.45 – 15.45 hrs Z on approximate route 4307, 0445E - 4222, 0615E - 4252, 0745E - 4237, 0815E - 4222, 0745E - 4152, 0815E - 4137, 0615E - 4052, 0715E - 4007, 0715E - 4137, 0615E - 4007, 0515E - 3952, 0415E - 4137, 0345E.

545 VL788 28/11/43 Total ops Fliegerführer Luftflotte 2 on 28/11/43, 29 Fw 190, 60 fighters on escort and freelance patrol over 65 ID. 6 reconnaissance consisting of three rotten in front of 65 ID of which one broke off owing fighter defence - comment VL776 gave some details. 2 Me 109 and (fair indications 2) Fw 190 lost.
525 VL795 26/11/43 On 26/11/43 a Freya shortly leaving Germany for operational site at Himara. Comment - preparations made 31/10/43 to reconnoitre radar position near Himara on Albanian coast between Valona and Corfu. JP9214 refers.
523 VL796 29/11/43 Comment to VL510 in second sentence please delete following words inserted by error :”including one rotte of II./JG 77 in afternoon”. Please insert them under (baker) after “other aircraft in Luftflotte 2 area“. Note to LM, this as a result of GAD/LM 45
511-513 VL799 28/11/43 Total effort Luftwaffenkommando Süd-Ost 28/11/43 58 sorties comprising 15 reconnaissance, 4 fighters, 13 escort, 24

transport, 2 miscellaneous.

Reconnaissance: 2 Ju on south east screening and Turkish reconnaissance, 1 aircraft from 05.00 – 07.30 hrs Z. two

Me 109 photo reconnaissance Tobruk at 09.15 hrs Z, one Ju Met reconnaissance south west Peloponnese from 04.00 – 07.00 hrs, one Ju offshore Spartivento to Otranto from 12.00 to 14.00 hrs Z,

Four Me photo reconnaissance Brindisi at 13.30 hrs, two Me photo reconnaissance Bari (broken off). One Me photo reconnaissance Plevlje, two Me photo reconnaissance Termoli

Fighters, four Me scrambled from Skoplje without contact.

Escort, seven Ar with two convoys, six Ar with air transports.

Transport, 23 Ju 52 and one Ar in areas Greece, Crete and Aegean.

Miscellaneous, two Ju 52 Mausi in Heraklion outer harbour without result.

Supplementary, one Hs 126 reconnaissance in Zara £ zara area on 26/11/43, 11 Ar with one convoy on 27/11/43, no night operations 28-29/11/43.

485 VL812 29/11/43 At 18.00 hrs Z 29/11/43, intentions Fliegerführer Luftflotte 2 for 30/11/43 were unchanged, as for 29/11/43. Comment see VL755.

Intentions now unchanged since 26/11/43, VL598.

481 VL814 29/11/43 Airfield Grosseto closed all classes 11.30 hrs Z 29/11/43 owing UXBs and craters following attack 10.45 hrs Z by 73 bombers. All trunk lines destroyed in town area.
465 VL822


29/11/43 20.30 hrs Z 29/11/43 reconnaissance intentions Fliegerkorps 2 for 30/11/43.

Sea reconnaissance two areas (comment – unidentified) , photo reconnaissance of three harbours, reconnaissance Tyrrhenian Sea and west and east coasts with photo reconnaissance of (fair indications Naples). Main effort: Termoli, photo reconnaissance Termoli Harbour and Foggia.

457 VL824


28/11/43 Following addressed at Mostar afternoon 28/11/43, NAGr 12, 13./SG 151, I./SG 3, (Comment last unit addressed Megara ON 08/10/43, See JP6671) Secondly “Advanced battle headquarters” reported following serviceability to Fliegerführer Croatia 8 CROATIA evening 28/11/43 – NAGr 12 7 Me 109 and 3 Fi 156. I./SG 3 19 aircraft serviceable.


447 VL828


28/11/43 Included in Albania strength return late 28/11/43 1./NAGr 12, 7 serviceable aircraft out of 13, 11 crews ready

of 17. 13./SG 151, 5 and 1, 7 and 4. 11./JG 27 (comment no figures available here. This staffel new to Albanian return. VL582 personnel to remain Podgorica for servicing 8t aircraft, may refer).

Secondly, Ops orders Fliegerführer Albania for 29/11/43 included readiness of 1./LG 1 for shadowing tasks.

415 VL841


30/11/43 Air escort to be provided from 06.00 hrs Z 30/11/43 for GA 54 see VL830, which is not to leave until air escort arrives.
403 VL845


29/11/43 Photo reconnaissance tasks Fliegerführer Albania afternoon 29/11/43 for night 29-30/11/43 and 30/11/43, in order of urgency (able) Bari and Taranto harbours and Manduria and Gicia del Colle airfields, in so far not carried out on 29/11/43. (baker) other airfields in Apulia on which four engined aicraft may be stationed.
395 VL849


29/11/43 Transfer of 6 Me 109 of III./JG 27 to Devoli arranged by Luftwaffenkommando Süd-Ost on 29/11/43. subordination to Fliegerführer Albania.
393 VL850


29/11/43 Intentions Fliegerdivision 2 evening 29/11/43 for 30/11/43. one Ju 88 morning reconnaissance sea area of 5º East up to 38º North. 1 Ju 88 security reconnaissance late afternoon between 3º and 8º East up to 40º North. If weather favourable, photo and/or visual of harbours west coast Corsica. close escort for merchant ships.
375 VL859


29/11/43 Information 09.30 hrs Z 29/11/43: Damaged at Mostar by 7 Spitfires In 2 waves (Comment time of attack not known) 1 Ju 87 on alternative airfield, 4 Ju 87 on dispersal airfields, One Hs 126 and 2 Me 109 including 1 severely...
363 VL865


29/11/43 Evening 28/11/43 NSGr 7 Agram and Recce Staffel Lucko were informed that Zara detachment had 1 Hs 126 and 3 He 46 serviceable, 1 He 46 unserviceable.
351 VL869


29/11/43 I./JG 77 under Fliegerführer Luftflotte on 29/11/43.
345 VL871


29/11/43 Destruction of Gruda airfield had been ordered by Luftwaffenkommando Süd-Ost 29/11/43 hangars, barracks and

other buildings were to be offered to local army headquarters, army would be responsible for eventual destruction of anything taken over, remainder to be destroyed forthwith.

319-323 VL873


29/11/43 Included in effort Luftwaffenkommando Süd-Ost on 29/11/43 (able) By 15.00 hrs Z, reconnaissance: 1 Ju 88 Met SW Peloponnese in area 05.15 – 09.00 hrs Z, 2 Me 109 photo reconnaissance Bari.

Bombers: 12 Ju 87 attack on guerilla HQ Vissoka (south of Ajion in 3812, 2235). Bombs dropped 5.4 tons.

Fighters: 2 Me 109 scramble from Kalamaki at 08.00 hrs Z against Allied reconnaissance aircraft in sea area Kythnos - Kos. 4 Me 109 from Kalamaki at 11.50 hrs Z against Allied aircraft reported in sea area Milos, 4 Me 109 Coastal

Patrol Albania, mouth of Semeni to Kotor

(baker) Other sorties, Sea reconnaissance Tatoi - 3557, 2725E - 3332, 2835E – 3332, 2945E Castelorizo.

1 Ju 88 in area 10.00 to 12.45 hrs Z, offshore area Otranto Straits - Cape Spartivento. 1 Ju 88 in area 13.20 – 14.50 hrs Z.

Secondly, Operations Zara detachment on 28/11/43 (comment, for strength this unit see VL865). One Hs 126, 09.00 – 09.40 hrs Z armed reconnaissance over island area, one He 46 10.10 – 11.30 hrs Z, South East. Three He 46 12.10 – 13.05 hrs Z bombing attack on islands Ist and Molat, 35 km North West Zara. 2 sailing vessels of 3-500 tons sunk

by Hs 126, 2 of 2-300 tons by He 46, one damaged.

313 VL876


29/11/43 Strength 29/11/43 (strong indications 3./196?): 11 Ar 196 of which 6 serviceable at Leros. 12 crews of which 9 ready. 2 ready crews detached to (slight indications) Skaramanga. Comment – Compare VL654 for elements this staffel at Leros on 26/11/43.
311 VL877


29/11/43 Orders by Fliegerführer Luftflotte 2 for 30/11/43 at 18.30 hrs Z 29/11/43. Support with all available resources of defensive battle of 10 Army in area of 65 Div.

II./SG 4, I.JG 53, I./JG 77 and reconnaissance aircraft, operations as on 29/11/43.

303-7 VL879


29/11/43 Effort 29/11/43 Western Med included: One aircraft of 1(F)./33 due evening 28/11/43 to take off at 04.15 hrs Z.

1 Ju 88 Sea reconnaissance up 04.15 - 08.35 hrs Z. (Comment almost certainly same as above,). Route: 3952, 0415 East - 3722, 0315 East - 3952, 0715 East - 4007, 0415 East - 3952, 0415 East. At Unspecified Time Before 03.00 hrs Z. Reconnaissance aircraft reported no sightings in sea area and off sea area Cape Licosa in direction Stromboli, and Gulf of Manfredonia or In sea area round Termoli., At unspecified time before 09.30 hrs Z 1 Ju 88 with

marking of 1.(F)/123 broke off task in 4252, 1515 East and landed in Jesi.


Sea reconnaissance Corsica including Straits Of Bonifacio and Sardinia by unspecified aircraft 07.10 – 13.30 hrs Z.

1 Me 410, 11.00- 12 hrs Z Ancona - 4337, 1445 East – 4202, 1455 East - 4237, 1505 East - 4337, 1445 East – Ancona.

1 Ju security reconnaissance from 11.00 – 15.15 hrs Z between 03 and 08 E as far as 40 N including Porto and Ajaccio

harbours.

2 Ar 196 security reconnaissance and anti submarine patrol as far as Nice and return, from 13.15 – 16.15 hrs Z. All aircraft of 1.(F)/33 down by 16.30 hrs Z.

301 VL880 29/11/43 German Captain submarines requested evening 29/11/43 that Mausi aircraft (singular) be fetched back to Pola

without delay. Urgent for submarines arriving and leaving. Next submarine to arrive morning 1/12/43. Comment VL683 mentioned transfer this airgraft to Milan Linate for operation at Spezia.

299 VL881 29/11/43 No reconnaissance and ground attack operations by Fliegerfurhrer Luftflotte on 29/11/43 owing weather.
283 VL889 29/11/43 Photo recces 29/11/43 revealed at 12.45 hrs Z: one motor boat in Kastelorizo , two small warships in Andifli.
277-281 VL890 29/11/43 Complete report Luftwaffenkommando Süd-Ost 29/11/43 (Comment: refer also VL873) 98 sorties comprising 14 reconnaissance, 16 fighters, 10 escort, 15 transport, 2 miscellaneous.

Reconnaissance 1 Ju 88 probing reconnaissance Alex. And Turkish reconnaissance. 1 Ju 88 weather and sea reconnaissance SW of Peloponnese. 1 Ju offshore reconnaissance Spartivento — Otranto, 2 Мe 109 photo reconnaissance Bari.same photo reconnaissance Taranto. 7 Hs 126 Croatia area.

Bombers: 17 Ju attacked convoy sighted NW of Benghazi with 13 tons of bombs. Defence appreciated as AA of all calibres and six to eight Hurricanes. Losses - 1 Ju shot down by Hurricanes and one Ju missing believed shot down. 12 Ju 87 attacked guerilla HQ at Vissoka. 12 He 46 supported army against guerillas of which one force landed.

Fighters: 10 Me 109 operated as in VL 873, 3 Ar 196 on anti-submarine patrol in sea area Rhodes - Skarpanto - Suda from 04.45 – 07.45 hrs Z. 3 Ar similar operation central Aegean from 05.30 to 07.45 hrs Z.

Escort - 4 Ar 196 with one convoy, 6 Ar 196 with air transports.

Transports - 13 Ju 52, 1 W 34, 1 He 111 with glider in usual areas.

Miscellaneous – 1 Ju 52 Mausi afternoon off Suda Bay without result. 1 W 34 supplied troops in Croatia.

271 VL892 30/11/43 Late on 30/11/43, Fliegerführer Luftflotte intentions were unchanged, as for 30/11/43. (Comment see VL812). Ground attack aircraft to be at readiness from 06.30 hrs Z.
267-269 VL893 29/11/43 Intentions for 30/11/43 оf Fliegerführer Albania at 20.00 hrs Z 29/11/43 photo reconnaissance Gioia, Vito Dei Normanni, Manduria, San Pancrazio, Lecce, Leverano and wireless station on Mount Tomorit. Recce for army if and as requested. Escort of Ar 196 from Kumbur for sea rescue of English airman in area 4222, 1815 East – 4237, 7175 East. Fighters at readiness for raids. One aircraft 1./LG 1 at five minutes readiness from 09.00 to 13.00 hrs Z for shadowing, secondly strength at same time, 1./NAGr 12 aircraft 13 serviceable 4, crews 19 ready 13, 13./SG 151. aircraft 5 and 1, crews 7 and 4, 11./JG 27 (comment see VL828) aircraft 5 and 4, crews 7 and 5, including 1 Me 109 brought up from Skoplie, 1.LG 1: aircraft 1 and 1, crews 4 and 3, Adriatic staffel 1 and 1, crews 1 and 1.
247 VL901 30/11/43 Photo reconnaissance of Manfredonia and coastal strip to north east had been made by 08.00 hrs Z 30/11/43 or (comment more likely) was to be made after that time by Fliegerführer Croatia.
245 VL902 30/11/43 Evening 30/11/43 orders for battle ops on 01/12/43 to Fliegerführer Albania. Ground attack operations at request of army. Attacks on Allied fighter and heavy fighter patrols. Paragraph two, reconnaissance orders 12.00 hrs Z 30/11/43 for Fliegerführer Albania for 01/12/43. Photo reconnaissance in following priority - First, Taranto Harbocur, second airfield Grottaglie. Third, airfield Gioia del Colle.
233 VL905 30/11/43 On 30/11/43 2 Mе 109 failed to carry out photo reconnaissance Lecce and Leverano and 2 Me 109 broke off photo reconnaissance of Gioia del Colle and San Vito Normanni.
215 VL910 01/12/43 Convoy sighting in VL884 was during reconnaissance of Straits Otranto made as result of wireless

intercept reports.

213 VL911 30/11/43 Appreciated by ARC Sarajevo afterrnoon 30/11/43, supplementary to VL867. attack by 32 t/e. 39

bombs dropped, 98 Croats and 144 injured. 60 houses destroyed.

209 VL913 29/11/43 Airfield Detachment Kos according Fliegerkorps X orders 29/11/43 to take over captured aircraft fuel estimated at minimum 450 tons. Detachment to report on difficulties in furnishing of guards.
205 VL915 01/12/43 Photo reconnaissance Manfredonia could not be carried out, see VL901, owing bad weather.
193 VL919 29/11/43 Guard required for duties Leros air base.
187-9 VL921 30/11/43 Albania Fliegerführer intentions 19.00 hrs Z 30/11/43 for 01/12/43 included:-

Able: (strong indications photo reconnaissance Taranto, Lecce and wireless station on Mt Tomorit (comment photo reconnaissance of Lecce and Tomorit - intended for 30/11/43 see VL893 but failed, see VL905 not co, hence presumably discrepancy betwern operations orders in VL902 and these later intentions).

Baker: reconnaissance in support of army.

Charlie: Fighters (comment, no details).

Dog: shadowing aircraft (comment, no details),

Serviceability evening 30/11/43. 1./NAGr 12 total aircraft unkown, serviceable 6, crews total 20, ready 13. 13./SG 151: 5, 1,7, 4. 11./JG 27: 5, 4, 7, 5. I./LG 1: 1, 1, 4, 3. Adriatic Staffel: 1, 1, 1, 1.

At 09.00 hrs Z 30/11/43 4 Spitfires with bombs and aircraft armament attacked Freya apparatus at Vieri. No damage.

185 VL922 01/12/43 4 Jabo ops with escort intended for 01/12/43 by Ffliegerführer Luftflotte 2, details follow.
179 VL925 01/12/43 4 escort operations for Jabos, (further to VL922) intended by Fliegerführer Luftflotte 2 fighters on 01/12/43. Increased scale of operations to be expected. Gruppen to ensure that aircraft rapidly made serviceable. Special injunctions to ground staffs to refuel and re-arm quickly. To meet contingency of raids on German occupied airfields all serviceable aircraft? To bе warned as quickly as possible and to take off immediately. Special effort required of all pilots

and technical personnel.

175 VL927 01/12/43 Mausi to sweep near island of Tino La Spezia on 01/12/43.
173 VL928 30/11/43 From 11.00 hrs Z 30/11/43 one schwarm of Me 109 to operate at irregular intervals on road protection patrol in Albania. Aircraft under orders tо fly not immediately over roads, airfield detachment Drenova informed. Comment not known which

Drenova meant.

171 VL929 30/11/43 21.00 hrs Z 30/11/43 Ravenna reported fully serviceable for night landing on 01/12/43. KG 30 interested.
157 VL633 01/12/43 Comment to VL859 the 4 Ju 87 were damaged at outer dispersal points not on dispersal airfields.
155 VL937 29/11/43 Luftwaffe field fuel tank depot at Rama in area Mostar airfield 29/11/43. Comment exact location not known. Rama is in Prizor district, presumably north of Jablanica where railway crosses Rama river.
139 VL944 30/11/43 Serviceable aircraft evening 30/11/43: NAGr 12, 7 Me 109, 2 Fi 156, Close Recce Kette Mostar, 1 Hs 126. I./SG 3 Mostar (fair indications 10) Ju 87. 13./SG 151, 5 Ju 87, Nacht Schlacht Staffel Butmir 3 He 46. Close Recce Kette Butmir, 2 Hs 126.

Secondly, Zara detachment same time had 1 Hs 126 and 2 He 46, 2 He 46 unserviceable.

137 VL945 30/11/43 Operation “Nosebag” according Luftwaffe Zara afternoon 30/11/43, refer VL764
135 VL946 30/11/43 Eight Me 109 arrived Ravenna from Treviso 12.30 hrs Z 30/11/43. Comment - no details.
123 VL951 30/11/43 B4 urgently required at Perugia as increased consumption to be expected, according information evening 30/11/43, secondly, stocks evening 26/11/43 were 109 tons after consumption 15 and issue 15 to Grosseto.
115 VL955 01/12/43 At 02.30 hrs Z on 01/12/43, intentions Fliegerdivision II for same day, 1 Ju 88 security reconnaissance and picking up of conyoy west of 5º East to 4º West, 1 Ju 88 security reconnaissance in late afternoon between 3 and 8º East as far as 40º

North. Weather permitting photo reconnaissance or visual recce of Corsican west coast harbours, one rotte Ar 196 security reconnaissance and anti-submarine patrol in late afternoon coast-wise to Nice.

111-3 VL956 30/12/43 Total effort Luftwaffenkommando Süd-Ost 30/11/43 87 sorties of which 10 reconnaissance, 5 bombers, 8 fighters, 32

escort, 25 transport, 7 miscellaneous.

Reconnaissance: 1 Ju 88 southeast screening Rhodes and task Turkey 09.25 – 11.20 hrs Z.

1 Ju 88 offshore reconnaissance Ras Hilal - Tobruk 05.00 to 06.15 hrs Z, to pick up convoy sighted 29/11/43, 1 Ju 88 Met and sea reconnaissance southwest Peloponnese 05.00 – 08.40 hrs Z.. 1 Ju 88 offshore Spartivento - Otranto 11.00 – 13.45 hrs Z, 4 Me 109 on photo reconnaissance not carried out (comment see VL905). 2 Hs 126 Travnik area 12.50 – 14.15 hrs Z, supply dropping.

Bombers: 4 He 46, 3 of these 13.20 to 14.20 Hrs Z, and one Me 110 Army support Cazma area.

Fighters: 6 Me 109 scrambled Kalamaki on report of noise of aircraft, 2 Me 109 watch on Albanian coast.

Escort: 21 Arado and 5 Ju 88 with 2 convoys. 6 Arado with air transport.

Transport: 24 Ju 52, one glider towing He 111, Greece - Crete - Italy – Albania.

Miscellaneous: 3 Ju 88 and 3 Arado on searchfor Ju 88 missing after attack on shipping 29/11/43.

Night 29-30/11/43 no ops.

109 VL957 30/11/43 Ground situation made it necessary to occupy Pescara airfield immediately with at least 1 fighter Staffel and 1 reconnaissance Kette, according to field Luftgau very early 30/11/43, orders therefore issued for runway and camouflaged dispersal points to be constructed, an airfield detachment to be sent off and all immediately necessary stocks to be provided, a survey detachment of JG 53 was due Pescara on 30/11/43 to determine sites of runway and dispersal points.
101 VL961 25/11/43 3 mines cleared in operations over Heraklion harbour by 4./MSGr 1 Heraklion on 25/11/43. position of mines: 352006, 250909 East; 352007, 250907 East; and 352007, 250906 East., two five sought nine fought six east. Report rendered to 4./MSGr 1, Milan Linate.
83 VL967 30/11/43 Airfield Regional Command (Koflug) 2/ VI ordered afternoon 30/11/43 that serviceability of following

airfields be investigated at once. Colonnella, Fermo, Loreto and Marcarate (Comment probably Macerata intended). Report to be made quickly as important for operations.

Secondly, same evening, same authority ordered removal from airfields Fano, Ancona, Loreto and Jasi of all Italian

ammunition, weapons and captured fuel.

75 VL970 30/11/43 Total operations Fliegerführer Luftflotte 2 on 30/11/43. 18 G/A aircraft attacked close concentrations of tanks and M/T in front of 65 ID with bombs and aircraft armament, of these, ten attacked at 08.30 hrs Z, 3 Fw 190 damaged

by heavy AA and air combat, 8 attacked 12.30 – 13.20 hrs Z. 40 fighters on free lance patrol and escort for G/A aircraft. 2 lost in combat.‚6 reconnaissance aircraft on visual reconnaissance and photo reconnaissance before 65 ID. Vissual reconnaissance 06.25 -07.15 hrs Z broke off owing fighter defence. 1 aircraft missing.

1 aircraft on weather reconnaissance in same area and Apennine area. Operations greatly imp??ed by weather.

71 VL972 01/12/43 Unchanged, as for 01/12/43, were intentions Fliegerführer Luftflotte 2 for 02/12/43 at 20.00 hrs Z 01/12/43,

Comment see VL892

69 VL973 01/12/43 Photo reconnaissance of Taranto and airfields Manduria and San Pancrazio on 01/12/43 discontinued near target on account bad weather.
55-57 VL977 30/11/43 Western Mediterranean effort on 30/11/43.

(Able) Fliegerdivision 2: all aircraft of 1.(F)/33 landed by 15.30 hrs Z, 1 Ju 88 route 4222, 0345 East, 4107, 0445 East, 3952, 0415 East, 3937, 0445 East, 3907, 0415 East, 3837, n0415 East, 3852, 0015 East, 4152, 0315 East, 05.00 – 11.00 hrs Z. 6 Arado close escort 05.45 – 12.45 hrs Z. 1 Ju 88 security reconnaissance between 3º and 8º East southern limit 40º North 11.15 – 15.00 hrs Z. 4 Arado close escort 12.00 – 16.15 hrs Z.

(Baker) other units: 1 Ju 88 route Cape Linaro 4107, 1145 East, 4027, 1345 East, 3922, 1455 East, 3852, 1345 East, 3852, 1015 East, Linaro 07.15 – 10.15 hrs Z.

1 Ju 88 sea reconnaissance round Corsica and Sardinia including Bonifacio Straits morning, reconnaissance Tyrrhenian Sea 07.00 – 11.00 hrs Z, offshore Linaro - Sorrento & sorrento 18.00 – 19.30 hrs Z, offshore Bari - Ancona 22.00 -

00.01 hrs Z.

49 VL979 19/11/43 Unspecified advance detachment of III./JG 53 ordered by the Gruppe on 19/11/43, to send an NCO of 7./JG 53 to Reggio Emilia.

Secondly, on 18/11/43 4 Me 109 of iii./JG 53 abandoned a patrol over Genoa owing weather. Comment, see AWL1159. Regret this information not previously sent.

47 VL980 01/12/43 Recce intentions for night 1-2/12/43 of Fliegerkorps II evening 01/12/43 offshore screening west and east. By day on 02/12/43. As by night. Sea reconnaissance Tyrrhenian Sea. Weather permitting photo reconnaissance of 5 airfields and harbours (comment - Unknown here)
23 VL991 30/11/43 Gerda Toft convoy see VL844 had escort of 3 aircraft at a time as far as 3732, 2545 East at 14 (fair indications 30) hrs Z 30/11/43.

Secondly on 30/11/43 Müller was requested to move Italian prisoners from Samos to Leros assembly camp by shuttle service, intended to remove them from Leros by steamship.

19 VL993 26/11/43 In operations over Heraklion Harbour by 4./MSGr 1 Heraklion on 26/11/43 one mine cleared.

Position 350007, 250908 East