KGr.z.b.V. Frankfurt
KGr. z.b.V. Frankfurt
Kampfgruppe z.b.V. Frankfurt
(Unit Code: used factory codes)
Formation. (Nov 42)
Formed 8-12 November 1942, probably at Frankfurt/Oder, 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, 50, 172 and 700. The majority of the crews probably came from the same Gruppen. Organizationally, KGr.z.b.V. Frankfurt had a Gruppenstab and four Staffeln (1. – 4).[1]
Italy and North Africa. (Nov 42 - Feb 43)
16 Nov 42: Ju 52 damaged taxiing at Fp. Foggia/Italy, 20%.[2]
19 Nov 42: at Foggia but operating from Fp. Trapani/W Sicily - Ju 52 bombed on the ground at Tunis, 100%, 1 KIA and 2 WIA.
19 Nov 42: unserviceable Ju 52 blown up at Sidi el Magrun/SSE of Benghazi to prevent capture by the advancing enemy, 100%.
20 Nov 42: flights to Tunisia being staged through Trapani.
27 Nov 42: Ju 52 (SJ+DQ) reported missing in the vicinity of the Ischia Islands near Naples, 100%, 1 KIA and 4 MIA.
30 Nov 42: based at Foggia.
2 Dec 42: Ju 52 reported missing on flight from Tripoli to Trapani, 100%, 4 crew and 17 passengers MIA.
12 Dec 42: Ju 52 struck the ground and crashed near Tazzoli (Tazzola/19 km S of Bologna?), 100%, 4 KIA.
12 Dec 42: Ju 52 struck the ground and crashed at Tripoli, 100%, 4 crew WIA, 3 passengers KIA and 14 other passengers WIA.
31 Dec 42: Ju 52 crashed during a night landing at Tripoli, 100%.
Jan 43: transferred from Foggia to Naples-Capodichino at the end of December, and from there continued transport operations under Stab/KG z.b.V. “N”.[3]
2 Jan 43: Ju 52 force landed at Naples - engine failure, 100%, 2 crew and 7 passengers WIA.
13 Jan 43: Ju 52 crashed at Naples-Capodichino - engine failure, 60%, 2 WIA.
22 Jan 43: 4 Ju 52s bombed on the ground at Tunis, all 100%, 7 KIA and 14 WIA.
28 Jan 43: Ju 52 destroyed in mid-air collision over Tunis, 100%, 4 crew and 8 passengers KIA.
7 Feb 43: Ju 52 shot down by a fighter off Sicily, 100%, 4 KIA.
Feb 43: disbanded around mid-February with remaining aircraft handed over to KGr.z.b.V. 106 and surplus personnel reassigned to KGr.z.b.V. 300 (the replacement Gruppe).[4]
FpN:Gruppenstab with 1. – 4. Staffel (L 50429)
Kommandeur:
Obstlt. Richard Kupschus (DKG) (Nov 42 - c. Feb 43)
Maj. Walter Hornung (DKG) (c. Feb 43 - Feb 43)
Also see:
ANGERER, Fritz, Oblt. Pilot. MIA.
HANSEN, Johan, Oblt. MIA.
HERMANN, ? , Lt.
LECHNER, Josef, Oblt. Beobachter. Staka.
OPITZ, Werner, Oblt. Staka 3./KGr.z.b.V. Frankfurt.
SCHNELL, Bernard, Reg.Insp. Passenger. MIA.
SCHRÖDER, Heinz, Lt. MIA.
SCHULZE, Klaus, Maj. Staka 3./KGr.z.b.V. Frankfurt.
WINKLER, Gerhard, Oblt.
© 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).
- ↑ NARA WashDC: RG 242/T-971 roll 33, frame 347.
- ↑ F.Morzik-German Air Force Airlift Operations:405.
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