Flak around Airfields?
 

I was sitting and doing a Mission for the Flight simulator IL2 and started to add up AA guns around the airfield for protection and my friend started argueing about that it was to much so I started thinking and comed to the conclusion that I have no what so ewer knowledge of Flak units that defended german airfields in the West at all, I have knowledge about Flak Regiments in Infantry and armoured divisions for the Heer but nothing about LWs flak regiments (?) for protection of airfields. does anyone know or know a good site about howe a defense around an Airfield was formed?

How many batteries would it have and what caliber would it have? I asume it would be mixed to be able to handle both High level flying airplanes as well as ground straffing planes...

But then again I have no clue.

Do You?

Best Regards the Newbie on this great site, Chainsaw

Re: Flak around Airfields?
 

Hi F10,

I don't know the standard configuration but I can give you one historic example which I can document: Fliegerhorst Grove Denmark 15 JAN 1945.
4 Batteries 8,8 cm Flak, 6 guns in each. 1 Bat 500 m N of E-W runway one 500 m south. One bat 500 m NW and one 1500 m NE.
14 Flak-Zuge (sic) 3 guns a piece, consisting of 3,7 cm, 2 cm and 2 cm Vierling close to vital point that needed protection.
bregds
SES

Re: Flak around Airfields?
 

Thank You wery much SES!

That gaved me something to aim at atleast!

Thank You wery much again SES.

/Chainsaw

(PS. F10 is the virtual squadron i fly in IL2 with, visit us at www.f10vs.tk )

Re: Flak around Airfields?
 

Hi,

You are welcome.
SES
Drakridder 1986

Re: Flak around Airfields?
 

This kind of heavy Flak defences was only found around big all-weather bases.

In 44-45, Luftwaffe German units operated mostly from secondary bases (clearing in woods and so on), discretion being more efficient than Flak to avoid strafings. The JG 26 gives some examples of Flak defences that are rather light. If you want I will give you the exact numbers but 6-12 light/medium AA guns are what remains in my memory.

Re: Flak around Airfields?
 

I would love to get thos figures Laurent!

Thank you in advance
/Chainsaw

Re: Flak around Airfields?
 

Gentlemen,

at the end of war (April 1945 in Schleissheim) we had 2 cm Flak (Vierling) about 1/2 mile away from airport at qms (line of approach) to protect nightfighters.

When approaching after mission (flying very low) we were often followed by mosquitos. We informed tower about our approach and the 2 cm Flak unit was ready for searchlights and shooting just after we have passed over them.

In a few cases they were successful.

regards Peter Spoden

Re: Flak around Airfields?
 

Intressting, do You know how many flak guns there was for that purpose?

Re: Flak around Airfields?
 

F10: Chainsaw:

I don't have first hand experience but I do recall from my readings that the consensus among allied pilots was that strafing attacks on German airfields was not conducive to one's operational survival; I too play "IL2" & all I can say is, the more light flak the better; however, unless you have a VERY muscular PC system all the graphic 'tracer bullet' effects can really slow down your framerate, so a balance has to be found;

NickM

Re: Flak around Airfields?
 

Yeah, and the fact that one gun in IL2 has same effectivines as 4 in real life... they are overkill.... so U need to Half the size in Il2 as in real life

Re: Flak around Airfields?
 

Searched the JG 26 diaries but the Flak defences are not described in details, contrary to my memory. Size and installations of airfields are but for Flak in fall 1944, there are indications for two airfields:

_ one has "at least three Flak towers".

_ the other has "5 Flak towers, main weapon being 20mm".

Re: Flak around Airfields?
 

Hello.

You may be interested in the following Flak protection provided for Jersey Airport during the German occupation of that island, 1940 - 1945. As you may know German forces occupied the British Channel Islands during this period and they became the most heavily defended part of Hitlers Atlantic Wall.

Jersey alone had 100+ light Flak guns and around 36+ 88mm weapons! Guernsey had a similar number.

The following list is correct for late 1944 when all units were frozen in position after the invasion of the continent.

10 Batterie/364 Gemischt Flak Abteilung (Mixed AA Unit)

I Zug (Platoon).
3 x 2cm Flak 38
Rear of St.Peter,s Arsenal approx half mile south east of field.

II Zug.
3 x 2cm Flak 38
Above Mont a la Brune approx quarter mile south west of field.

III Zug.
3 x 2cm Flak 38
Mont de la Mare just north of field.

IV Zug.
3 x 2cm Flak 38
Top of Jubilee Hill just north east of field.

V Zug.
3 x 2cm Flak 38
Southern perimeter of field.

In addition to these light defences against low flying enemy aircraft there existed the following heavy batteries nearby.

1 Batterie/364 Gem Flak Abt.
6 x 8.8cm Flak 36/37
3 x 2cm Flak 38
Also equipped with Radar!
La Moye Point approx 2 miles south west of field.

2 Batterie/364 Gem Flak Abt.
6 x 8.8cm Flak 36/37
3 x 2cm Flak 38
Les Gellettes approx 1 mile east of field directly on flight approach path to airport. The remains of this battery are now open to the public. Check this link. www.jerseywartunnels.com/Content/facilities/war_trail.aspx

3 Batterie/364 Gem Flak Abt.
6 x 8.8cm Flak 36/37
3 x 2cm Flak 38
Radar.
Mont Rossignol approx quarter mile north of field.

As you can see, pretty heavily defended for such a little used airfield. Hope this helps? I think that the light flak set-up was pretty standard for most ordinary fields.

Steve.

Re: Flak around Airfields?
 

Thank You wery much Steve and Laurent Rizzotti for the info that You shared,

Especially the info You had Stev, very detailed. thank You wery much

Re: Flak around Airfields?
 

Peter, VERY interesting.

Re: Flak around Airfields?
 

Hi;
according to "Me 262" Vol. 3 (Classic Pub.)

...the Germans surrounded the airfields with anti-aircraft guns; Rheine, for example, had 160 quadruple 20 mm cannon positioned on its east-west runway..." (referring to defending jets against attacks from Allied fighters while taking off and landing.)

Ouch!

Paul

Re: Flak around Airfields?
 

Per "Me 262" Vol 3 by Smith/Creek (Classic Pubs);

"...To counter this (Allied air patrols over German airfields) the Germans surrounded the airfields with anti-aircraft guns; Rheine, for example, had 160 quadruple 20 mm cannon positioned on its east-west runway..."

Ouch!

Paul

Re: Flak around Airfields?
 

Wasnt that uniqe for ME262 airfields?