Stab./KG26
 

Did Ernst-August Roth still hold the position as kommodore KG26 in 1945?
Stab./KG26 was in Vaernes at the end of the war, and this photo shows the remains of a Stab Ju188 at the dump.

Regards
Anders

Re: Stab./KG26
 

According to Michael Holm's site, these were the Geschwaderkommodore of KG 26:
GenMaj Hans Siburg, 1939 - 9.39
GenMaj Robert Fuchs, 29.9.39 - 15.10.40
GenLt Alexander Holle, 15.10.40 - 6.41
Oberst Martin Harlinghausen, 6.1.42 - 11.42
Oberst Karl Stockmann, 12.42 - 2.43
Obstlt Werner Klümper, 3.43 - 11.44
Obstlt Wilhelm Stemmler, 11.44 - 1.45
Obstlt Georg Teske, 2.45 - 5.45

There is no mention of an Ernst-August Roth.

Kind regards,
Rudi.

Re: Stab./KG26
 

Yes - see that now. Roth was possibly kommodore after Fuchs in desember 41. So could this be Teske's 188?

Re: Stab./KG26
 

Here’s what we have on this guy:

ROTH, Ernst-August.
(DOB: 19.04.98 in Potsdam).
01.03.34 trf to the Luftwaffe from the Marine with a rank of Hptm., appt Referent and Abt.-Leiter for Bodensorganisation Land u. See/ RLM, and concurrently ordered to Luftkreis VI (See).
01.01.35 promo to Maj.
10.07.36 appt Kdr. Fl.Waffenschule (See) Parow (to 30.09.37).
01.03.37 promo to Obstlt.
01.10.37 appt Kdr. Kü.Fl.Gr. 106.
01.04.39 appt Chef des Stabes/Gen. d.Lw. beim Ob.d.M.
01.06.39 promo to Oberst.
02.40 concurrently appt Lufttransport-Chef des X. Fl.Korps.
01.08.40 appt Kommodore KG 40.
22.12.40 appt Kommodore KG 28.
17.11.41 awarded DKG.
02.12.41 appt Kommodore KG 26.
11.12.41 appt Fliegerführer Sizilien.
13.01.42 re-appt Kommodore KG 26.
01.08.42 promo to Gen.Maj.
11.02.43 appt Fliegerführer Lofoten/Kirkenes.
07.43 concurrently appt Fliegerführer Nord (Ost) (to 03.44).
16.11.43 awarded Ritterkreuz.
19.04.44 (or 15.06.44?) appt Fliegerführer 5, Drontheim.
19.08.44 assigned to Führerreserve OKL and Gen.z.b.V. with Luftgau Kdo. VII and XI (order rescinded?). 10.10.44 appt Kommandierender Gen. d.dt. Lw.in Norwegen.
01.01.45 promo to Gen.Lt.
09.06.45 into British captivity in Norway.
15.03.48 released.
†26.09.75 in Ahrensburg.


A busy guy!

LdZ
DGS

Re: Stab./KG26
 

Doug

This is not exactly what you state in Volume 1 of Bomber Units etc two years ago. There you list Roth as Kommodore 15.12.41 to 2.2.42.....

Should we take this as an update? If so can you update the second formation of Stab/KG 26 which most other earlier sources state did not exist.

Cheers
Stig

Re: Stab./KG26
 

Yes, this can be considered an update. The personnel and unit databases are being updated continually. In the past year alone, the amount of material added to the officer career database by several hundred pages and at least two thousand new guys. The bomber book manuscript was frozen as of 31 December 2006 and so it is relatively "old". For our forthcoming Ground Attack units book, we re-generated the commanders lists from scratch using the latest data but even this has not resolved all the issues or filled in all the slots. Much information is still missing. Compounding matters is that the original documents are a bit ambiguous as to the types of promotions (acting, provisional, permanent) and dates (they are heavily time-lagged). While we shall endeavor to include updates and corrections to the last moment before commitment to print, there cannot be an absolute guarantee of accuracy because, unfortunately, this is impossible. All we can do is assure you is that we will try to be as accurate as possible within the constraints that exist.

LdZ
DGS

Re: Stab./KG26
 

Thanks Doug

Any chance all those of us who has bought your 2-set Bomber volumes can get an update whenever the two of you feel like it?

I have to confess, I am rather sour at those authors/publishers where you have to buy the second issue to receive any such updates.....:(

Cheers
Stig

Re: Stab./KG26
 

This sounds reasonable request! I will start in on it right away and then post it for all to read. It will take at least a week.

Re: Stab./KG26
 

Thanks Doug

Really appreciated :)

From someone who liked the two first books and also look forward to future issues

Cheers
Stig

Re: Stab./KG26
 

Hello anderbe

Aside the real question (the others answered that nicely), no Stab./KG 26 Ju 188 aircraft was given in post-surrender lists of aircraft at Vaernes (info from Norwegian website). I think this Ju 188 A-3 LT then may have had accident before 09.05.45, be wrongly listed or be one of those in the reserve list. This is the list I have over Ju 88 / 188 surrendered at Vaernes but all are still without codes/W.Nr.:

Værnes (total 13)

1 Ju 88 Stab./KG 26
2 Ju 88 A-17 II/KG 26
5 Ju 188 A-3 III/KG 26
1 Ju 88 D-1 Tkdo 1.(F)/120
2 Ju 88 D-1 Westa 3
2 Ju 188 Ob.Qu.Reserve

Have you maybe codes or W.Nr. for these these a/c? Much appreciated if some more could be indentified! (or PM if you prefer?)

Best regards
ed

Re: Stab./KG26
 

The Stabsstaffel K.G. 26 left two aircraft at Vaernes airfield at the time of capitulation, Ju 188A-3 W.Nr. 190324 and He 111H-6 W.Nr. 7256. In addition III./K.G.26 left behind five Ju 88A-3 at Vaernes, W.Nr. 160064, 190332, 180475, 190311 and 190322.

Re: Stab./KG26
 

Sorry Seaplanes

Can you repeat the TYPE left behind by III./KG 26?
They sound to me like Ju 188A-3 and not Ju 88A-3. I guess you missed the digit 1?

Cheers
Stig

Re: Stab./KG26
 

Thanks Seaplanes. Greatly appreciated. But huum... The Stabstaffel/KG 26 had 1H+?F in their codes (eight Ju 88 A-4´s taken on strength 10.44, one mishap <non-enemy-action in December>, seven remaining on strength 31.12.44), vs Stab./KG 26 presumably used 1H+?A (as seen on photograph) - two Ju 188 A-3 known still on strenght 31.12.44. The seven Stabstaffel/KG 26 codes indentified so far are:

1H+AF Ju 88 A-4 CRD 09.02.45 Norway (142497)
1H+BF Ju 88 A-4 DIT 02.05.45 off NE-Iceland (not verified; NOT 5028)
1H+CF Ju 88 A-4 MIS 06.02.45 Norway (JW.64) (821266)
1H+DF Ju 88 A-4 MIS 06.02.45 Norway (JW.64) (140291)
1H+FF Ju 88 A-4 SUR., pic./known at Lubeck? post 05.45 (unk)
1H+JF Ju 88 A-4 CRD 09.02.45 Norway (301532)
1H+KF Ju 88 A-4 CRD 09.02.45 Norway (140735)

So you must be referring to Stab./KG 26 (not Stabstaffel/KG 26 as in text)?

Best regards
ed

Re: Stab./KG26
 

The other planes left behind were all Ju 188A-3 of course.

Re: Stab./KG26
 

Thanks a lot for that info Ed and Seaplanes. As you can see there was a few Ju88's and 188 at the dump at the end of the war. At least one A-4 with w.nr starting with 801.

Anders

Re: Stab./KG26
 

Very interesting photo anderbe. This at left was possibly Ju 88 A-4 or A-17 801610 and (unk) 1H+FN next behind to that. Ju 88 or 188 in foreground is likely coded +G . Now knowing of these two photos of KG 26 planes at Vaernes, possibly there are others too - just waiting to be discovered! Many thanks.

Re: Stab./KG26
 

I might add, nearly all Ju 88 / 188 left at Vaernes must show in that second photo. I counted at least 10 or 11.

Re: Stab./KG26
 

It will take more than a week to make updates for the commanders of all the units but below is my new compilation for those of KG 26. I will make and post the other units as they progress. It will take a while.

The following is the latest determination of commanders within KG 26 based on the current version of our Luftwaffe officer career database. While it remains incomplete and not totally resolved, it does represent the “best guess” based on the available information at this time.

Comparing this against the commanders listed in “Bomber Units of the Luftwaffe”, there are few changes, none of them major.

Stab/KG 26
Kommodore: ( 1. formation)
Gen.Maj. Hans Siburg (1 May 1939 – c. 28 September 1939).
Oberst Robert Fuchs (RK) (29 September 1939 – June 1940)
Obstlt. Karl Freiherr von Wechmar (July 1940 – 19 November 1940) KIA
Oberst Robert Fuchs (RK) (c. 20 November 1940 – December 1940) –acting
Obstlt. Benno Kosch (RK) (25 November 1940 – February 1941) - acting?
Oberst Alexander Holle (December 1940 – June 1941?) acting, concurrently appt Fl.Fü. Nordost

Kommodore: (2. formation)
Oberst Ernst-August Roth (DKG) (2 December 1941 – 2 February 1942).

Oberst Karl Stockmann (c. 15 November 1942 – 31 January 1943).
Obstlt. Werner Klümper (RK) (1 March 1943 – November 1944).
Major Wilhelm Stemmler (DKG, RK) (November 1944 – January 1945)
Obstlt. Georg Teske (DKG, RK) (February 1945 – 8 May 1945).

I./KG 26.
Major Walter Loebel (1 May 1939 – September 1939)
Obstlt. Hans Ahlefeld (1 October 1939 – 10 April 1940) MIA
Obstlt. Herman Busch (c. April 1940 – 1 March 1942)
Obstlt. Kurt Dobratz (14 May 1941 - ?) acting?
Hptm. Bernd “Bert” Eicke (March 1942 – July 1942) –acting
Major Werner Klümper (DKG) (July 1942 – 31 January 1943).
Hptm. Herbert Vater (1 March 1943 – July 1943) - provisional
Hptm. Klaus Toball (July 1943 – August 1943) -acting
Hptm. Helmut von Rabenau (August 1943 – 11 November 1943) MIA
Hptm. Joachim Müller (c. 12 November 1943 – c. 20 July 1944).

Major Willi Sölter (RK) (c. 20 July 1944 – February 1945).

II./KG 26
Kommandeur: II./KG 26 (1. formation 05.39– 05.45)
Obstlt. Joachim von Busche (1 May 1939 – October 1939)
Obstlt. Hans Hefele (October 1939 – 3 April 1940) POW
Major Martin Vetter (RK) (6 April 1940 – 20 August 1940)
Major Eckard Christian (21 August 1940 – 31 December 1940).
Major Helmuth Bertram (1 January 1941 – 17 January 1941) POW –acting
Hptm. Robert Kowalewski (RK) (18 January 1941 – 14 May 1941).
Obstlt. Horst Beyling (DKG) (15 May 1941 – 11 February 1943)
Major Georg Teske (DKG) (12 February 1943 – 10 August 1944)
Major Otto-Friedrich Werner (11 August 1944 – 2 December 1944)
Hptm. Rudi Schmidt (DKG, RK) (3 December 1944 – 8 May 1945).

III./KG 26
Major Viktor von Lossberg (1 November 1939 – 31 May 1940)
Major Karl Wolfien (1 June 1940 – February 1941)

Major Viktor von Lossberg (February 1941 – 30 August 1941).
Major Waldemar Lerche (1 September 1941 – October 1941) –acting
Major Franz Böhme (October 1941 – 15 December 1941)

Kommandeur: III./KG 26 (3. formation 12.41 – 05.42)
Obstlt. Hellmut Schalke (15 December 1941 (15 January 1942?) – 31 May 1942)

Hptm. Ernst-Heinrich Thomsen (DKG) (June 1942 – 21 July 1942) –accident
Hptm. Heinrich Möller (22 July 1942 – September 1942) - acting.
Major Karl-Ferdinand Hielscher (September 1942 – November 1942)
Major Horst Kayser (November 1942 – 19 December 1942) MIA
Hptm. Klaus-Wilhelm Nocken (DKG, RK) (1 March 1943 (20 December 1942?) – February 1944) – provisional
Major Ernst-Heinrich Thomsen (DKG, RK) (February 1944 – October 1944)
Major Wolrad Harseim (October 1944 – 8 May 1945).

IV./KG 26
Kommandeur:
Hptm. Fritz Gehring (7 October 1941 – February 1944)
Major Klaus-Wilhelm Nocken (DKG, RK) (18 February 1944 – 6 September 1944)


LdZ
DGS

Re: Stab./KG26
 

Hi Doug.

A small correction to this:

Major Willi Sölter (RK) (c. 20 July 1944 – February 1945).

I/KG 26 did still exist may 1945, with Sölter in command, stationed at FlH. Vejle/DK.

Junker

Re: Stab./KG26
 

Doug

Thanks for the new KG 26 list!

Since your list of Roth career was the triggering point for my update request, I am still a bit puzzled regarding the man.

In your career description you say he was appointed Fliegerführer Sizilien on 11.12.1941 until he went back to KG 26 again on 13.1.1942. Was it possible for him to have both posts at the same time?

Junker
When you update I./KG 26 you say Sölter was commander up to Feb.45.
Immediately below you state that the unit existed in MAY 1945, still with Sölter in comdand. Both cannot be correct, unless you have someone else replacing Sölter in Feb 1945 and have him re-appointed later during the year. Comments please.

Cheers
Stig

Re: Stab./KG26
 

Junker

Now I see what you mean. You have copied Doug's details in your e-mail.
Sorry about my confusion...:confused:

Cheers
STig

Re: Stab./KG26
 

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/images/icons/icon10.gif

Junker

Re: Stab./KG26
 

The following is a summary of commanders in KG 1 according to our current database. Comparison with those listed in our “Bomber Units of the Luftwaffe” show only a few minor differences.


If my review of KG 2 commanders shows a similar trend of little or no change I will stop further reviewing of the other units.


Stab/KG 1 (05.39 – 08.44)
Gen.Major Ulrich Otto Eduard Kessler (1 May 1939 – December 1939).
Oberst Ernst Exss (RkHS) (18 December 1939 – 15 July 1940).
Oberst Josef Kammhuber (12 July 1940 – July 1940)
Oberst Karl Angerstein (RkHS, RK) (1 August 1940 - ?)
Major Herbert Lorch (DKG) (2 March 1942 – 30 June 1942) – acting?
Obstlt. Paul Schemmel (30 June 1942 (18 July 1942?) – 13 August 1942) MIA
Major Hans Keppler (DKG, RK) (20 August 1942 – 3 September 1942) KIA
Major Heinrich Lau (DKG) (12 September 1942 – December 1942) – provisional
Major Heinrich Lau (DKG) (9 December 1942 – 18 March 1943) - permanent
Major Horst von Riesen (19 March 1943 – 31 August 1943) - provisional
Major Horst von Riesen (1 September 1943 – 31 August 1944) – permanent

I./KG 1 (1. formation 05.39 – 04.41)
Obstlt. Robert Krauss (1 May 1939 – October 1939).
Hptm. Hermann Crone (13 September 1940 – 19 December 1940) –acting?
Hptm. Walther Herbold (20 December 1940 – 23 March 1941)
Major Wather Herbold (? – 24 March 1942 - ?) ?

I./KG 1 (2. formation 06.42 – 08.44)
Obstlt. Hellmuth Schalke (8 June 1942 – 8 July 1942)
Major Werner Dahlke (DKG) (9 July 1942 – 26 June 1943)

II./KG 1 ( 09.39 – 09.44)
Major Benno Kosch ( September 1939 – 7 September 1940) WIA
Hptm. Otto Stamms (7 September 1940 – January 1941) – acting?
Major Otto Stamms (January 1941 – 27 June 1941) WIA
Hptm. Emil Enderle (July 1941 – 3 November 1941) MIA
Major Werner Dahlke (November 1941 – January 1942) – acting?
Major Herbert Lorch (DKG) (January 1942 – August 1942)
Hptm. Heinz Laube (DKG) (August 1942 – 8 December 1942) KIA
Major Horst von Riesen (21 January 1943 – 17 March 1943) - provisional
Major Günther Dörffel (1 April 1943 – 1 July 1943) – KIA 6 July 1943
Oblt. Klaus Mohr (DKG) (July 1943 – 12 August 1943) MIA –acting?
Hptm. Martin Rohrdantz (24 September 1943 – 25 August 1944)

III./KG 1 (1. formation, 12.39 – 05.44)
Major Otto Schnelle (15 December 1939 – 10 May 1940) KIA
Major Hans Steinweg (10 May 1940 – 22 June 1940) – acting?
Major Willibald Fanelsa (22 June 1940 – 27 August 1940) POW
Hptm. Hans Fischer (10 September 1940 – 11 April 1941) MIA
Major Walter Lehwess-Litzmann (April 1941 – October 1941)
Hptm.Major Hans Keppler (November 1941 – 19 August 1942)
Hptm. Manfred von Cossart (DKG) (August 1942 – September 1942) – acting
Major Werner Kanther (DKG) (October 1942 – 1 April 1944)

III./KG 1 (2. formation, 05.44 – 08.44)
Hptm. Hans-Gotthelf von Kalckreuth (DKG) (31 May 1944 – 25 August 1944)

IV.(Erg)/KG 1 (08.40 – 08.44).
Hptm. Herbert Lorch (10 April 1941 – 5 May 1941)
Major Werner Dahlke (6 May 1941 – 20 July 1942)
Hptm. Günter Hoffmann-Loerzer (1 August 1942 – 23 November 1942)
Major Manfred von Cossart (DKG) (24 November 1942 – 4 February 1944)
Hptm. Siegfried Freiherr von Cramm (DKG) (5 February 1944 – 31 August 1944).

Re: Stab./KG26
 

Hi Doug

Thanks for the lists. My intention was not that you should re-write the book, but just add any changes discovered. In your KG 26 list you had changed the first name of one individual for instance, which, to at least me, is pretty important.

Cheers
Stig

Re: Stab./KG26
 

Regarding holding multiple appointments, not only was this possible, it was very common. Those holding acting positions frequently held another “permanent” position as well. Another common situation was where a Geschwader Stab would, out of expediency, concurrently be a regional command staff and the Kommodore would concurrently be a Fliegerführer or Kommodore of a Gefechtsverband.

The KG 2 commanders list is so similar to that published in our book that it seems unnecessary to continue regenerating those for the other units.

Larry estimates that it will take about 5 more years to deal with the remaining accessible microfilms. The effect of this could be to about double the mass of information on career histories. When that day arrives, it may be worthwhile to review the unit commanders issue again.

As I have done the work to re-generate the KG 2 data, here it is:


Stab KG 2
Oberst Dipl.Ing. Johannes Fink (01.05.39 – 1940)
Oberst Herbert Rieckhoff (21.10.40 – 1941?)
Oberst Karl Mehnert (16.10.41 – 31.12.41)
Obstlt. Paul Weitkus (RK) (12.41) – acting?
Obstlt. Dr. Georg Pasewaldt (01.01.42 – 30.04.42)
Obstlt. Hans von Koppelow (01.05.42 – 21.01.43)
Major Walter Bradel (RK) (23.01.43 – 05.05.43 )KIA
Major Karl Kessel (DKG, RK) (06.05.43 – 15.02.44)
Major Hanns Heise (DKG, RK) (25.02.44 – 11.04.44)
Major Wilhelm Rath (DKG) (12.04.44 – 22/23.05.44) MIA
Major Franz Schönberger (23.05.44 – 27.07.44)
Obstlt. Rudolf Hallensleben (DKG, RK) (07.06.44 – ?) - acting
Obstlt. Rudolf Hallensleben (DKG, RK) (14.06.44 (or 28.07.44?) - 19.09.44) – permanent

I./KG 2
Major Werner Krahl (01.05.39 – 25.11.39)
Major Martin Gutzmann (26.11.39 – 26.08.40) POW
Major Waldemar Lerche (27.08.40 – 25.08.41)
Hptm. Ketterer (03.42 – 15.06.42)
Hptm. Karl Kessel (DKG) (16.06.42 – 05.05.43)
Hptm. Franz Schönberger (06.05.43 – 06.08.44)
Hptm. Philipp von Alemann (06.08.44 – 03.10.44)


II./KG 2
Major Paul Weitkus (01.05.39 – 1940?)
Major Kurt Rohde (16.12.40 – 31.05.41)
Major Johannes Hübner (11.06.41 – 30.11.41)
Major Walter Bradel (RK) (01.12.41 – 22.01.43)
Major Heinz Engel (DKG) (01.02.43 – 25.06.44)
Hptm. Hermann Schröter (DKG) ( 26.06.44 – 03.10.44)


III./KG 2
Major Werner Kreipe (01.03.40 - 1940)
Major Adolf Fuchs (25.06.40 – 31.08.40) WIA
Major Klaus Uebe (01.09.40 – 20.03.41)
Major Friedrich Dreyer (21.03.41 - 07.04.41) KIA
Obstlt. Heinrich Conrady (09.06.41 – 20.09.41)
Hptm. Gerhard Klostermann (21.09.41 – 12.41) –provisional
Hptm. Gerhard Klostermann (22.12.41 – 15.02.42) MIA
Obstlt. Hans von Koppelow (16.02.42 – 30.04.42)
Oberst Kurt Leythaeuser (01.05.42 – 13.08.43)
Hptm. Albert Schreiweiss (DKG) (14.08.43 – 30.11.44)

IV. (Erg/KG 2
Major Johannes Hübner (22.03.41(17.04.41?) – 10.06.41)
Hptm. Martin Kästner (11.06.41 – 26.06.42)
Hptm. Helmut Powolny (27.06.42 – 31.01.43)
Major Gottfried Buchholz (DKG) (01.02.43 – 03.10.44) – provisional

V./ KG 2
Hptm. Friedrich-Wilhelm Methner (DKG) (20.06.43 – 16.07.43) MIA
Major Wolf-Dietrich Meister (17.07.43 – 10.10.43)
Hptm. Kurt Heintz (DKG, RK) (31.07.43 – 10.43) – provisional
Hptm.? Kurt Heintz (DKG, RK) (11.10.43 – 21/22.01.44) KIA
Hptm. Karl-Egon von Dalwigk zu Lichtenfels (22.01.44 – 06.02.44).

Re: Stab./KG26
 

[
IV.(Erg)/KG 1 (08.40 – 08.44).
Hptm. Herbert Lorch (10 April 1941 – 5 May 1941)
Major Werner Dahlke (6 May 1941 – 20 July 1942)
Hptm. Günter Hoffmann-Loerzer (1 August 1942 – 23 November 1942)
Major Manfred von Cossart (DKG) (24 November 1942 – 4 February 1944)
Hptm. Siegfried Freiherr von Cramm (DKG) (5 February 1944 – 31 August 1944).[/quote]

For those who are interested attached a picture of officers from Gruppenstab IV/KG 1. In the middle Major von Cossard at Schaulen airfield.

Junker
Source: Own archive