Channel Dash
 

Can anyone definitively confirm any naval air units involved in the Channel Dash? Various KTBs I have access to are rather vague and unhelpful.

Thanks in advance

Re: Channel Dash
 

Hello Adam,

I am far from an expert on the subject Channel Dash, but I remember to have read about it in Adolf Gallands wellknown 'The first and the last'. I know also from my Nachtjagd research, that nighfighters (mainly II./NJG 1 and I./NJG 1) were involved for 'Begleitschutz' along the Belgian, Dutch, northwest German and Danish coastline during the dark hours between day and night.

However, I have hardly any recollections about naval air units, but that might origin from my obsession with nightfighting. Which units were you thinking of and were this fit for such protective operations?

All the best, Marcel / Venlo

Re: Channel Dash
 

Hi Marcel,
I was thinking perhaps of elements of KFlGr 406 or 906 - certainly any He 115 equipped Staffeln, but those two specifically.
cheers
Adam

Re: Channel Dash
 

Don Caldwell's "The JG 26 War Diary, Volume 1" details the involvement of JG 26 and JG 2.

Re: Channel Dash
 

There is a photo album at BA-MA Freiburg RL10/706 which contains some NJG 1 photos captioned to be from "sondereinsatz Februari" as well as a map showing the units movement.

In Classic Colours Luftwaffe Colours Jagdwaffe Volume four section 1 there is a two-page short story covering the channel dash. Only focusing on the fighters. Units JG 1, JG 2 and JG 26 are mentioned as involved.

Re: Channel Dash
 

Hi Adam, Not Naval i'm afraid, but 1./(F)123 were also involved in "The Dash" as can be seen from the image attached. Sorry about poor quality of this copy but I hope it helps your research a little.

Kind regards,

Melvin

www.aircrewremembrancesociety.com

Re: Channel Dash
 

Thanks to all for the input. I know of the land-based support but am yet to conclusively tie any maritime units to the operation.

Re: Channel Dash
 

I have never come across anything that point to participation of Seeflieger-units in this operation.

Junker

Re: Channel Dash
 

Hello all,

by coincidence therte´s an article ´bout "Unternehmen Donnerkeil/Cerberus" in Flugzeug Classic Jahrbuch 2013.
There´s mentioned that in the phase before the chanel dash took place, there was a short periode of training (between around 22nd and 29th Jan.) with Marine and Luftwaffe units. Just to make sure cooperation is running well.
In this time there was a Rotte of Ar 196s from Küflgr. 406 flying the morning and evening patrol to protect the ships.
It is not mentioned wether this unit was involved in the actual chanel dash.

Schoene Gruesze

Norbert

Re: Channel Dash
 

Interesting. I wonder where Kü.Fl.Gr. 406 got the Ar 196s from? It did not have a single one according the monthly strength returns on the Michael Holm site nor is there mention of any in my fairly extensive notes.

L.

Re: Channel Dash
 

Larry,

i was just quoting what autor Dietmar Hermann was writing.
As source he gives between two rather well known books the "Erfahrungsbericht über Vorbereitung und Durchführung des Unternehmens Donnerkeil" by Max Ibel 11. - 13.2.42.

All the best

Norbert

Re: Channel Dash
 

Ibel's article was written back in the late 50's or early 60's, IIRC, and appeared in one of the early German military history journals. I don't believe he had access to the archive documents back then because they were still in England and in the United States. So some of what he wrote may have been based more on memory than on solid documented sources. I could be wrong, of course.

IBEL, Max-Josef. (DOB: 02.01.96 in Munich). (R). WWI served with the Fliegertruppe. 01.10.32 promo to Hptm. 01.08.28 trf to the secret base at Lipezk/Russia for training. 1932-33 in Fliegerschule Stahr. 01.04.34 trf from the Heer to the Luftwaffe with a rank of Hptm. and assigned to JFS Schleissheim as an instructor. 01.03.35 trf to RLM. 01.11.35 promo to Maj. 15.05.36 staff and instructor duties at JG 134 Dortmund, incl. Staka of 1. and 3./JG 232, and at BFS Celle. 01.12.36 appt Staka in JG 232 Bernburg. 01.03.37 appt Kdr. I./JG 135. 01.06.38 promo to Obstlt. 01.11.38 Kdr. I./JG 135, appt Kommodore JG 231 (to 01.05.39). 01.05.39 appt Kommodore JG 3 (to 26.09.39). 01.10.39 appt Kommodore JG 27 (to 14.10.40). 21.07.40 promo to Oberst. 22.08.40 awarded Ritterkreuz, Kommodore JG 27. 12.10.40 appt Kdr. JFS 4 (to 05.06.41). 06.06.41 appt Jagdfliegerführer 3 (to 30.11.42). 01.12.42 appt Höh.Jagdfliegerführer West (to 14.09.43). 15.09.43 assigned to Führerreserve OKL. 01.10.43 appt Kdr. 2. Jagddivision (to 31.12.44). 01.01.44 promo to Gen.Maj. 01.01.45 trf to Fhr.-Res. OKL. 16.02.45 appt Inspekteur für Strahlereinsatz beim Bevollmachtigter für Strahlereinsatz (to 05.05.45). 05.05.45 into U.S. (and later British) captivity, later internment. 04.03.48 released from Allied custody. 01.10.57 joined the Bundeswehr and appt Kdr. 1. Luftverteidigungsdivision. 30.09.61 retired. †19.03.81 in München.

Re: Channel Dash
 

Norbert and Larry,

Many thanks for this further information. I will see if I can hunt down a vopy of the article mentioned.
thanks
Adam

Re: Channel Dash
 

Maybe Wehrwissenschaftliche Rundschau? That's a reach because I am trying to remember something from 35 years ago, but it might help narrow the field a bit.

L