KG 40 Combat History
 

Just seeing if there is interest? Would have to cover I Gruppe (Fw 200, He 177), II Gruppe (He 111, Do 217, He 177), III Gruppe (He 111 Fw 200) and V Gruppe (Ju 88) operations with a note to the part played by IV Gruppe (He 111, Fw 200, He 177, Ju 88). Big project but would it be worth the effort?

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

Yes, there is interest!!!

(Would you like my money now?)

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

I wonder how much of KG 40's original documentation is extant at BA-MA, i.e., KTB'er, Anlagen, usw.? There are numerous ADI(K) and CSDIC P/W interrogations, ULTRA intercepts and the like, but would that be sufficient? Would it be possible to rustle up an arm full of KG 40 air crew wartime letters home and personal diaries?

L. deZ.

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

I'll second that!

Regards,
Leon Venter

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

Who should I transfer my money too?
(I'd buy it)

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

Very interested!

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

Well you have already written some wonderful books with KG40 as backdrop, including the big Conder one, and the superb story of the Bloody Biscay.
This book would be a fitting memorial for all those intrepid young KG40 pilots, of whom many would perish in the wild Atlantic Ocean….

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

Hi Chris,

Loved your book on the condor. So count me in for a copy.
Kind regards,

Dirk

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

Count me in!

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

Very interested!
I have already Bloody Biskay, for me great coverage of V/KG40 and the Condor book.
I only hope that will be new material to feed a new book

Alessandro

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

Sign me up. :)

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

What would be its style? A straight combat chronicle or would it feature verbatim personal accounts and describe non-combat life in the unit too (for example, issues like fighting spirit, disciplinary issues, personnel evaluations) ? For example, like Urbanke's Green Hearts or the JG 300 set?

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

Thanks all-quite promising for consideration.

Larry: I have asked around and it would appear that anything at BA/MA has probably been discovered but you never know and I bow to those with better knowledge.

Jukka: I am afraid that when I contacted aircrew 30 or so years ago, all that I asked was combat experiences and today regret that I (and others) did not ask more. The only exception was 1./JG 53 and at the reunions, they freely told me what it was like after missions, what they did, what they thought of various people hence the explanation of Kanalkrankheit etc etc. So in answer to your point, I am afraid the answer is no and in any case would have made the book a massive undertaking

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

I would be very interested and would definitely purchase a copy

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

Jukka, if you are interested in that side of unit life then I really recommend downloading some RAF Squadrons' Operations Record Books (Summary of Events) from the National Archives (it's free at the moment). They differ unit-to-unit and it seems the diarists had a lot of freedom but for many the films shown and the football matches played seem to rank equal in importance to the fighting. In one sense this is amusing but it does all illustrate just how people dealt with service life, particularly when posted overseas for long periods.

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

Count me in!

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

I gladly purchase a copy too

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

Chris,

I would buy a book on bricks from you :) Count me in.

Best regards,

Marcel

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

Count me in as well

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

I see Chandos publications has just announced on FB that they have signed two new books...one of which is a comprehensive history of KG40! Now I wonder who could possibly be the author......... ;)

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

haha the cat is out of the bag!

keeping it pretty low key at the moment, but yes I am happy to say that Chris will be writing the book for me, very pleased and excited! I will make an official announcement in due course.

www.chandospublications.co.uk

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

Great news!

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

Another must buy, look forward to it.

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

I want one!

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

I will buy one now....

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

For those interested, initial draft including appendices is finished-77,000 words and covers Fw 200, Do 217, He 177, Ju 88 and He 111 operations. It does not cover Me 262 as this did not come to fruition in 1945. Also covers IV Gruppe training losses. Before anyone asks there is no complete loss list as this would make the book massive. If anyone has any new information, please get in touch as I do not have to deliver until August 2024. Will admit pulling all together was both fascinating and satisfying.

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

Looking forward to this book!
My father's cousin flew in FW200 with KG 40. If I recall correctly he said that all crew members on the Condor were trained to fill in any station (in an emergency) on the plane, the pilot's included. Is my memory correct or am I experiencing a "senior moment"?

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

For a gunner to be a qualified pilot would be highly improbable. Yes, there were two pilots and sometimes two BOs and I have one logbook for a BM who sometimes flew but to say all were cross trained was not true

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

Thank you for clearing that up!

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

I have emailed you Chris but a Facebook page (German Luftwaffe Losses and Claims 1936 - 1945) has a great post on there from a collector who has bought an estate of a KG40 pilot with over 400 flights on the Condor. He was involved in a dogfight with a Sunderland and was supposedly shotdown by a Beaufighter on 17 Sep 1942 in FW200 F8+AS.

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

I wonder if the pilot was Ofw Konrad Bär shot down by 235 Sqn? If he had 400 flights, he never received any major awards

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

For those who might be interested, 85,000 word first draft delivered. Around 400-450 photos now need to be selected and captioned by August this year. I will keep all informed of developments

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

Great work Chris, I thought you had been quiet! Really looking forward to it :)

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

hello Chris,

I wonder if I might ask a sneaky question?

On the morning of 15 Jan 1943, Maj Gen Devers, US Army and entourage make a force landing in Ireland aft an overnight flight from Gibraltar. They had gotten very list and ran low on fuel.

Irish Army officers on inspecting the B-17 Flying Fortress, 41-9045 said they found 'two bullet holes and 'some empty ammo. shells and a note in the plane apparently decoded which read "Enemy Actions.

I wondered, would you know roughly accurately, what if any activity the Luftwaffe made that morning/night which might indicate any chance of an engagement?

None of the statements recorded in American sources, including two witness statements and the co-pilots book in later years mention anything about being under attack.

I feel the presence of shells might just be the result of air testing the bombers guns coming out of Gibraltar. The holes and note, I've no clue but thats not

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

Dennis: Almost missed this. Nothing I can see in German records for 15 and 16 Jan 43 and the only mention of Allied aircraft was PM 15 Jan

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

No worries Chris, thanks for that.

That's just what I was after.

Re: KG 40 Combat History
 

Update. 84,000 words text, so far 550 photos with an aim of over 600. Appendices-Genesis, Executive officers, RK, DKiG, Air Combat Claims, Experten, EKM, aircraft flown and the full account of the attack on 26 Nov 43 in the words of the pilot who sank the Rohna. Trying to use as many new photos. There was a thought of a full loss list but this would make the book much, much bigger. Editing starts in August