'LB' in Flugbuch
 

Hi guys

I have a typed summary of flights that was created in 1944 for an airman recommended for the Knight's Cross and drawn from his Flugbuch. Several entries start with the abbreviation 'LB'. Although he was from a reconnaissance unit I am assuming this is short for 'Luftbomben'. Examples are:

'LB. Leningrad u. Kronstadt (Angriff) Flugplätze, Flak u. Jägerä

'LB. der Ladogaseeflotte u. Schiffsverkehr in der Wolchowmündung, Überwachung des Hafens Leningrad, schwere Flak und Jäger'

'LB. Kronstadt u. Leningrad, Newa Flak'

Would you agree 'LB' is for 'Luftbomben'?

Thanks for the help.

Re: 'LB' in Flugbuch
 

Hi Tim,

'Luftbomben' makes no sense for me. I think it could be 'Luftraumbeobachtung' or Airspace Observing. This would be a connection to a recco unit. Only a idea.

Rgds,
Kaczmarek

Re: 'LB' in Flugbuch
 

Thanks Kaczmarek. That makes a lot of sense. I am slightly confused by the 'Angriff' in brackets in the first entry quoted. Have you any thoughts on this?

Thanks for the help.

Re: 'LB' in Flugbuch
 

Hi Tim,

Perhaps the crew flew on observing mission in connection with a attack on Leningrad and Kronstadt airfields. To the documentation of the effect of the attack. Reported of flak and fighter activity.

Rgds,
Kaczmarek

Re: 'LB' in Flugbuch
 

LB means Lichtbild or lichtgebildet- ie photograph or photographed

Re: 'LB' in Flugbuch
 

Thank you very much Kaczmarek and Andrei.

Another term used is 'Gefechtsaufklärung'. Is that best translated as 'battle reconnaissance' or 'armed reconnaissance'.

Thank you for all the help.

Re: 'LB' in Flugbuch
 

Yes, battle reconnaissance (My understanding this is the German term for Tactical Reconnaissance). Armed reconnaissance = bewaffnete Aufklärung

Re: 'LB' in Flugbuch
 

Thank you Andrei. That is really helpful.

Re: 'LB' in Flugbuch
 

Actually LB is Luftbild.

Regards,
Norbert

Re: 'LB' in Flugbuch
 

Norbert S. is correct, according to:

[British Air Ministry] Manual of German Air Force Terminology. German - English. Administrative and General Terms. London: n.d. (but either 1945 or 1946). See Part VI: Abbreviations, p.46.

L.