Ju 52. What does S 11 mean?
 

Hello,

I have a loss, which I have not seen before.
The matter concerns a Ju 52, Wnr. 6587, who crashed on Dec. 18, 1942 in Afrika. In GQM it says it belonged to KGr.z.b.V S 11 (Brindisi)
I have found the loss another place in this forum, but not what the S 11 means. Does anyone in here know this?

Thank you in advance,

Christian

Re: Ju 52. What does S 11 mean?
 

KGr. z.b.V. S-11
Kampfgruppe z.b.V. S-11
(Unit Code: ?)

also as: KGr. z.b.V. S.11



Formation. (Nov 42)
Formed on or about 9 November 1942 as part of KG z.b.V. "S" ("S" is for Sizilien) in response to the Allied invasion of North Africa and the German need to open a front in Tunisia. The Gruppe is believed to have had a Gruppenstab and four Staffeln (1. – 4.). Aircraft and crews were provided by the various training schools. The majority of its Ju 52s and crews came from FFS C 11 at Zeltweg/Austria.

11-12 Nov 42: transferred from Germany to Brindisi/S Italy to begin airlift operations into Tunisia. Shortly after arriving in Italy it was reassigned to KG z.b.V. “N” ("N" is for Naples) and it also appears to have moved to Reggio di Calabria near Messina at about the same time.
14 Nov 42: FFS C 11 reported a Ju 52 striking the ground near Aidone/Sicily in thick fog, 100%, 2 killed and 2 injured.
14 Nov 42: Ju 52 strafed on the ground at Fp. Tunis and caught fire, 100%.
There were 10 more loss entries for KGr. z.b.V. S-11 before it was disbanded.

Aircraft and personnel absorbed into other units and KGr. z.b.V. S-11 disbanded between 20 and 31 Dec 42.

L.

Re: Ju 52. What does S 11 mean?
 

Thank you VERY much Larry. It's highly appreciated to learn something new!!

Cheers and have a nice weekend,


Christian