Luftwaffe nightmissions at September 1st, 1940
 

Dear friends,

At September 1st, 1940 the Luftwaffe has made four large-scale attacks at Great Britain. Three during the day, one at about 10.30 hours, one at about 13.00 hours and the last at about 17.30 hours. During the night Liverpool was bombed again and diversion flights were made to the Midlands and South Wales.
I have not been able to find out which Luftwaffe units where involved in these night operations. Where can I find this information?
In the Battle of Britain Then and Now Vol. 1? But I have no access to this book. Who can help?

Jaap

Re: Luftwaffe nightmissions at September 1st, 1940
 

Hi Jaap:

Interestingly, Neither The Battle Of Britain Now and Then, Mk II or The Blitz Now and Then, Volume I mention any Luftwaffe units. KGr 100 had 2 crash-landings that day--no time listed. Since they were specializing in night operations at that time, perhaps they were active over Britain.

Re: Luftwaffe nightmissions at September 1st, 1940
 

John,

Thanks, indeed K.Gr. 100 was active during this night.
Balke says in Kampfgeschwader 100 "Wiking":"6 He 111 der K.Gr. 100 griffen am 1./2.09. nach dem Sonderverfahren Hafenanlagen in Birkenhead an. Weitere 6 Besatzungen flogen gegen Ausweichziele in Plymouth, Cardiff, Swansea und Liverpool." But 12 planes is not an "Grossangriff" in my opinion and they must have been the pathfinders for the others.
KG 2 was not active during that day, according to Balke, KG 53 has no losses during that night.
Were planes of the 9.Fliegerdivision maybe involved?

Jaap

Re: Luftwaffe nightmissions at September 1st, 1940
 

I have the following KG losses for the 1st:

III./KG 27
I./KG 76
III./KG 76
I./KG 77
III./LG 1

But I'm have no means of determining if they were at night.

Regards,

Norbert

Re: Luftwaffe nightmissions at September 1st, 1940
 

Swansea was attacked by I, II, III/LG1, I & III/KG 27, KG 606, KG 806, KGr 100.
Bristol/Avonmouth/Portishead was attacked by I, II, III/KG 51 & I & III/KG 55
I/KG 27 attacked Portmouth; III/KG 27 Portland, KG 100 went for Plymouth, Cardiff, Liverpool and even a He 111 from Stab/StG 3 was involved that night

Re: Luftwaffe nightmissions at September 1st, 1940
 

KG 51 flew first night mission against Liverpool harbour on 29-Aug-40. KGr. 100 acted as pathfinders. For what it is worth.

Norbert

Re: Luftwaffe nightmissions at September 1st, 1940
 

On 29 Jun 40, a crew from Stab II/KG 51 attacked Plymouth at night, again against Southampton 20 Jul 40, Liverpool 28 Aug 40 and yes, Liverpool 29 Aug 40

Re: Luftwaffe nightmissions at September 1st, 1940
 

Dear All

It looks like KG 1 was the pre-noon attack bomber unit and KG 76 stood for the early afternoon raid. I have however failed to find out anything about the bomber unit involved in the late afternoon raid. Anyone?

Cheers
Stig

Re: Luftwaffe nightmissions at September 1st, 1940
 

Some additional information found at http://fishponds.org.uk/

SEPTEMBER 1940
01/02: Target - Bristol; 31 dispatched, 21 attacked Bristol, 5 Avonmouth, 4 Portishead, 1 local alternative.
I/KG 55, Dreux, 9 He 111, 20.15 - 21.05 hrs with 12 SC 250, 6 SC 250 LZZ, 36 SC 50, 9 Flam 250 (Portishead 2, Avonmouth 2).
III/KG 55, Villacoublay, 10 He 111, 21.15 hrs - 22.00 hrs with 10 SC 250 LZZ, 8 SC 50, 10 Flam 250 (Portishead 1, Avonmouth 2).
I/KG 51, Melun, 4 Ju 88, 23.15 - 23.45 hrs with 10 SC 250, 10 Flam 250 (Portishead 1, Avonmouth 1, SL S. of Bristol 1).
II/KG 51, Orly, 6 Ju 88, 22.15 - 23.15 hrs with 3 SC 500, 10 SC 250, 3 Falm 250.
III/KG 51, Etamps, 2 Ju 88, 03.15 - 03.30 hrs with 3 SC 500, 10 SC 50, 4 Flam 250.

Jaap