Sturmgruppen
 

If the experiment of Sturmstaffel 1 was as successful as to catch the eye of Galland and Göring (particularly after Oschersleben), why only three Sturmgruppen were set up?
It certainly was not the shortage of Fw 190s as the output reached new heights (over 5,000 A-8s and A-9s delivered between June and December 1944).
So what?
Lack of confidence in this new method?
Did the Sturflieger clash with Galland's concept of the "großer Schlag", while he was building up reserves to strike a big blow at the 8th Air Force?

Thanks.

Chris

Re: Sturmgruppen
 

Hello,

I was looking if you would be the author of the article about the Sturmflieger in the next issue of Aero Journal, look like I have my answer :).

For your questions, I have no definitive answer but here's some hints :
The Fieseler's aircraft factories in Kassel that was producing the Fw 190 A-8/R2 was bombed numerous time during Spring and Summer 1944 and greatly reduced the production. Also the Rüstzustand 2, as implied by its name, is a factory modification and the replacement of 20 mm cannons by 30 mm ones was not a quick action (it would be also good to check the production figures of the MK 108).
Also we know some Gruppen of JG 301 were trained to Sturmgruppe tactics but used "classic" Fw 190s.

Re: Sturmgruppen
 

Maybe the reason was the danger by P-51s. Yes Sturmgruppen sometimes achieved great victories, but they also suffered great defeats when intercepted away from the bombers. And even victories were bloody.

Also Sturmgruppen will need one or two Gruppen equiped with "normal" fighters as escorts. One Sturmgruppen by Geschwader was probably the most that can be as safely escorted as possible.

You also have to take in account that when transforming in Sturmgruppe, each unit was withdrawn and should train in the new tactic (and probably too to fly the far more heavier aircraft).

And then you have to wonder if the Sturmgruppen were in the end more efficient than other Fw 190 units. For exemple, JG 1, with no Sturmgruppe, claimed 28 B-17s and B-24s on 21 and 26 November 1944 (with one Gruppe on first date and two on second).