Luftwaffe transports in Crete
 

I wonder if there is anybody that knows anything about how many transports the Luftwaffe possessed in the battle of Crete? I have seen numbers varying from 450 to 600 JU 52s.

Re: Luftwaffe transports in Crete
 

If you want details of the operation you should consult the 'Air war for Yugoslavia, Greece and Crete'. According to this book XI Fliegerkorps operated ten Gruppen with 520 Ju52/3m's. The book also has a table for the losses suffered from all causes between 20/5 and 31/5; these were 79 destroyed, 38 written off and 125 damaged.

Regards

Steve Pegge

Re: Luftwaffe transports in Crete
 

Thanks for the quick reply. So if I understand it correct Luftwaffe lost 117 Ju 52s and had a further 125 damaged? Allmost 50% losses...

Pat

Re: Luftwaffe transports in Crete
 

That's what the table says; the damaged aircraft were repaired, but 117 Ju52/3m's (more than 22% of the force) were lost. The breakdown of losses is as follows;

Aerial combat/AAA- 52 destroyed, 10 written off, 49 damaged
Bombing attacks- 8 destroyed, 3 written off, 9 damaged
Accidents- 19 destroyed, 25 written off, 67 damaged

The aircraft included in the accident totals includes many that were destroyed/written off/damaged whilst landing at the newly captured Maleme airfield.

Either way it was a costly operation for the transport units of IX Fliegerkorps as well as for the parachutists they carried.

Regards

Steve

Re: Luftwaffe transports in Crete
 

I think i am right in saying that the losses of the JU52's over Crete gave serious transport problems to Germany for the remainder of the war, losses that were never ever recovered.
On another note, if you ever visit Crete go visit the old chap up in the mountains ( in all the guide books ) he has a great collection of relics from the battle...most ordanance Live !!! including AA shells so do not touch.
As you walk up his steps you are greated by a JU87 engine with prop and a complete tail from a JU52 he found !!!!!