JG3 Stalingrad
 

Looking for the dates that elements of JG3, Platzschutzstaffel (airfield defence squadron), first arrived at Pitomnik and Gumrak airfields. Thank you

Re: JG3 Stalingrad
 

Hi Stephen,

According to Jochen Prien and Gerhard Stemmer in "Messerschmitt Bf 109 im Einsatz bei Stab und I./JG 3", "... II./JG 3" and "... III./JG 3":

• Stab/JG 3 was based at Pitomnik from 13 Sep - 20 Nov 1942.
• I./JG 3 was based at Pitomnik from 24 Sep - 28 Nov 1942.
• II./JG 3 was based at Pitomnik from 12 Dec - late Dec 1942, although some members stayed behind to serve in the Platzschutzstaffel (see below.)
• III./JG 3 was based at Pitomnik from 10 Sep - 22 Nov 1942.

The Platzschutzstaffel was based at Pitomnik from 19 Nov 1942 - 17 Jan 1943. Initially, it seems to have consisted of Hptm. Germeroth's 3./JG 3, but from 12 Dec 1942 onwards, it also included volunteers from II./JG 3.

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According to Christer Bergström in "Black Cross Red Star Vol. 3: Everything for Stalingrad" (Eagle Editions, 2006):

• III./JG 3 arrived at Pitomnik on September 10-11 1942 (p. 151)
• I./JG 3 arrived at Pitomnik in late September (p. 164)

I didn't see any references to Gumrak in these volumes.

Hope that helps,
Leon Venter

Re: JG3 Stalingrad
 

Leon,

Thank you very much for taking the time to compile and transmit that information. Very helpful! Clearly, Pitomnik was the main base of JG3’s operations. It’s likely, I feel, that some of the other nearby airfields/landing sites, internal and external to the pocket, Gumrak among them, saw use by JG 3 airplanes on a transitory, contingency basis. It’s also likely that such comings and goings were relatively insignificant, unrecorded outside a pilot’s flightbook.

I’ve one more question, do those references note any flight or combat activity by JG 3 over/around Stalingrad on 7 September 1942?

Best regards,
Steve

Re: JG3 Stalingrad
 

Steve,
According to Prien and Stemmer:

• On 7 Sep 1942, I./JG 3 handed over their remaining seventeen Bf 109 Fs to another Gruppe at Tusow. On the same day, the pilots were flown in some Ju 52s to Nowotscherkassk to begin conversion to the new Bf 109 G-2. After this process was completed, the 1. Staffel transferred to Pitomnik on 24 Sep, followed in the next few days by the Gruppenstab, 2. Staffel, and 3. Staffel.
• In early Sep 1942, II./JG 3 was at Königsberg-Neuhausen, converting to the Bf 109 G-2. They were combat-ready by 9 Sep, when they started relocating to Smolensk.
• In the first week of Sep 1942, III./JG 3 was stationed at Tusow. Although greatly hindered by rainy and cloudy weather, they were able to achieve 71 victories by 10 Sep, including 13 on 8 Sep and another 16 on 10 Sep. No specifics are given for their activities on 7 Sep.

I didn't find any details about JG 3 for 7 Sep 1942 in Bergström.

Regards,
Leon Venter

Re: JG3 Stalingrad
 

Leon,

Another thank you is in order. I appreciate your additional helpfulness.

V/r,
Steve