Hi,
Just a thought:
To prepare and plan an operation like Steinbock would probaby require strengthening of the staff-positions. Perhaps from the same great Larry de Zeng & Doug Stankey files some indications might be found that may point to a more specific time-frame?
A quick browse in the G-K section gives the following
information:
HÖSCHEN
, Friedhelm. 26.08.41 Oblt., appt Staka 2./JG 51 (to 04.42). 04.42 appt Staka
2./Jagdfliegervorschule 2. 09.11.42 Oblt., appt Staka 2./JFS 6 (to 19.03.43). 29.03.43 trf from JG 2 to Stab/Angriffsfuhrer England. 01.07.43 in Stab/Angriffsfuhrer England, promo to Hptm. †08.05.44.
KLUGE
, Rolf. 03.10.39 Oblt., in 3./Ausb.Abt.d.Lfl.Nachr.Schule 2. 10.04.43 Hptm. in Stab Hoh.Nafu/Luftflotte 3, trf to Stab Nafu/Angriffsfuhrer England. 01.08.43 promo to Maj.(A 1/Ln.) (RDA later advanced to 01.04.42?). 25.09.43 Maj. in Stab/IX. Fliegerkorps, trf to Stab Hoh.Nafu/Luftflottenkdo. 3. 10.44 Maj. and Hoh. Nafu 3/5 in Stab Hoh. Nafu/Lw.-Kdo. West. 01.45 Maj. and acting Kdr. II./Ln.-Rgt. 237. 02.45 Maj., trf to Nafu/I. Jagdkorps. 13.03.45 appt Nafu/9. Fliegerdivision (J) (to 04.45).
KNEMEYER
, Siegfried. (DOB: 05.04.09 in Ellerbusch). (W.B.K. Berlin X). (R,DKG). 04.40 in 4.(F)./Aufkl.Gr. Ob.d.L. 06.40 in 3.(F)/Aufkl.Gr. Ob.d.L. 04.41 Oblt. and Techn.Offz.(Ib) in Stab/Fliegerfuhrer Irak. 08.05.41 Oblt., in Aufkl.Gr. Ob.d.L. 27.07.42 Hptm., awarded DKG, 4./Aufkl.Gr.Ob.d.L. 09.42 Chef d.AmtsgruppeFlugzeugentwicklung in GL (Generalluftzeugmeister) (to 15.11.44?).05.05.43 Hptm. (Kr.O.) with Versuchsverband Ob.d.L., trf to Stab/Angriffsfuhrer England (to 01.08.43).
25.05.43 assigned new RDA of 01.02.40 for Hptm. 01.07.43 promo to Maj. (Kr.O./Fl.). 01.08.43 trf to Adjutantur des Reichmarschall/RLM. 29.08.43 Maj., awarded Ritterkreuz for service as Kdr. Aufkl.Gr.Ob.d.L. 18.10.43 Obstlt. and Techn.Offz. beim Ob.d.L. (also as: T.O. beim Reichsmarschall). 26.03.45 Oberst, Chef Hochfrequenz d.Lw./Generalnachrichtenfuhrer in OKL. †11.04.79 in USA.
Just 2 cents or more?
(Still looking for Siegfried Knemeyer information)