Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry deZeng
This is just speculation, but it is increasingly likely that II./53 was using Korowje Selo as an Ausweichsflugplatz that missions were launched from while the Gruppe's rear echelons remained back at Krussicha until they could effect a full transfer. This is a tiny detail that Prien may have missed. There is/was a road from Korowje Selo to Porkhov.
|
Thanks for that Larry.
Your speculation makes a lot of sense. Consider that 18 Army launched an attack north of lake Vornu to encircle the Soviets at Tartu from the north on 17 July. It had already begun to rain on the 14th but the rain was so heavy at times that the attack was halted on 19th. On the 14th LVI Panzer Corps is encircled at Soltsy so all air support was committed to help them out. The VVS made a major effort here. The weather was clear and hot (32 C). So it is logical to pull II./JG 53 back to Korowje Selo rather than just let them sit in the rain. Now XLI panzer Corps had taken two bridge heads on the Luga river on 14 July and were attacked heavily by the VVS from the 14th to the 18th of July, during those 4 days they recieved no Luftwaffe air support. Again the weather here was clear and hot, so I am assuming the encirclement of LVI Panzer corps drew the bulk of FliegerKorps I's efforts.