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Re: Crew Chiefs and Ground Crew
Everyone has read how the famous Experts often brought their crew chiefs (and sometimes several of their ground crew) with them when they transferred to the East or West, but before Leo provided this document I don't think anyone understood how special that was. According to the document, the aircraft ground crews belonged to the airfield, not the Jagdgeschwader/staffels. (Unlike the Allied practice, the aircraft service personnel were not a part of the Jagdgeschwader or staffel, and when the pilots, planes and the small headquarters staff transferred, everyone else stayed at their home airfield.)
The incorporation of civilians as supervisors in the airfield maintenance shops/tents was also a new revelation. I wonder what THAT was like for civilians who where assigned to airfields on the Eastern Front!!
When a Jagdgeschwader arrived at a new airfield they were depending on the experience and professionalism of everyone around them: new ground crews, airfield/runway maintenance, logistics personnel, security and anti-aircraft personnel, etc. They were essentially guests at an airport!
Bronc
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