Quote:
Originally Posted by Seaplanes
As late as mid June 1943 the term Aufklärungsfliegerstaffel was still used.
Quote:
Genst.Gen.Qu. 2.Abt. 9036/43 g.kdos. v. 12.6.43:
Gem.o.a. Bezug wird mit sofortiger Wirkung Aufkl.Fl.St. 1/125 aufgestellt.
The reorganisation of the seaplane units was first ordered by Genst.Gen.Qu. 2.Abt. Nr. 9281/43 gKdos. (IIA) v. 5.7.43
when Aufklärungsfliegergruppen became Seeaufklärungsgruppen.
For the units in Norway this reorganisation did not take place until 10.8.43.
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Your statement in green is not in dispute. I agree with it. It seems clear from the accumulated evidence that May and June 1943 were a "transitional" period for the Gruppen and Staffeln affected by the reorganization. Some were using the new designations and some were not. Some were using the new designations some of the time but not all of the time during those two months. Here are several additional citations to throw into the pot, so to speak.
ULTRA Intercepts:
08.06.43: 2./Seeaufklärungsgruppe 125 reported 12 x Ar 196s on strength at Suda Bay (ML5771). The Staffel identified itself with that designation.
Gen.Qu.(6.Abt.) Verlustmeldungen:
29.05.43: Ar 196 shot up and damaged 35% charged to 1./Seeaufkl.Gr. 126.
Published Sources:
08.06.43 (give or take a day or two) is given as the formation date for 1.(F)/SAGr. 128 (Kurowski p.248 and S.Neitzel p.194).
So, as I stated previously, there seems to have been some flexibility in the use of the new designations once the notifications went out.
L.