[Andy Mitchell]

Nick,

Thanks for the clarification regarding the unit/operation name.

I have done some googling and come up with very little on Bienenstock. However, Bienenstock is mentioned in several references alongside the Rammkommando Elbe. The idea behind both appearing to be credited to Hajo Hermann...

Mention of Elbe took me to Adrian Weir's book "The Last Flight of the Luftwaffe". here there are some comments on pages 175 and 177 about the origins and intentions of Bienenstock.

Apparently to carry out operations against US airfields in Italy from where raids against the airfields used by the Luftwaffe's jet aircraft were being conducted. These attacks were originally intended to complement the Rammkommando operations and be one spectacular assault on the airfields rather than what appears to have been piecemeal operations frittering away scant resources.

Weir also indicates that Hermann was also instructed to use the Bienenstock forces to operate against Soviet supply lines in an attempt to slow their advance - presumably against Berlin.

Weir notes flights from Pocking on 25 and 28 Apr 1945 and operations against the Donau crossings.

Larry,

Found several references to Saft's book.

You mentioned that Maj. Otto Köhnke (c.16 Apr 45 - 8 May 45) was Kdr of Totenkopf - do you have any notes on his previous history?

Ed,

A visit to my local library may be in order.