[Doug Stankey]

The following is a summary of commanders in KG 1 according to our current database. Comparison with those listed in our “Bomber Units of the Luftwaffe” show only a few minor differences.


If my review of KG 2 commanders shows a similar trend of little or no change I will stop further reviewing of the other units.


Stab/KG 1 (05.39 – 08.44)
Gen.Major Ulrich Otto Eduard Kessler (1 May 1939 – December 1939).
Oberst Ernst Exss (RkHS) (18 December 1939 – 15 July 1940).
Oberst Josef Kammhuber (12 July 1940 – July 1940)
Oberst Karl Angerstein (RkHS, RK) (1 August 1940 - ?)
Major Herbert Lorch (DKG) (2 March 1942 – 30 June 1942) – acting?
Obstlt. Paul Schemmel (30 June 1942 (18 July 1942?) – 13 August 1942) MIA
Major Hans Keppler (DKG, RK) (20 August 1942 – 3 September 1942) KIA
Major Heinrich Lau (DKG) (12 September 1942 – December 1942) – provisional
Major Heinrich Lau (DKG) (9 December 1942 – 18 March 1943) - permanent
Major Horst von Riesen (19 March 1943 – 31 August 1943) - provisional
Major Horst von Riesen (1 September 1943 – 31 August 1944) – permanent

I./KG 1 (1. formation 05.39 – 04.41)
Obstlt. Robert Krauss (1 May 1939 – October 1939).
Hptm. Hermann Crone (13 September 1940 – 19 December 1940) –acting?
Hptm. Walther Herbold (20 December 1940 – 23 March 1941)
Major Wather Herbold (? – 24 March 1942 - ?) ?

I./KG 1 (2. formation 06.42 – 08.44)
Obstlt. Hellmuth Schalke (8 June 1942 – 8 July 1942)
Major Werner Dahlke (DKG) (9 July 1942 – 26 June 1943)

II./KG 1 ( 09.39 – 09.44)
Major Benno Kosch ( September 1939 – 7 September 1940) WIA
Hptm. Otto Stamms (7 September 1940 – January 1941) – acting?
Major Otto Stamms (January 1941 – 27 June 1941) WIA
Hptm. Emil Enderle (July 1941 – 3 November 1941) MIA
Major Werner Dahlke (November 1941 – January 1942) – acting?
Major Herbert Lorch (DKG) (January 1942 – August 1942)
Hptm. Heinz Laube (DKG) (August 1942 – 8 December 1942) KIA
Major Horst von Riesen (21 January 1943 – 17 March 1943) - provisional
Major Günther Dörffel (1 April 1943 – 1 July 1943) – KIA 6 July 1943
Oblt. Klaus Mohr (DKG) (July 1943 – 12 August 1943) MIA –acting?
Hptm. Martin Rohrdantz (24 September 1943 – 25 August 1944)

III./KG 1 (1. formation, 12.39 – 05.44)
Major Otto Schnelle (15 December 1939 – 10 May 1940) KIA
Major Hans Steinweg (10 May 1940 – 22 June 1940) – acting?
Major Willibald Fanelsa (22 June 1940 – 27 August 1940) POW
Hptm. Hans Fischer (10 September 1940 – 11 April 1941) MIA
Major Walter Lehwess-Litzmann (April 1941 – October 1941)
Hptm.Major Hans Keppler (November 1941 – 19 August 1942)
Hptm. Manfred von Cossart (DKG) (August 1942 – September 1942) – acting
Major Werner Kanther (DKG) (October 1942 – 1 April 1944)

III./KG 1 (2. formation, 05.44 – 08.44)
Hptm. Hans-Gotthelf von Kalckreuth (DKG) (31 May 1944 – 25 August 1944)

IV.(Erg)/KG 1 (08.40 – 08.44).
Hptm. Herbert Lorch (10 April 1941 – 5 May 1941)
Major Werner Dahlke (6 May 1941 – 20 July 1942)
Hptm. Günter Hoffmann-Loerzer (1 August 1942 – 23 November 1942)
Major Manfred von Cossart (DKG) (24 November 1942 – 4 February 1944)
Hptm. Siegfried Freiherr von Cramm (DKG) (5 February 1944 – 31 August 1944).