[Larry deZeng]

Here is all I have, Peter:

KGr. z.b.V. S-7
Kampfgruppe z.b.V. S-7
(Unit Code: ?)

also as: KGr. z.b.V. S.7

Formation. (Nov 42)
Formed on or about 9 November 1942 as part of KG z.b.V. "S" in response to the Allied invasion of North Africa and the German need to open a front in Tunisia. The Gruppe had a Gruppenstab and four Staffeln (1. – 4.). A few of the Ju 52s assigned to 3. Staffel came from KGr. z.b.V. 105 while the remainder bore factory codes and mainly came from various FFS C and BFS schools particularly FFS C 7 at Finsterwalde.

Central Mediterranean. (Nov 42 - Jan 43)
Nov 42: transferred immediately to Reggio di Calabria/12 km SE of Messina and assigned to KG z.b.V "S" for airlift operations to Tunisia. Shortly after arrival it was reassigned to KG z.b.V. “N” without a change of station, retaining Reggio as its permanent base until it was disbanded, although most of its transport missions were staged through airfields in western Sicily.
12 Nov 42: Ju 52 force landed in the sea off Trapani/W Sicily, 100%, crew safe.
13 Nov 42: Ju 52 (C6+AZ) reported missing on flight from Trapani to Tunis, 100%, 5 MIA. (Possibly an aircraft formerly belonging to KGr. z.b.V. 600).
19 Nov 42: Ju 52 reported by FFS C 7 bombed on the ground at Tunis, 100%, 2 WIA.
…………………….plus 11 more loss entries...………………….
Kommandeur:
Maj. Josef Grons (c. 9 Nov 42 - 11 Dec 42)
Maj. Herbert Heyer (12 Dec 42 - c. 31 Jan 43)


KGr. z.b.V. 13
Kampfgruppe z.b.V. 13
(Unit Code: ?)

Formation doubtful. The only reference to this Gruppe is in F.Morzik-German Air Force Airlift Operations, page 405. No mention of it has been found elsewhere. According to Morzik, it was ordered formed on or about 8 November 1942 as part of the provisional transport force assembled to haul troops, equipment and supplies from S Italy and Sicily to Tunisia and then disbanded in December. In all probability, the Gruppe’s formation was never completed or perhaps even started. The intended Kommandeur was a Hptm. or Maj. Müller. No entries for it were found in the GenQu.(6.Abt.) Loss Reports. Perhaps someone know more.


L.