10. & 11./ZG 26-what else did they do?

[Chris Goss]

It is accepted these unit' s Ju 88C-6's primary role was daylight convoy protection. However, it has been suggested that 10./ZG 26 was from July 1943 carrying out ground-attack missions against American forces as they fought their way across Sicily, then Anzio and towards Rome. In September 1943, the Staffel was pulled back to Germany and redesignated 7./ZG 76. 11./ZG 26 then took over and was involved over Leros and Kos (but just convoy protection?) before being pulled back to Denmark in September 1944. During all of their existence, they only claimed 4 aircraft in combat and their losses are either attributed to accidents, unknown and fighters, not Flak. Does anyone have evidence of what else they did?

[Larry deZeng]

11./ZG 26 was ordered formed 16 May 1943 at Athens-Kalamaki with Ju 88 C-6's using half of 10./ZG 26 plus new assets. Primary mission was to fly escort for Axis convoys between Greece and Crete and elsewhere in the Aegean. Secondary mission was "to fly occasional attacks on Greek and Yugoslav partisans when required in support of anti-partisan operations." Operationally subordinate to X. Fliegerkorps. Moved to Athens-Eleusis in June 1943 and remained there until early September 1944.
[Sources: ULTRA DEFE 3 ML5771; NARA T-311 roll 177/f.486, 818; T-311 roll 178/f.701; T-311 roll 179/f.601, 656, 688; AirMin interrogation CSDIC AFHQ A.395 and A.398; Gen.Qu.(6.Abt.) Verlustmeldungen; LPA Luftwaffe Claims Logs for period 16.11.43 to 31.1.44.)

No mention found of the Staffel actually being used to support anti-partisan operations, but this doesn't mean it didn't occasionally do so.

L.

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Larry-accords with what I have. No mention of ground attack against Allied land forces-too dangerous! 10 Staffel appears to be doing the same but more convoy escort than counter-partisan operations