IV.KG54

[RT]

Was this unit activ over Malta in march 1942 ??? there is a loss on 23.

Remi

[RudiS]

Interesting, Radtke only mentions a loss for 3, 5 & 6./KG 54 on that date. Could you give us some more info on that loss?

IV./KG 54 operated from Grottaglie from March 1st 1942 till May 19th 1943 so I presume they operated over Malta, the Mediteranian & North Africa during that time.

I'm in the office right now, but I'll have a look when I'm at home this evening if I can find something specific for that date.

Kind regards,
Rudi.

[RT]

Maybe under the KSG2 they reported some losses at that time, but no in action..
In fact many things led me to think that a big batch of losses are missing for that period in the med. Aera, part. over Malta ...

Any info welcomed

Remi

[RudiS]

Remi,

neither Radtke reports any action of IV./KG54 against Malta nor does Henry L. de Zeng & Douglas G. Stankey (Bomber Units of the Luftwaffe Vol 1) on this date.

Are you sure this was a IV./KG 54 loss?

What is your source of info?

Kind regards,
Rudi.

[RT]

Ultra could hv mispelled IV. for 4.KG54, but first the II.KG54 was not in the area at that time , second it gave the Kz B3+.U , third if you want to write a book , I submit you the Malta-case it could revealed some surprises.

Other possibility, some crews with their planes in stage at Grosseto, could hv the "chance" to test their new knowledge

But interpretation of message heard by the brits could also be wrong

.....

Remi

[RudiS]

Remi,

none of the KG 54 Staffeln used the code U as far as I know.

Staf I = B
1 Staffel = H
2 Staffel = K
3 Staffel = L

Staf II = C
4 Staffel = M
5 Staffel = N
6 Staffel = P

Staf III = D
7 Staffel = R
8 Staffel = S
9 Staffel = T

Staf IV = E
10 Staffel = X
11 Staffel = Y
12 Staffel = Z

But I could be wrong, of course.

Kind regards,
Rudi.

[RT]

The case darken...

[RT]

Could be with this Kz , having the U at the end the 10.ZG26... but no losses for that unit on 23.

Remi

[obdl3945]

Hi...

Sorry in advance if I'm wrong, but I think Rudi's Gruppe/Staffel listings have 'jumped' a Gruppe. The list shows IV. Gruppe Stab letter E, but with the V.Gruppe Staffel details, X, Y & Z.

The 'standard' IV.Gruppe would have had 'E' as Stab letter, but U, V, & W as the respective 10. 11. & 12.Staffel letters.

I would be the first to admit, though, that nothing was so 'cast in stone' with the Luftwaffe that there were no anomalies!

Regards...

Paul

[RudiS]

Hi Paul,

KG 54 never had more then 4 Gruppen. In Radtke's loss list, the Staffeln of IV./KG 54 used X, Y & Z as code.
Whether Stab IV./KG 54 used E or F, I'm not sure. I think it was E, but I'm not 100 % certain.

Kind regards,
Rudi.