9./KG 53 early attack on 22.06.41

[Mirek Wawrzynski]

There are memories of A. Doring of 9./KG 53, about early in the morning air attak on 22.06.41, done by He 111s of III/KG 53 on Soviet airfield. Pity but he did not write which target they attacked first time. Second time it was Białystok
May somebady knows it?

Regards
mw

[Thomas H]

Hello Mirek,

On 22.06.1941 the III./KG53 attacked airfield Bielsk-Pilici, South of Bialystok, 80km behind the Front.

7th Staffel: attacked accommodation
8th Staffel: attacked planes on the ground (Eastside airfield)
9th Staffel: attacked ammunition bunker and airstrip (Rollfeld)

Regards, Thomas

[Mirek Wawrzynski]

Hi, great thanks
In Polish it would be airfield in Bielsk Podlaski

Regards
mirekw

[Mirek Wawrzynski]

Bielsk Podlaski, was also the main airfield of 126. IAP of 9. SAD, on 22.06. the whole regiment was on its second airfield in Dolubovo (Dołubowo). It took part in several air combats. So it also could attacked this bombers after their attack (?).

Regrads,
mw

[Thomas H]

Hi Mirek,

They were attacked by Russian fighters after they bombed the airfield, but don't know which unit. 27 he111 flew close together and were all firing on the fighters, who decided to back out. KG53 didn't have losses after this mission. As far as I know they also didn't manage to shoot down any Russian fighters

Regards, Thomas

[Mirek Wawrzynski]

Probably by 126. IAP, which had MiG-3 and I-16? There are some information about combat 9 MiG-3 of 4./126. IAP with 23 "Ju 88" on 8.15 Moscow time, but the time is earlier of attack of III/KG 53 on Bielsk. If right remember. This unit much fit to this story. Russian had claimed 2 "Ju 88", which had fallen not so far from Dołubovo, with no own losses.

Strange, but on inventory of III/KG 53, were only 22 servicable He 111s as on 21.06 of 31 planes? So attacking formation could not have 27 bombers?

So in Doring memories are some wrong information?

Regards
mw