Obscure unit KDO.Ostpr.1

[Johannes]

Does anybody known anything about this unit? I would guess it's an area one, possibly for the Ostpreßen area of former Germany, near modern day Kalinagrad. My Auntie Gisela came from Osterode(now Poland) in the same area, I do remember her saying when the Russian's came they evacuated West, and she visited it again many years later, nothing German remaining was her observation.

This unit was flying Bf109's some fifty of them, and claimed twelve enemy aircraft on 22.03.1945.

Keep well

Johannes

[Merlin]

The Bf 109 equipped I, and III./JG 51 operated from bases at Ostpreußen at that day.

[Johannes]

Hi Gerhard

Thanks for your input. Could be some JG51 staffel was re-designated for some reason.

Kind Regards

Johannes

[Steve Coates]

Looks to me like a regional Command. Structure as at 25-3-45 is available in RL 2-III/409.

[Johannes]

Hi Steve

Is a strange one. I found several such units in the West, sometimes just a few aircraft or staffel sponsored by a city or even a factory. Usually they had one experienced ace as a leader. There were other obscure units like JG 50, but these were specialist unit. This is the first identified in the East, and with twelve claims in a single day somewhat successful. There is no indication of what type of aircraft, or even who's aircraft, but due to the location I would guess Russian. You would think also that it had some experienced pilots. Due to it's proximity to JG51 you would think they would come from there.

Kind Regards

Johannes

P.S There is one thing that suggests no association with JG51, the fact that these twelve claims are so vague, yet JG51's claims as the most informative giving type, time, grid reference and if a high scoring pilot the name.

[John Manrho]

Johannes,

I have no idea what you are trying to say.... Steve listed the Luftwaffenkommando Ostpreussen structure. You see that parts of JG 51 reported to Lw.Kdo. Ostpreussen. So, if Lw.Kdo Ostpreussen reported claims they are most likely from JG 51.

John

[ChristianK]

Johannes, what is your source for this unit and these 12 claims?

[Larry deZeng]

Here is some additional lineage and organizational detail:

Luftwaffenkommando Ostpreussen (2d Formation)
(FpN: L 63694)

Kommandierender General und Befehlshaber:
Gen.Maj. Klaus Uebe (24 Jan 45 - 24 Apr 45)
Gen.Maj. Günther Sachs (24 Apr 45 - 8 May 45)

Subordinate Commands and Units:
Combat
4. Fliegerdivision
Fliegerführer 6
Jagdfliegerführer Ostpreussen
18. Flakdivision
Ln.-Rgt. 260
Ln.-Rgt. 261

Formation and History. (Jan 45 - May 45)
Formed 24 January 1945 in East Prussia following the disbanding of Luftgaukommando I (Königsberg) and the Russian breakthrough along the Vistula which subsequently drove a powerful spearhead through to the Baltic, thus separating East Prussia from West Prussia. On 1 Feb 45 the Stab was located at Gross Blumenau and on 1 Mar 45 at Neutief. Initially subordinated to Luftflotte 6 and then later directly under OKL.

[Sources: G.Tessin-Tes; NARA WashDC: RG 242 (T-321:17/502; T-321:50); M.Holm-website ww2.dk.]

[Steve Coates]

Larry

Thanks. Good stuff.

Steve

[John Manrho]

On 22.3.45 Lw.Kdo.Ostpr. was still part of Lfl.Kdo. 6. On the Tagesmeldung it is mentioned that 19 Bf 109 operated in Ostpr. Raum and claiming 8 Abschüsse and 50 Me 109 operated in Westpr. Raum and claimed 4 Abschüsse. Without a doubt these were claimed by the JG 51 units organized under Lw.Kdo.Ostpr. This being Stab, I., III. and IV./JG 51 at that time.