Arado Ar 234 of Gefechtsverband KdE ?

[ianatheling]

During research on the Ar 234 I found a reference to a short term operational unit formed at Rechlin titled Gefechtsverband KdE (Im not quite sure what the KdE stands for?, I assume it might be KommandoErprobungs) It apparently had nine Ar234 formed into a bomberstaffel. The unit was formed in January 1945 and disbanded on the 19th Feb. But I can not find any other information on the unit, can anyone help?

[RT]

In Eisermann Log-book is a few named about the Kommando, Christoph Regel knows something also about this one as Manfred Jurleit, I suspect also Jan Horn to hv knowledge about that, dates quoted are a bit different as yours..

Remi

[Norbert Schuchbauer]

KDE or K.d.E. means: Kommando/Kommandeur der Erprobungsstellen der Luftwaffe. It was operationally subordinated to TLR which is Chef der Technischen Luftrüstung. It began its existence by order of the Luftwaffe Generalquartiermeister from July 1944. With this order the Generalluftzeugmeister was disbanded.

Hope this helps,

Norbert

[ianatheling]

Thanks

I would be most interested to know whether there were actually any operational missions flown?

[Nick Beale]

I couldn't locate it easily but there is an ULTRA message in which Rechlin lists the aircraft it can muster into various types of operational Staffeln.

My impression was that this was a plan which would be activated in an emergency. In the same way, the RAF has "shadow squadrons" which it would activate from its training schools.