Bombardment of Naples on 5-6 november 1943

[Gianandrea Bussi]

Can anyone give me detalls about that attack against Neapel flown by Luftwaffe unit?

From the Gen. Qu. I see that there were four total losses, two aircraft of II./KG54, one each from II./KG30 and I./KG76.

Which were the other units involved? According to "Bomber Units of the Luftwaffe 1933-1945" bombers were from I and II/KG30, I./KG54, I and II/KG76 plus II and III./KG100.
This book doesn't mention II./KG54 (that suffered two losses, mentioned by the Radtke's book about KG54 too); Ulf Balke book about KG 100 doesn't mention aircraft of this unit taking part to this action.

Which were the total number of aircraft that took part to this mission? According to one source ("La partecipazione tedesca alla guerra aeronavale nel Mediterraneo" by Santoni and Mattesini) there were 102 german bombers; Radtke's KG 54 book mentions 92 Ju.88. Perhaps 10 aircraft had to come back to their bases because of technical faults?

Which was the time of the attack? I suppose that, because of the number of the bombers involved, it lasted many minutes.

Thank you in advance

Gianandrea

[Nick Beale]

According to 329 Wing RAF, Monthly Report No. 13, November 1943 …

Bomber units based in Italy at the time were I. and II./KG 30, I. and II./KG 54 and I. and II./KG 76 and "There was evidence from W/T that all (or nearly all) these Gruppen made their contribution to each of the five operations" that month.

Four of the attacks were on shipping in the Naples area and "All these sorties had the following characteristics in common:

a) An attacking force estimated to consist of 40 Ju 88s (over the target)
b) Complete W/T silence by the bombers themselves before and during the attack.
c) Weather reports for their Gruppe bases transmitted to the returning bombers.
d) A small proportion of the bombers heard homing after the attack.

… After the Naples raid of the 5th the control station of KG 76 announced that fifteen Ju 88s had landed, and that another was overdue. Unfortunately it could not be ascertained whether this announcement covered both the first and second Gruppen, or only one of them. The latter is the more likely explanation."

[Gianandrea Bussi]

Thank you Nick, very appreciated.

Gianandrea

[Andrew Arthy]

Dear Gianandrea,

The attack started just before 18:00, and lasted for 63 minutes.

Cheers,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com/earticles

[Gianandrea Bussi]

Thank you Andrew, very usefull.
Till soon!

Gianandrea

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Gianandrea Bussi

Thank you Andrew, very usefull.
Till soon!

Gianandrea

This report gives a lot more information from the Allied side.

[Gianandrea Bussi]

Thank you for the interesting document!
In november 1943 Allied Forces time was 1 hour earlier than the german one?

Thanks
Gianandrea

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Gianandrea Bussi

In November 1943 Allied Forces time was 1 hour earlier than the german one?

Thanks
Gianandrea

Should be the same: Allies on British Summer Time (GMT+1), Germans on MEZ (GMT+1).

[Gianandrea Bussi]

Thank you again.
Gianandrea