Gefechtsverband Kuhlmey 1944 - pre history

[Arvo L. V.]

Esteemed forum members;

I am trying to gain a better understanding re the "pre history" of Gefechtsverband Kuhlmey. On 16 June 1944, Kuhlmey's various squadrons departed Tallinn, Estonia, and headed for Finland. These units were:

Stab SG 3 (Kennzeichen S7+)
I. Gruppe/SG 3 (Kennzeichen S7+)

Stab II./JG 54 (no Kennzeichen)
IIII. Staffel/JG 54
V. Staffel/JG 54

I. Staffel/NAGr. 5 (no Kennzeichen)

I. Staffel/SG 5 (Kennzeichen Q9+)

Supporting:

TGr. 10 "Italien" (Kennzeichen 8Q+)

I am encountering some challenges in ascertaining where these units were based "prior" to being reassigned to Kuhlmey's group. I am assuming that all of the above formations were based in reasonable proximity to Estonia/Finland, which would allow for a rapid transfer.

I would be most appreciative of any assistance efforts re the above query.

Thank you kindly in advance.

Regards;

Arvo L. V.

[Kari Lumppio]

Tere Arvo!

The best published source of Commando Kuhlmey is Hannu Valtonen's "Lento-osasto Kuhlmey". ISBN 951-95688-4-2. It is all in Finnish, but has relatively many photos.

You would also be interested in this article:
Köhler, Karl: "Der Einsatz der Luftwaffe im Bereich der Heeresgruppe Nord von Ende Juni bis Mitte Oktober 1944", in: Abwehrkämpfe am Nordflügel der Ostfront 1944-45. Beiträge zur Militär- und Kriegsgeschichte, Band 5. Stuttgart 1963, p. 17-100.

Of the previous bases of the units:

SG 3 units (whole I/SG 3 = Stab, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Staffel) came from Tartu (Dorpat) and went back there after Immola period.

JG 54 came mainly from Petseri (Pechory). Only 4./JG54 and 5./JG54. It looks like many (all?) planes went to Pärnu (Pernau) after the Immola period.

NAGr 5 came from Rakvere (Wesenberg). Only five Bf 109 from 1./NAGr 5. Tactical numbers are known for all (from 7. IvK logs, see later), from memory they were: < (winkel), 3, 8, 9 and 11. The white 11 might be the same one which does appear in a photo in the Prien & Rodeike Bf 109 tome.

SG5 units came from North, first 1./SG5 and later also Stab(?), 2nd and 3rd Staffel. At least the latter two arrived to Immola mainly from Pontsalenjoki. It should be noted that 1./SG5 planes at first carried numerals and only later adopted the Q9 code with Staffel letter T! (=codes were Q9+_T).

All in all this was a Luftflotte 1 effort and not Lfl 5 as even many reputed sources state.


TGr 10 was not integral part of the Commando Kuhlmey. They supported also the 1./JG 54 which was based shortly at Turku, Finland to support German ships which were at readiness in the archipelago area. TGr 10 also had flown couple of transport flights to Rovaniemi during Spring 1944 when SG1 shortly was sent to North. I have no idea where TGr 10 was based.

Practically all transfers of Commando Kuhlmey - sometimes down to individual planes - can be traced from logs of the Finnish 7. Ilmavalvontakomppania (7th Air Observation Company). I have not made any comprehensive summary of those, though.


Jõudu tööle!

Kari

[Arvo L. V.]

Esteemed Kari;

Thank you kindly for the information. Am most appreciative of same.

Kiitos!

Regards;

Arvo