Direct Communication Between German Troops and LW Aircraft?

[Boomerang]

Gentlemen:

I don't know a lot about the Luftwaffe's flivos, but my understanding is that they did not communicate directly with aircraft, instead they forwarded information via LW channels, which was used to task pilots. Thus, they weren't Forward Air Controllers in the modern sense.

However, Joel Hayward's Stopped at Stalingrad, quotes the army's Wilhelm Tieke thus: 'Pilots talked to us over the radio...' i.e. direct communication between German ground forces and LW aircraft.

The reference relates to operations in the Caucasus in July/August 1942, the LW units belonged to Fliegerkorps IV, but the information is no more specific than that.

This report raises questions such as was this a one-off response to a fluid operational situation, what sort of radio equipment was used, what types of aircraft participated in this practice, etc.

Any comments would be very welcome.

Thanks

Don W