MV Deucalion - Operation Pedestal August 1942

[Paul Thompson]

Originally Posted by Nick Beale

I'd imagine it was a translation of something like Luft Transport Führer — whoever was organising the supplies to North Africa, perhaps?

You are entirely right, Nick, as a quick search showed. It must have been the Lufttransportführer Mittelmeer.

Doug and Larry's Careers database gives details of two chiefs of this command:

STARKE, Rudolf. (DKG). 09.39 Obstlt., Leiter Blindfluglehrgang (See) Schleswig, appt Leiter Blindfluglehrgang (See) Putzig-Rahmel (to 10.10.39). 10.10.39 Obstlt., appt Kdr. BFS 5 Rahmel (to 30.08.40). 02.09.40 Maj., appt Kdr. III./KG.z.b.V. 1 (to 05.41?). 01.06.41 promo to Oberst. 05.11.42 Oberst, awarded DKG, Lufttransportführer Mittelmeer. 30.11.42 appt IIa/Lufttransportführer 2. 01.43 appt (re-appt?) Lufttransportführer Mittelmeer (to c.05.02.43). 01.05.43 in Führerreserve Ob.d.L., trf to RLM (General fur den Personaleinsatz d.Lw.). 15.11.44 Oberst, Chef der Amtsgruppe Gen.Pers./Chef der Personellen Rustung und NS-Fuhrung in Gen.St.d.Lw.

BUCHHOLZ, Ulrich. (DOB: 22.12.93 Landsberg/Warthe). (DKG). 29.09.13 entered the Heer (Inf.) with Inf.Rgt. 150. …
01.09.39 appt Kdr. Hoherer Fliegerausbildungskdr. 6 in Prague. 03.40 or 16.01.41 appt Kommodore KG.z.b.V. 3 (to 29.12.42). 01.12.41 promo to Gen.Maj. 15.01.43 appt Lufttransportführer Mittelmeer (to 04.43). 15.05.43 appt Lufttransportführer I Sudost (to 10.44). 19.05.43 or 12.07.43 awarded DKG for service as Lufttransportführer Mittelmeer.

Larry's history of III/KG.z.b.V 1 mentions this command as extant by July 1942
http://www.wiki.luftwaffedata.co.uk/...III/KG.z.b.V_1

I have sent you a PM!

Warm regards,

Paul