Sonderstaffel Schwilben, 10.5.40

[Stig Jarlevik]

Hi Adom

Sorry, but Shores makes the same mistake as I do. He refers inside his book (not the index) to KGrzbV 108. His index states KGzbV 108, but so it does with each and every one of the other KGrzbV units as well.

I don't have the other book you mention, but it can hardly be classified as a primary source either.

Shores lists the number of aeroplanes used during Weserübung by the unit and it seems unlikely that 8 staffeln should use only 37 aeroplanes. That number corrsponds much more to a Gruppe strength.

All secondary sources I have ONLY list a KGrzbV 108 formed in 1940. NO KGzbv is listed anywhere.

To get to the bottom of all this, I would VERY much like to know the primary sources that lists this KGzbv 108, when each unit was formed and what happened to it. I would also like to know its relation ship (if any) with KGrzbV 108. The latter unit is what ALL my secondary sources lists

Cheers
Stig

[Pieter H]

Rosch "Luftwaffe Codings and Markings" clearly states that KGrzbV108 was formed 3-40, with a Stab and 4 Staffeln, coding 7U and Staffel codes B-H-K-L-M respectively. They were all disbanded in May 43.

But there is the remark, confirming the statements in above postings, that during Weserubung it was increased to full Geschwader strength with 3 Gruppen, almost certainly by taking planes from different other units.

Furthermore, in his listing of aircraft codes Rosch mentions many aircraft coded 7U+xx, but all of these are Ju-52's. Clearly the He-59's that were lost by the Staffel Schwilden at Rotterdam (at least 4) are not included.

Now the question I have is whether anybody knows what the codings were of the He-59's of the Staffel Schwilden. There are quite some pictures of the He-59's landing on the river Maas/Meuse in Rotterdam, but on none I can discern any aircraft coding.
So were they using

• the formal code of 3./KGrzbV108, 7U+xL
• the codes of their original units if they were not part of the core of KGrzbV108
• their Stammkenzeichen

and what were these codes?
Any input would be welcome!

Pieter

[Seaplanes]

The Kampfgeschwader z.b.V. 108 was a part of the large transport force created for the invasion of Norway on 9 April 1940. The Geschwader Kommodore was Oberst Ernst-August Roth who received the title Transportchef See for the duration of the invasion. The formation of the Geschwader was ordered in March 1940, but the aircraft were not transferred to their operational bases until shortly before 9 April, due to security. On the eve of 8 April, the units were distributed as follows:
I. Gruppe/K.G.z.b.V. 108: Gruppenkommandeur Major Lessing with Staffeln 1./108 and 2./108 with He 59, and 8./108 with Ju 52 floatplanes in Norderney.
II. Gruppe/K.G.z.b.V. 108: Gruppenkommandeur Major Kaiser with Staffeln 4./108 and 7./108 both with He 59 in List.
III./K.G.z.b.V. 108: Gruppenkommandeur not known, with Staffeln 5./108 and 6./108, both with He 59.

The Staffel 9./108 was ordered formed on 11 April 1940 as a result of the developments of the fighting in the Narvik area. This Staffel was equipped with all available long range flying boats and floatplanes.

As you can see the Staffel 3./108 is missing. This is the Staffel that on 14 March 1940 was reformed as Sonderstaffel Schwilden and placed under the command of the 7. Fligerdivision for the attack on Rotterdam on 10 May. The following aircraft were destroyed or severly damaged during the Rotterdam operation: Heinkel He 59D W.Nr. 1830, 1995, 2593 and 2599. They were all written off. The remaining 8 He 59s returned after the operation, all of them with various degrees of damage from ground fire.
The Staffel Schwilden was disbanded on 12 May 1940, and the aircraft returned to Höhere Fliegerausbildungskommando 2 for distribution to training establishments.

So to the Kampfgruppe z.b.V. 108. The aircraft of this unit flew with Stammkennzeichen (four letter codes) only until the spring of 1942 when the unit was assigned the Verbandkennzeichen 7U+. In May 1943 the K.Gr.z.b.V. 108 was renumbered Transportfliegergruppe 20. This designation lasted until the end of the war and the Verbandkennzeichen 7U+ was also used to the end.

All the information in this and the other posts made are from original Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine records available at the Bundesarchiv-Militärarchiv in Freiburg.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Ahhhh
Thanks Guys!
This is more like it. Adds a lot to my knowledge and also corrects some books...

Cheers
Stig