Luftwaffe Reconnaissance Units

[Laurent Rizzotti]

The Schwarm was used by fighter units only AFAIK. While Geschwader, Gruppe and Staffel were administrative and command divisions, Schwarm and Rotte were tactical formations. What I mean is that a pilot and AC was attached to a Staffel, but not to a Schwarm or a Rotte.

Recon units were usually managed on the Staffel level. They were part of an above structure (a Gruppe or a Geschwader) but it was mainly administrative. Each Staffel was used independently and often attached to another command, either a ground one (for tactical recon) or an air HQ (for strategic recon).

Recon AC flew usually alone, except the tactical recon missions done by Bf 109 later in the war that were often flown in Rotte. By the way these AC had guns and could fight air battles.