Where was III./KG40 based Oct.1941

[Tony Kearns]

Would appreciate help as to where the Heinkels of III./KG40 were based in October 1941. Michael Holms site list Bordeaux, can this be confirmed ? please.
Tony Kearns

[edNorth]

Do not know if this helps?

- III/KG 40
Operated mainly the Fw 200 Condor during the war (but also He 111 P-2 F8+ES) in 1941. In early 1941 the He 111 H machines (ex-I/KG 1) were operating as III Gruppe from Franch bases and most still wearing the older codes. These were mainly used as bombers striking Britain at night, but day missions were also flown.
Known losses or incidents include (from April 1941): He 111 H-3 6840 V4+HH, H-3 3328 V4+CH, H-3 5677, H-3 6857 V4+FH, H-5 4023 V4+EL, H-3 5670, H-3 3331, H-2 5578 V4+LH, H-5 4021 V4+JL, H-3 6821, H-3 6891 V4+GK, H-5 4063 V4+DK, H-3 3333 V4+BH, H-5 3909 V4+JH, H-2 2739, H-3 3329, H-3 3193, H-3 5687.
By late May the unit appears as it was operating out of Ansbach in Germany. One He 111 H-4 6965 crash landed at Dievenow 21.06.1941.
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By March 1942 had fifteen Fw 200 C, one Fw 200 A-0 (transferred out to other unit in March), two Fw 200 C-4, two Ju 88 A-4 and five He 111 H-6. Both Ju 88 A-4 were lost in accidents in April 1942 and the four remaining Heinkels were transferred out to other unit. In May 1942 to April 1943 this unit had only Condors on strength. In May one He 177 A-1 Greif was added and later more arrived. Eleven He 177 A-3 of 8. Staffel were redesignated 2. Staffel in October 1943. Until October 1944 it was again an all Condor unit (all held in 8. Staffel). In that month the thirty-nine remaining Condors and crews were transferred (became Transportstaffel Condor).

[Chris Goss]

For operations over the Eastern UK, they operated out of Soesterburg; for western UK, Bordeaux

[brewerjerry]

Hi,
slightly o/t, but just to add to the codes,
10-10-41 HE-III, 4396, F8+BT, crashed St Ives, cornwall
24-11-41 HE-III, 3894, F8+ES, crashed Helston, cornwall
cheers
Jerry

[Tony Kearns]

Thank you edNorth, Chris and Jerry. I take it that for ops over and around Western England/Ireland the Heinkels would position to forward airfields such as Brest for fuelling and bombing up etc.
Regards to all,
Tony Kearns