Some questions about KG 54 Bombing Rotterdam may 14 1940

[robert]

Hi,

some information`s:
- attack`s time was fixed at 15 hrs
- 100 He 111P bombers took off at 13.25 hrs for this attack from Varrelbusch, Hoya and Quakenbrueck
- KG54 split up into two formations shortly before reaching the target (54 bombers from stab, II. and III./KG54 formed first part and second numbered 46 He 111P bombers from I./KG54 under Obstlt.Hoehne)
- 43 He 111P bombers of I./KG54, which didn`t bomb Rotterdam, attacked some secondary targets
- I think that KG54 suffered no losses during this mission

Robert

[Foute Man]

Aloha

Thanks for your reply, apologies for my late reply. A summarize and possible answers to my questions interpretating the post of Robert.

A: 100
B: 54 aircraft of Stab, II and III Gruppe suggest not full battlestrenght, perhaps all available aircraft at that time. 46 for I Gruppe suggest I Gruppe was at full battlestrength

C: Aircraft took off from Varrelbusch, Hoya and Quakenbrueck, not Delmenhorst
D: data about route and waypoints is still missing

E: Splitting up happened before reaching Rotterdam, exact location/area still unknown
F: I Gruppe was led by Obstlt.Hoehne, could the formation of 54 have been led by Geschwadercommodore Oberst Walter Lackner?
G: There was a secundary target for the 43 aircraft that did not drop their bombs on Rotterdam, secundary target still unknown

H: No data yet about the spokesmen in the historical debate between "tactical bombardment" and "act of terror"

I: No data of any losses of KG 54 aircraft during this mission yet, so probably all 100 aircraft returned to base safely

Dutch sources say bombardment was between 13.20 and 13.25, this was not the time of take-off. If the 1,5 hours flying time is correct aircraft took off between 11.45 and 12.00

Groeten!!!

[Ruy Horta]

I thought I had more specifics on this operation, but anyway, you are more likely to get some of your questions answered at:

http://www.grebbeberg.nl/forum/forum...oup=1&view=all

There is also a fairly recent dutch publication available on the mission. Unfortunately I don't remember the title, however a single call or visit to De Luchtvaart Hobbyshop or Flash Aviation will result in you finding it.