Fliegergruppe z.b.V. 7 (7th Special Flying Group)

[Sylvester Stadler]

In the book Hitler's Bandit Hunters: The SS and the Nazi Occupation of Europe, Philip W. Blood mentions a unit of the Luftwaffe designated as Fliegergruppe z.b.V. 7 (7th Special Flying Group) which was organized to give close air support to the ground forces which were engaged with the Russian partisans. The unit originally was formed under the HSSPF (Höhere SS und Polizei Führer) Caucusus but was transferred to the Luftwaffe around August 1942. The Gruppe consisted of four Staffeln with HQ in East Prussia and later in Berlin. The types of aircraft used include Ju 52, Hs 126, Fi 156 Storch, Fw 58, and Ju 87. The unit came under the direct command of Heinrich Himmler. According to the author, the only information existing is from British intercepts of Luftwaffe wireless transmissions.

Has anyone ever heard or read of this unit and can confirm the existence of this unit?