Croatian Air Force

[steven]

Hello

I am looking for any information as to the roll of the Croatian Air force I believe it was attached to Kampfgeschwader 3.

[Larry deZeng]

The entire Croatian Air Force was attached to KG 3?

I thought it was only 13.(kroat.)/KG 3(Jun-Nov 43 - no operations flown) and 15.(kroat.)/KG 3 (Jun-Nov 43 - delpoyed to Ukraine but no operations flown).


de Zeng, Henry L. IV and Douglas G. Stankey. Bomber Units of the Luftwaffe 1933-1945: A Reference Source. Volume 1. Hersham/Surrey: Ian Allan Publishing Ltd, December 2007. ISBN: (10) 1 903223 72 5. Hb. Dj. 208p. Profusely illustrated. Copious source notes. Color art work. Glossary/Abbreviations. Index.
de Zeng, Henry L. IV and Douglas G. Stankey. Bomber Units of the Luftwaffe 1933-1945: A Reference Source. Volume 2. Hersham/Surrey: Ian Allan Publishing Ltd, March 2008. ISBN: (10) 1 903223 87 3. Hb. Dj. 204p. Profusely illustrated. Copious source notes. Color art work. Glossary/Abbreviations. Index.

[steven]

Hi Larry

many thanks for the info i have a document to a guy who was in stab III.KG3 and 7/KG3 between August 41 and April 43 and was awarded the croatian pilots badge

[Larry deZeng]

What's his name? If he's German, then he probably got the badge for instructing Croatian pilots. If he is Croatian, then he may have flown with those two Staffeln before of after 13. and 15. existed. That would be unusual but not unheard of.

L.

[steven]

Hi Larry his name was Dieter Bauer hewas initially trained as an Airgunner then in April 43 went to pilot training school until Feb 44 he then went Flugleherschule which I believe was an instructors school.

[Larry deZeng]

The Croatians were very "generous" about awarding Croatian decorations, emblems and badges to Wehrmacht personnel. About all they had to do was come into official contact with Croatian military personnel to qualify for one thing or another. At some point, Bauer must have trained Croatians and that's how he qualified for the badge.

L.