"Zerstorer" Hardback by John Vasco and Peter Cornwell - Coming from Wingleader in 2025

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by INM@RLM

Turning to the bases of early July, the only Zerstörer units incontrovertibly based in France in that period were these:

German signallers' spelling of personal and place names is far from incontrovertible, but anyway …

ULTRA CX/JQ/89: It was reported at 0800/27/6 to Major Kapmann of II./ZG 76 that V.(Z)/LG 1 was wrongly stated to be in Ste. Marie, 20 km E of Arlon. Its HQ had been in Ste. Marie 10 km N of Neufchâteau, but it should have been on the move since 26/6, and its new HQ were [sic] not known.

CX/JQ/90: It was reported about midday 27/6 that III./ZG 26 had landed at aerodrome Barly.

CX/JQ/91: On 27/6 following strength return from ZG 26 … Stab at 'Authielle' [Authuille nr. Thiepval?]; I./ZG 26 at Abbeville-Drucat; II./ZG 26 at Ligescourt.

CX/JQ/93: ZG 26 made on 28/6 following return … I. and II. at Abbeville-Drucat, III. at Barly.

CX/JQ/99: At 2245 on 29/6 orders were given that ABBEVILLE-DRUCART [sic] was to be evacuated by command of Luftflotte 2 and ZG 26 was to move Gruppe I to a suitable reserve aerodrome (Ausweichhafen) on 30/6.

CX/JQ/100: At 2100/30/6 ZG 76 asked Fliegerkorps IV to send on 2/7/40 a Ju 52 for V./LG 1 at Alençon …

CX/JQ/102: Fliegerkorps 2 wished to know at 1300/1 whether II./ZG 26 and III./ZG 26 have been transferred to Berlin.

CX/JQ/108: On 3/7 a strength return seen at HQ ZG 26 read as follows … Stab at Authielle, I. at Yvrench, II. at Crécy-en-Ponthieu; III. at Barly … 'At 0230/3/7 ZG 26 … as above but II./ at Ligescourt.'

CX/JQ/111: It was learnt on 4/7 that the signals officers of KG 51, KG 54 and KG 55 had been instructed by Fliegerkorps V to report to ZG 2 at Châteaufort for a conference.

CX/JQ/129: ZG 2 will move one Group to Caen-Carpiquet from 12/7 on for escort of bombing units.