Luftwaffe Air Dropped Mines 20-23 Nov 39

[igorrB]

He.59 have significant losses during mining operation in beginning of December 1939, but there was no replace for them at the moment. He.115 suitable for minelaying were only in one staffel. He.111H for mines not arrived nor 1939, not Janiary/February 1940. Then all aerodromes for hydroplanes became frozen and then Fuhrer ordered at 1.2.40 that all little-scaled minelaying operation must be stopped.

[Chris Goss]

That is interesting Igor as it corresponds with the formation of 9 Flg Div. It also corresponds with Hptm Gerd Stein moving to 7./KG 26 and then KGr 126. BTW the He 59 losses seemed to be due to weather or technical

[igorrB]

There was meeting between C./SKL, Chef des Generalstab der Luftwaffe and gen. Coeler (9 FD's commander), 19.2.40. Last one reported that his unit can start massive use of mines from 1.4.40 but may be from 1.5.40. To that time (19.2.40) Luftwaffe possesed only 30 LMA and 20 LMB. Jeschonek give from Goering strong wish to Kriegsmarine not to use mine until 9 FD was ready to mass operation.
Also i read one extract from data of abt. I(L) of SKL dated 15.3.40 which say that there is only 10 combat ready He.111H-4 for minelaying. To 1.5.40 this report expect 9 FD will have 2 Gruppen of He.111 and one Ju.88. But then Norwegian campaign say its word.
At 4.4.40 ban to use mines by Krigsmarine subordinated planes was lifted by Fuhrer.

[igorrB]

I'm not aware about KGr 126 mining operations in beginning of 1940. I know its composition was like you write above, one staffel from each KG 26, KG 30 and KG 40. Its training must be ended to end of winter 1939/40, but possibly delayed to summer. At night 26/27.7.40 KGr 126 laid its 1000 mine.

[igorrB]

And yes, He.59's losses were not during enemy actions, but there was 9 accidents 6-8.12.39 (not all 100% however) in two staffeln. At 10.12.39 3./106 and 3./906 have 19 planes between them but only 14 combat ready.

[Chris Goss]

All interesting thank you Igor. KGr 126's first loss was 4 Apr 40 and first combat casualty 30 Apr 40 which is reported as being the night that KGr 126 flew its 4th mining mission

[edwest2]

An aside if I may. YouTube is filled with AI generated nonsense and completely amateur work. A few high school kids, or adults, thought it would be fun to dash off a video at the Imperial War Museum and say bad things about the Nazis. This isn't anywhere near what can be called scholarship. Sources for images are rarely mentioned, as compared to an actual, professionally produced documentary one might see from the BBC.

[igorrB]

I think good point to mining operation is look in Munitionslage reports (RL 2-III/631). No LMA or LMB was expended in 1940 until decade 11-20.4.40, when diminution was 25 LMB.

But there was operation of He.115 (3./506) - 9 LMB at 17.4.40, 10 LMB at 20.4.40.
Then 12 LMB at 22.4.40, 11 LMB 30.4.40. In all 42 LMB, but diminution in april was 87 LMB. So other 45 LMB was dropped by KGr 126 in same days/nights, i think.

[Chris Goss]

That would explain 4th mission of KGr 126 occurring on 30 April. Interesting that Hptm Ernst-Wilhelm Bergmann's 3./506 was still dropping mines as it was also preparing to carry out limited torpedo attacks

[igorrB]

He already made two at 12 and 17 March (each with 3 He.115). Then no attack until 16/17.5.40, however 3./506 periodically receive orders to be ready for fly torpedo mission early in April.