2./Nacht-aufkl. Staffel ... what is this unit ?

[BABIN]

Hello,

I'm trying to decipher an archives document. It concerns the career of a Luftwaffe officer. Among the successive postings of this career there is "2./Nacht-aufkl. Staffel". I searched in the pages "Air units" of this forum, I searched, too, in several Luftwaffe units lists, but I found nothing which could look like this mention.

I guess this unit is a night reconnaissance unit, or something like that. But I would like to know more. So, could anybody give me info about this staffel ? complete title ? to which group did it belong ? on which operations theatres did it fight ... and any else info will be welcome.

Thank you very much

Pierre BABIN

[Larry deZeng]

Is your officer any of the following, all of whom served with Nachtaufklärungsstaffel 2, which is also written as Nachtaufkl.St. 2 and as 2.(F) Nacht, but not as you have it at least as far as I know:

Heinrich Engelhardt
Heinz Fissel
Fritz Kuschke
Heinz Laubisch
Karl Licht
Paul Palmer
Willi Ruser
Hans Schellwien
Hans-Eberhard Scholvin
Heinz Schröder
Günter Weigt
Heinz Zembach

Larry

[Brian Bines]

Pierre,

While looking through the Luft. QM's returns I remember some losses to this unit on the Eastern front flying Do215's and 217's. I am doing this from memory so I hope it is right and that someone can confirm,

Regards

Brian Bines

[edNorth]

Here:

Link below shows quite a variety of types: Do 17, Do 215, Do 217, He 111, Ju 88, Ju 188 etc.

http://www.ww2.dk/

http://www.ww2.dk/oob/bestand/aufkl/b2nacht.html

[BABIN]

Thank you very much Brian and Larry for your replies.

Larry : I sent to you a PM

Pierre

[Brian Bines]

Larry,

Just saw from notes that FF Oblt Heinz Laubisch, B Oblt Karl Licht with Bf Ofw Helmut Dully all injured in crash of Do215B5 0054 on 30-12-42,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Brian Bines

Pierre,

While looking through the Luft. QM's returns I remember some losses to this unit on the Eastern front flying Do215's and 217's. I am doing this from memory so I hope it is right and that someone can confirm,

Regards

Brian Bines

And the occasional Ju 188 in one of the Staffeln IIRC. I think that is was simply a long range recon unit specialising in night photography and employed mostly (entirely?) in the East.

Four Do 217s of the 1. Staffel are listed here.

[Larry deZeng]

Originally Posted by Brian Bines

Larry,
Just saw from notes that FF Oblt Heinz Laubisch, B Oblt Karl Licht with Bf Ofw Helmut Dully all injured in crash of Do215B5 0054 on 30-12-42,
Regards
Brian Bines

Thanks, Brian. That particular machine crashed at Fl.H. Orsha in Belorussia due to engine failure, apparently as it was coming in to land on return from a night mission. Belorussia was a nasty place for air operations at that time of year - appalling weather.
Best,
Larry

[Chris Goss]

Of interest, I have the Pokal douments for Fw Karl Ludwig who was lost with Günter Weigt in Do 217 K-1, 4471, K7+FK on 20 Aug 43. 3 of the crew had the Pokal or would get it after their deaths