new research - readiness state, losses and logistics

[Andreas Brekken]

Hello, Matti.

I would dare to say so:

"In der Verlustmeldung an Genst.Gen.Qu.6.Abt. ist bei Brüchen unter 60%, sofern Wiederherstellung durch Truppenmittel (siehe oben) nicht möglich ist "Er." (gleich Ersatz) zu schreiben, damit L.E. in der Lage ist, seine Kartei auf dem laufenden zu halten."

The "(siehe oben)" is with regards to earlier parts of the text describing the distinctions and routines with regards to the units vs the industry.

As stated I will be coming back to this in a forthcoming article, hopefully I will be able to publish part I by mid-April.

Regards,
Andreas B

[drgondog]

Andreas - when an a/c was damaged to point of not being repairable at the Stafeln or Gruppen level Service Center, it should be noted somewhere- by Werk No and cause - and by disposition, shouldn't it?

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi.

drgondog - I am not sure I understand your question - in that case if I understand you correct the aircraft in question would be reported up through the chain of command in the standard loss records way - primary first nucleus of this being the office of the Oberquartiermeister of the units Luftflotte (or unit at that level).

This office was again responsible for reporting to the Gen.Qu.6.Abt.

Regards,
Andreas B

[drgondog]

Andreas - more specifically say a 109 based at Salzwedel was deemed 40% damaged, theoretically repairable, but not repairable at Salzwedel - requiring transportation to another site.

a.) was it then stricken from the assigned fighter unit, b.) assigned into category 'out of service - but not possible to service locally' and c.) Logged out of Salzwedel inventory to repair facility 'ABC',transported to ABC depot where it was received and logged into a category 'damaged-received from Salzwedel', d.) tracked by Werkno as WIP until repaired, and e.) logged into another category 'repaired/ready for assignment, f.) Shipped to 'XYZ" unit, g.) logged by 'XYZ' as a 'new inventory item-ready for duty>

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi.

Nearly. Exchange Salzwedel with the 'Halter' - for simplicity lets use 3./JG 5, and you are nearly there.

As stated earlier - more to come!

Regards,
Andreas B

[AndreasB]

Note however that this seems to not always have been applied religiously.

On 25/11/41 C.in.C. GAF General Staff Sept. 6(III) sent the following document to Fliegerkorps X:-
“Re. units re-equipping. Units re-equipping are provided with new a/c by the General Staff, Dept.6, according to their normal establishment (Plansoll) or to any special establishment ordered. In repeated cases, the Geschwader, Fliegerkorps, etc., engaged in operations have fallen back on the a/c stocks of the Gruppen in process of re-equipping, and have allocated a/c, partly with and partly without crews, to the Gruppen engaged in operations. Since this procedure does not allow of proper checks to be kept on particular a/c and on operational readiness, such practices must be discontinued. In specially urgent exceptional cases, additions to the strength from Gruppen engaged in re-equipping are to be applied for to the GAF Operational Staff. The Chief of the General Staff reserves to himself the right of decision on such inroads.

All the best

Andreas

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi.

I would in fact use this as an additional source to the fact that there was a definite focus on the maintaining of the routines.

What I read from this text is that the operational units on the front had been drawing on the resources with regards to both aircraft and personnel from units under establishment or undergoing conversions and/or reequipment, and that this practice was to stop immediately - with very few exceptions.

Routines will always be just that, adapted in lesser or larger degree in a given situation. My point has always been that the framework was there, and a rather strict one at that, and this can be a basis for Research as it is possible to deduct where one should look for further information.

We all know that in many situations the armed forces of Germany in WWII used ad-hoc units, and special units put together for short durations or specific operations. This of course also happened in the Luftwaffe, will be back with more on this also.

Regards,
Andreas