KTB of KGrzbV 5 online ;)

[George Hopp]

Many years ago I found a reference to a "Versuchskommando fuer Panzerkampfung" formed at Rechlin. The reference noted that during April 1943 the unit moved to the Eastern Front to test its cannon-armed Ju 87s, Hs 129s, Ju 88s, and Bf 110Gs under operational conditions. Although the Ju 87s and Hs 129s were not considered particularly effective, the Ju 88s and Bf 110G-2/R1s were found to be totally inadequate. When the unit was disbanded on 17 June 1943, the Bf 110 G-2/R1s were designated as Pz.Jg.St. 110 under I./ZG 1.

I'm uncertain of the fate of the other a/c, although it appears that the Ju 87s were moved to St.G. 2. And the dates are interesting. Perhaps the unit was disbanded a month earlier than stated in my reference. That would align things perfectly for the disbandment of one unit, and the redesignation to the other.

As I printed out the KTB for Stuka 2, I found that only the first 5 pages of Part 1 would print -- to 3.5.43 -- at that point on the printout there is a "next part" and it stops printing.

As I noted in an earlier note, thank you for all your work in preparing and presenting this material to the rest of us.

All the best,
George Hopp

[Pawel Burchard]

George, I am a bit in the dark as far as Ju 87 Panzerjäger during summer months of 1943 are concerned. There is no doubt that Versuchsstaffel für Panzerbekämpfung aka V.f.P. existed within Stuka 2.
The only hint that there was other such Ju 87-Staffel operational in Russia is loss report from 14-July-1943 for Ju 87G of Pz.Jagdstaffel of St.G. 1 - but between 14 and 16 July 1943 Stuka 2 units (without II./2) were transferred for about two weeks to Lfl. 6 (to Orel via Konotop), Panzerjagdstaffel was probably transferred as well - so this may be an error in loss report.

As for printout, can send you entire file in word if there are troubles with printing.

regards,
Pawel

[George Hopp]

George, I am a bit in the dark as far as Ju 87 Panzerjäger during summer months of 1943 are concerned. There is no doubt that Versuchsstaffel für Panzerbekämpfung aka V.f.P. existed within Stuka 2.

It sounds like that Versuchskommando lasted for only a bit more than a month and then the a/c were either returned to Germany or redesignated into other units, in the case of the Ju 87s, into St.G. 2. So, I am agreeing with you in this matter.

If it would be possible, yes, I would appreciate getting the Word doc. for that part of the KTB. Thank you.

George

[Pawel Burchard]

The weekend update is uploaded. KTB Nr. 4 is basically done. I only have to compile the available (to me) III./55 Flugbuch stuff into it. Enjoy.

regards,
Pawel

[steve sheridan]

Good evening Pawel,
Are you any nearer to bringing us further KTB's from III/KG55 ?
I know your very busy, any more in the pipeline?

Best regs,
Steve.

[Pawel Burchard]

Hello Steve, Nr. 11 is done, will be posting it soon.

regards,
Pawel

[steve sheridan]

Good evening Pawel,
Many thanks for replying, and bringing the good news that KTB No11 is nearly ready.
I shall wait with great interest!
Best regs,
Steve.

[Pawel Burchard]

OK, so here we go - first part of KTB Nr. 9 is online
http://www.mizsio.pl/kriegstagebuecher/3559_00.html

regards,
Pawel