Sonderkommando Kunkel: redesignated 9.(Nacht)/ZG1 on 30 May 1944?

[Theo Boiten]

Dear all,

Who can confirm that the Sonderkommando Kunkel was in fact redesignated 9.(Nacht)/ZG1 on 30 May 1944? Reason for asking is that in the personal papers of Kunkel's regular Bordfunker, I have not found anything on this, only that the Kunkel crew was transferred straight from the Kdo Kunkel to NJG4 on 1 July 1944.

Cheers, Theo

[ju55dk]

According to FB Kunkel, the last flight with Kdo. Kunkel was 020744. First flight with NJG 4 was 070744.

Junker

[Charles Bavarois]

Hello Theo,

I found this:

Gen.Q. 6. Abteilung, 7th June 1944, Nr. 4885/44 g.K. (V)
Es wurde aufgestellt im Bereich der Lfl. 3:
9. (Nacht)/ZG 1
unter Rückgriff auf Personal und Material des Jagdkommandos 1./123 (sic!) und Nachtjagdkommando Kunkel, letzere organisatorisch aufgelöst.

So 9./ZG 1 was not to be a redesignated NJKdo Kunkel, but a newly established unit, using personnel and material from two other units.

BTW: I could not find any report on the establishment of NJKdo Kunkel. I suppose the unit never being officially established, not even "auf dem Kommandowege" and so could not be disbanded like other units. Therefor ist was only "organisatorisch aufgelöst".

Cheers
Carl

[Nick Beale]

The build-up of 9./ZG 1 was already underway in April 1944, see here and the attached document.

[Theo Boiten]

Thank you Gentlemen,

This solves the matter re. the Kdo. Kunkel, many thanks for sharing these details,

Best regards,

Theo

[Theo Boiten]

.. one additional question to this topic: I am trying to trace a photo of Hptm. Fritz Kunkel -does anyone know if such a photo exists? Perhaps one from his KG40 days?

Cheers, Theo

[Chris Goss]

Understandably, I have one or 2