Was there a "Verbindungs- und Transportstaffel IX Fliegerkorps Kommando Stab KG 66"?

[Marcel van Heijkop]

Dear all,

Recently I obtained several pictures of a Ju 52 wreck in a bombed out hangar, according to the seller taken after a bombing attack on Rennes (France) on 12 June 1944. According to the captions on the back of the pictures this machine (K8+SB) belonged to the "Verbindungs- und Transportstaffel des IX Fliegerkorps Kommando Stab KG 66". Although it sounds logical/handy for a pathfinder unit as I./KG66 to have its own Transportstaffel, I had never heard about it...However, the pilot of the aircraft in question switched to I./KG66 and flying its Ju 88 S-3s etc. later in the war, suggesting that there was indeed some kind of relationship...

Can anyone confirm that a "Verbindungs- und Transportstaffel des IX Fliegerkorps Kommando Stab KG 66" indeed existed? Are there any documents or losses (personnel or aircraft) known? (NB: According to his Flugbuch, the last flight of K8+SB was from Avord to Montdidier on 10 June 1944. The bombing is not mentioned, but maybe it was at Montdidier rather than Rennes?)

Thanks in advance,

Marcel

[Larry deZeng]

I have never heard of it, Marcel.

There was this:

Transportstaffel IX. Fliegerkorps
(Unit Code: K8+ ?)

Formation. (c. Feb 41)
Formed around February 1941 in Holland (Fp. Soesterberg?) for IX. Fliegerkorps (ex-9. Fliegerdivision), which was formed o/a 16 Nov 40 and had its headquarters at Blomendaal/Holland.

Holland and France. (c. Feb 41 - Sep 44)
23 Sep 41: Ju 52 damaged its undercarriage and crashed while landing at Brussels, 60%.
Dec 41: based at Amiens-Glisy - handed over 5 Ju 52s this date toward the formation of KGr.z.b.V. 400.
8 Jan 43: 4 air crew personnel from the Staffel reported MIA in the Stalingrad area while flying “on loan” with KGr.z.b.V. 50.
9 Sep 43: Caudron C 445 bombed on the ground at Fp. Beauvais-Tillé/NE France, 20%.
1943-44: usually had 1 to 5 LeO 451s on strength.
10 Jul 44: based at Beaumont-sur-Oise/32 km N of Paris, and same on 25 July.
Sep 44: disbanded September/October 1944. Its Feldpostnummer was deleted on 21 Oct 44.

FpN: (L 14550)

So, if I had to guess, I would say your "Verbindungs- und Transportstaffel des IX Fliegerkorps Kommando Stab KG 66" was some sort of improvised detachment that existed for a week or two immediately after the 6 June Normandy invasion, or it is an incorrect and confusing reference to a couple of aircraft from Transportstaffel IX. Fliegerkorps that were sent to pick up and move the personnel from Stab/KG 66 from one airfield to another.

Larry

[Marcel van Heijkop]

Hello Larry,

Thanks for this! His Flugbuch matches with your info: After flying Ju 52s in Russia and Italy (unit codes G6+.., 4V+..), "my" man joined Transportstaffel IX. Fliegerkorps on 18 October 1943 at Paris-Orly. Here he flew C445s (K8+CB, K8+BB, T4+CL) first, followed by Ju 52s at Beaumont, among others. From July 1944 onwards, he followed I./KG66 via France and Holland to Germany, where he learned to fly the Ju 88 S-3.

He apparently was a meticulous bookkeeper, writing down the name of each successive unit or Kommando whenever he changed units: 2./KGzbV102, 10./TG3, Transportstaffel IX Fliegerkorps, Kdo. I./SKG10, Transport-und Verbindungsstaffel IX Fliegerkorps, Kdo. Stab./KG66, etc..So he was probably sent a lot on short-lived detachments..

PS: I think the correct spelling for the 1940/1941 HQ location would be Bloemendaal..

Regards,

Marcel

[Larry deZeng]

Thanks, Marcel! Bloemendaal correction made. You have a good eye!

Cheers,

Larry

[Marcel van Heijkop]

Hi Larry, you're welcome! Anyway, this little sidestep will be a nice addition to my I./KG66 unit history.

Regards,

Marcel