'LB' in Flugbuch

[Tim O.]

Hi guys

I have a typed summary of flights that was created in 1944 for an airman recommended for the Knight's Cross and drawn from his Flugbuch. Several entries start with the abbreviation 'LB'. Although he was from a reconnaissance unit I am assuming this is short for 'Luftbomben'. Examples are:

'LB. Leningrad u. Kronstadt (Angriff) Flugplätze, Flak u. Jägerä

'LB. der Ladogaseeflotte u. Schiffsverkehr in der Wolchowmündung, Überwachung des Hafens Leningrad, schwere Flak und Jäger'

'LB. Kronstadt u. Leningrad, Newa Flak'

Would you agree 'LB' is for 'Luftbomben'?

Thanks for the help.

[Kaczmarek]

Hi Tim,

'Luftbomben' makes no sense for me. I think it could be 'Luftraumbeobachtung' or Airspace Observing. This would be a connection to a recco unit. Only a idea.

Rgds,
Kaczmarek

[Tim O.]

Originally Posted by Kaczmarek

Hi Tim,

'Luftbomben' makes no sense for me. I think it could be 'Luftraumbeobachtung' or Airspace Observing. This would be a connection to a recco unit. Only a idea.

Rgds,
Kaczmarek

Thanks Kaczmarek. That makes a lot of sense. I am slightly confused by the 'Angriff' in brackets in the first entry quoted. Have you any thoughts on this?

Thanks for the help.

[Kaczmarek]

Hi Tim,

Perhaps the crew flew on observing mission in connection with a attack on Leningrad and Kronstadt airfields. To the documentation of the effect of the attack. Reported of flak and fighter activity.

Rgds,
Kaczmarek

[Andrei Demjanko]

LB means Lichtbild or lichtgebildet- ie photograph or photographed

[Tim O.]

Thank you very much Kaczmarek and Andrei.

Another term used is 'Gefechtsaufklärung'. Is that best translated as 'battle reconnaissance' or 'armed reconnaissance'.

Thank you for all the help.

[Andrei Demjanko]

Yes, battle reconnaissance (My understanding this is the German term for Tactical Reconnaissance). Armed reconnaissance = bewaffnete Aufklärung

[Tim O.]

Thank you Andrei. That is really helpful.

[Norbert Schuchbauer]

Actually LB is Luftbild.

Regards,
Norbert

[Larry deZeng]

Norbert S. is correct, according to:

[British Air Ministry] Manual of German Air Force Terminology. German - English. Administrative and General Terms. London: n.d. (but either 1945 or 1946). See Part VI: Abbreviations, p.46.

L.