|
Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the German Luftwaffe and the Air Forces of its Allies. |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Operations in Kurland
In the Kurland pocket, did the fighters of JG 51 and JG 54 fly close-support (i.e., jabo) missions, or was this type of thing left to the Ju 87s and Fw 190s of SG 3?
|
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Operations in Kurland
I'm not sure about JG 51 elements that were in Kurland, but two sources indicate that JG 54 flew at least some operations against ground and maritime targets. In Todeskessel Kurland, p. 213, author Franz Kurowski states that Lt Paul Brandt, a staffelkapitaen in JG 54, destroyed three Russian T-34 tanks and 20 vehicles. In March 1945, Lt Norbert Hannig and his schwarm sunk a Soviet torpedo boat and damaged another that later sank. The source of this info is: Werner Held et al, JG 54: A Photographic History of the Gruenherzjaeger, p. 184. Regards.
|
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Operations in Kurland
Thanks, Mark. It'd be interesting to find out if JG 51 flew the same types of missions.
|
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Operations in Kurland
Re: Norbert Hannig.
For what it's worth I'm behind on my reading. I can't seem to make much progress on the books on Rall, Schnauffer and Lent, but find myself reading Norbert Hannig's book for the third time. It's Hannig's writing style and personality is what makes his book so interesting. The closest I've seen to it is Knoke's book, "I flew for the Führer". Make sure you don't miss this one. |
#5
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Operations in Kurland
Dumb question I suppose, but what book did Hannig write? I have always thought of Clostermann's "The Big Show" and Knoke's "I flew for the Fuehrer" as coming the closest to making me feel like I was in the cockpit, sweating right along with them.
|
#6
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Operations in Kurland
Quote:
From the Eastern Front to the Defence of the Homeland Edited and translated by John Weal fyi, JG 51 wasn't in the Kurland-Kessel Luftflotte 1: Stab/SG 3 II./SG 3 III./SG 3 III./SG 4 NSGr.3 Stab/NAGr. 5 1./NAGr. 5 2./NAGr. 5 Stab/JG 54 I./JG 54 II./JG 54
__________________
Bruce Hals- und Beinbruch! |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Operations in Kurland
I found Wotan's statement that JG 51 wasn't in Kurland interesting in light of some other sources.
The list of bases for I./JG 51 on Tony Wood's site gives Libau (also used by JG 54 in Kurland) as the Gruppe's base from 11-44 to 23.1.44 (sic). I am assuming this is a typo and it is meant to read 23.1.45. However, I also note that in Aders' and Held's book, Jagdgeschwader 51 "Moelders," p. 167, they say that I Gruppe was stationed at several different locations in West and East Prussia in November and December 1944. This would appear to be at odds with the information on Tony Wood's site. At the same time, on p. 163, Aders and Held mention that JG 51 participated in tough air battles in the Kurland area in August 1944. They also say, p.166, that the Stabstaffel of JG 51 flew ship escort missions with elements of JG 54. The timeframe appears to be September-October 1944. Can anyone else shed light on the question of JG 51 and the defense of Kurland? Thanks in advance. |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Operations in Kurland
Thanks for the information, Wotan. Based on your excellent review, I have ordered a copy of the book.
Thanks again, George |
#9
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Operations in Kurland
Quote:
|
#10
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Operations in Kurland
I stand corrected.
George |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
12 Squadron Operations Feb ~April '42 | Rick47 | Allied and Soviet Air Forces | 2 | 17th January 2007 03:14 |
Bv222 operations in high Arctic | PlaneKrazy | The Second World War in General | 0 | 13th April 2006 06:58 |
OKL Ia Operations - SITREPs - 1945 | RodM | Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces | 2 | 22nd December 2005 00:41 |
He 177 Operations? | HeinkelBomber | Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces | 4 | 4th October 2005 13:02 |
German naval operations | edwest | Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces | 2 | 10th July 2005 15:10 |