Gruppe Kdr's KG53 8.40

[steve sheridan]

Hi, im trying to tabulate the Order of Battle for KG53 13.8.40

Looking at a number of sources, there appears to be a descrepancy with II/ KG53. I have the following:

Mjr Fritz Winkler Grp Kdr, listed on various sites on the net and listed in Francis K Mason's Battle of Britain book, until replaced by a Mjr Max Gruber who in turn was captured on 15.9.40
I also have seen an ObstLt Kohlbach in charge of II/KG53 during this period!

My information leads me to think that Mjr Reinhold Tamm was the Grp Kdr
until his demise on the 18.8.40.
According to Michael Holm's site, and the Chronik of KG53 by Heinz Kiehl,
Tamm wasn't replaced until 18.9.40 as Grp Kdr by Mjr Hans Steinweg.
Could it be Winkler replaced Tamm, and also Gruber until he was captured 3 days before Steinweg's appointment??

Also there is uncertainty over the III/KG53 Kommandeur!
various sources claim Mjr Friedrich Edler von Braun was c/o of III/KG53,
again Mason's work states this, where as i believe the correct Kdr was
Mjr Willi Rohrbacher!!

Can anybody confirm these positions, as every publication i look at there
is varying information.

Best regs,
Steve.

[Peter Cornwell]

I have the following listed. Hope it helps rather than hinders:

Gruppenkommandeur II./KG53:
Oberstlt Wilhelm KOHLBACH POW 10.5.40
Major Reinhold TAMM + 18.8.40
Major Max GRUBER POW 15.9.40
Major Hans STEINWEG
Major Fritz WINKLER

Gruppenkommandeur III./KG53:
Major Karl RITSCHERLE + 28.8.40
Major Hermann ROHRBACHER + 8.12.40

[steve sheridan]

Good evening Peter,
Thanks for your list, it appears much as the same as i have,
thanks all the same.
Just one name though, Major Max Gruber, where did he come from and did he take over the Gruppe from Tamm after the 18.8.40?

Best regs,
Steve.

[Chris Goss]

OK but what about this one? Kiehl has no St Kap for 6/KG 53 prior to Oct 40 when Fritz Pockrandt took over. However, I have that an Oblt Buttlar was the St Kap-I have Oblt Dietrich Von Buttlar with 1/KG 53 (awarded EKI 30 Sep 40 for an attack on Derby the night before) and I have nothing on him until May 43 when he was killed with I/KG 6 (EKM 65115)

[steve sheridan]

Hi Chris,
ive waited for years to get a copy of Kiehl's book on KG53, and the more i try to disect it, the more and more i get frustrated with the text.
I guess these things make being an avid researcher more enjoyable.. not!

Thanks for your imput Chris, i do appreciate it.

Best regs,
Steve.

[Chris Goss]

Steve: Are you just interested in KG 53 BofB as I have a few more conumdrums but 1944

[ju55dk]

This was the situation in june-july 1940 according to:

RL 2 II/110 Aufstellung über Geschwaderkdr+Gruppenkdr. der Fl.Verbände:
KG 53 Ob Stahl.
I. Maj Kaufmann, II. OTL Kohlbach, III. Maj Edler v Braun.

List can be found in BA/MA Freiburg.

Junker

[steve sheridan]

Hi Chris,
Yes my main area of interest is typically 1939 - 41 although id be still keen to see your conumdrums.. If you pardon the expression!!
I still avidly follow all Luftwaffe operations and theatre's, although the previously mentioned, are my favourite.

Junker, many thanks RL2 II/ 110 records, it appears that the Gruppen Kdr's may be as stated then, according to this document. Rohrbacher seems to be Grp Kdr in most publications, but then Edler von Braun keeps popping up! Mmm! its a tough one this? Guess we may never know?
Thanks for the contributions guys.

Best regs,
Steve.