KG40 airfields in France

[Henofred]

Hello,

I shall like to know if one of you knows why a part of III./KG40 was present at Avord between February and March, 1944?

It is proved that at least 8./KG40 was present on this airfield because a Fw200 C-4 of this Staffel was shot down at takeoff on February 5th by P-38s of the 20th FG which protected the Forts bombing Avord airfield at this time there.

They were in training? Avord A/F is located in centre of France and far from the Atlantic Ocean, usual operations theater of the Gruppe.

All the best,
Frederic

[Chris Goss]

Having contacted 2 of the crew of the FW 200 in question, they were flying operations from Avord, flying forward to Cognac to pick up HS 293s. My guess is because of the attacks on Bordeaux and Cognac a few weeks before, they had moved to Avord

[Henofred]

Hello Chris,

Thank you for this details…but..Do they know how long they stayed in Avord and what were the Staffeln?

In my previous message, I had thought at training because pilots of He177 were also formed at Avord and Bourges A/Ds. The He1177 bomber was also using this model of Hs123 bomb.

I think also that after the attack of February 5th, 1944 they felt vulnerable also on this base and they came back a couple of weeks later to their home airfield. For this day there, an American report points out that they attacked (20th FG) four large planes at takeoff and that two succeeded in disappearing in the haze. 20th FG claims would have been able to be larger!

Merci,
All the best,
Frederic

[Henofred]

Oups!

Sorry...read Hs293 bombs...

Regards,
Frederic

[Chris Goss]

I am afraid that I cannot answer your question for certain apart from it was 8 Staffel and that elements of the Gruppe seemed to be spread between Avord and St Jean D'Angely and that they did return to Cognac some time in Mar 44. As to my contacts, they cannot answer your question because they were in hospital. I have all the details from 20 FG having contacted one of the American pilots

[Henofred]

Hello Chris,

I would be very interested to read what says the 20th FG’s pilot about this mission. I make a research work on this region of France and the two airfields of Bourges and Avord.

Best regards,
Frederic

[Chris Goss]

I will see what I can do but I am going away for a few days. Suggest you PM me over the weekend

[Henofred]

OK Chris, I will make like that.
All the best,
Frederic

[BALLANGER]

Hello,
Which Unit of KG 40 (7./KG 40 or 8./KG 40 or 9./KG 40) was in Cognac Base, starting and date of arrival.
Which Unit of KG 40 (7./KG 40 or 8.KG 40 or 9./KG 40) was in St Jean d'Angely, starting and date of arrival.

[Chris Goss]

Look at www.ww2.dk/air/kampf/kg40.htm