KG53. 1944

[Steve D.]

Hi I am new to the forum hello to all.

I would like to ask if anyone has a photo of an aircraft from this squadron carrying the V1 rocket.
Also what actual effect did this have on Britain at this time in the year.

Many thanks.

[PMoz99]

If you do a google search for He111H-22 and look at the images results you should see quite a few wartime pics.
As for the effect, I don't know, but I suspect not much.
Cheers
Peter

[Chris Goss]

I have a few photos but there are very few new ones which are not on the www. It was a pin prick and too late but still tied up RAF assets which shot down a number and prompted airborne early warning

[Nick Beale]

There's a book about the campaign, haven't seen it myself though: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Air-Launche...70_&dpSrc=srch

P.S. The He 111 H-22 is a bit of a myth — the type does not appear in the KG 53 and KG 3 unit strength or loss reports that I've seen, their air-launching aircraft are described as He 111 H-20. I suspect that the H-22 was a planned variant that fell victim to the end of He 111 production and that existing H-20 models were converted instead.

[Chris Goss]

I reviewed it some years ago and found it lacking IIRC

[edwest2]

The effect was a surprise and there was a reaction. It was another burden to be dealt with and so far as I know, the first time such a weapon was air-launched, much like the method used by the US to later launch the X-15.




Ed

[Steve D.]

Hi guys thanks for the information.

On the 5th November 1944 the Luftwaffe attacked and lost several aircraft from KG53 if possible does anyone know what RAF. Squadrons were sent to intercept.

Thanks again.
Steve

[Chris Goss]

I have all the claims & losses (NVMs) for this campaign if you care to PM me

[PMoz99]

Originally Posted by Nick Beale

There's a book about the campaign, haven't seen it myself though: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Air-Launche...70_&dpSrc=srch

P.S. The He 111 H-22 is a bit of a myth — the type does not appear in the KG 53 and KG 3 unit strength or loss reports that I've seen, their air-launching aircraft are described as He 111 H-20. I suspect that the H-22 was a planned variant that fell victim to the end of He 111 production and that existing H-20 models were converted instead.

Nick, I think more likely the roughly 80 H-16s and H-20s that were converted were redesignated H-22. I would be surprised if they did not give it a separate designation. Maybe the units simply weren't aware of it and reported them as H-20s? IIRC I have seen irregularities in the designations before, for example Ju88A-4 and A-14.
Most converted H-22s were delivered to II./KG53 from July 1944 onwards.
I think KG3 also had some, but I don't have much a/c info for them after July 1944 so I don't know how they designated them.
Peter

[Nick Beale]

Nick, I think more likely the roughly 80 H-16s and H-20s that were converted were redesignated H-22.

They weren't designated that way by the units operating them, however. See the three attached examples.

To me this seems very like the Ju 87 D-7 and D-8 (the supposed Nachtsclacht versions of the D-3 and D-5) that appear in all the books but not in strength returns, loss reports or wreck investigations.