Luftwaffe gem. Flak Abt. 344

[Jayhammond]

Looking for information on this flak unit beyond who commanded it and where it was formed and disbanded it. What I’m really interested to know is how many guns did it have, where exactly was it in Paris April 1944, how many men were in the unit, were there search lights with the unit, how about radar, etc. So far all I’ve been able to find out is unit commanders, etc. which is not really what I’m after. If this forum is not the right place to look/ask questions can someone direct me to where I should be asking these questions? Thanks.

[Nick Beale]

Axis History Forum and Feldgrau.net can be very useful for detailed unit information but it sounds like you may have tried those already.

[edwest2]

Here is some information: http://www.ww2.dk/ground/flak/abt/gem344.html

[Larry deZeng]

Originally Posted by Jayhammond

Looking for information on this flak unit beyond who commanded it and where it was formed and disbanded it. What I’m really interested to know is how many guns did it have, where exactly was it in Paris April 1944, how many men were in the unit, were there search lights with the unit, how about radar, etc. So far all I’ve been able to find out is unit commanders, etc. which is not really what I’m after. If this forum is not the right place to look/ask questions can someone direct me to where I should be asking these questions? Thanks.

I've been researching the Flakwaffe for nearly 50 years now and surviving documentation is fragmented and very sparse. The only source I haven't fully examined yet are the Flak unit claims. You can find some information on locating these right here on this website: search for "Flak claims". Also, a member here by the name of Theo Boiten knows more about these claims than anyone I know of. Whether or not you will ever be able to find out exactly where in the Paris area each of the 6 batteries was sited in April 1944 is questionable with odds no better than 25% at best.

L.deZ.


gem.Flak-Abt. 344 (v))
Formed: October 1941 in Wien (Vienna) on the call for general mobilization as Res.Flak-Abt. 344 (to Jul 42) with a Stab, 3 heavy batteries (1.-3./344) and 1 light battery (4./344). Reorganized as a gemischte (mixed) Abteilung between July and October 1942. Eventually had 6 numbered batteries (1.-6./344) of which 3 were RAD batteries from `1943 until disbandment. (Tessin; Kannapin; www.ww2.dk)
Lineage and Subordination: see: Tessin or (www.ww2.dk).
History
Apr 42: Abt. deployed in Paris or the surrounding area under Flak-Rgt. 59 (Stab in Paris). (www.ww2.dk)
22 Jan 43: 1.Battr./344 reported 3 men KIA in bombing at Cherbourg-Théville. (Ob.d.L Loss Reports).
Sep 43: Stab in Paris/France under 13. Flak-Div. (CX/MSS/3174/T17; Kannapin; Tessin)
8 Sep 43: 1., 2., 3. and 4./Flak-Abt. 344 ordered to provide training personnel for the setting up of an Alarm-Flak-Battr. (H) in the city of Caen and at Carpiquet airfield that was to be equipped with 6 captured 7.5 cm guns being brought in from Monpellier. Half of the personnel were to be provided by 716. Inf.Div. at Caen and the other half from 1./Flughafen-Schutz-Rgt. Westfrankreich at Carpiquet. (716. Inf.Div. Ia 1273/43 geh.)
1 Nov 43: Paris or the surrounding area under Flak-Rgt. 59 (Stab in Paris)/13. Flak-Div. (Tessin; www.ww2.dk)
1 Jan 44: now under Flak-Rgt. 59 (Stab in Paris)/5. Flak-Brigade. (Tessin; www.ww2.dk)
1 Feb 44: under Flak-Rgt. 59 (Stab in Paris)/5. Flak-Brigade. (Tessin; www.ww2.dk)
1 Mar 44: location not given but came under Flak-Rgt. 59 (Stab in Paris)/13. Flak-Div. (Tessin; www.ww2.dk)
1 Apr 44: under Flak-Rgt. 59 (Stab in Paris)/13. Flak-Div. (Tessin; www.ww2.dk)
1 May 44: under Flak-Rgt. 59 (Stab in Paris)/1. Flak-Brigade. (Tessin; www.ww2.dk)
7 May 44: a Zug from 6./344 transferred to Luxeuil with 16 men, 3 x 2.0 cm guns and 1 searchlight. (CX/MSS/R179/52)
28 May 44: deployed in the Dreux area. (ULTRA KV6627)
7 Jun 44: Abt. departed the Paris area with Stab, 1. and 3./344 ordered to transfer immediately to Quillebeuf-sur-Seine to protect bridge repair work and river ferries. (ULTRA KV6822)
11 Jun 44: Stab in Notre-Dame-de-Gravenchon on the E bank of the Seine across from Quillebeuf-sur-Seine. (CX/MSS/T213/29)
22 Jun 44: 2./344 reported arrival and operational readiness at Caudebec-lés-Elbeuf; mission was to protect the 6+ rail and road bridges along a loop in the Seine River c. 18.5 km SSW of Rouen. (CX/MSS/T223/98)
15 Jul 44: Stab and elements at Caudebec-lés-Elbeuf under Flak-Rgt. 100/13. Flak-Div. (NARA T-971 roll 18/frame 053)
Aug 44: Stab and elements in Rouen area. (Tessin).
26 Aug 44: 1. and 3./911 and 2./344 being investigated for blowing up their guns prematurely without authorization. (BNA HW 5/574)
29 Aug 44: gem.Flak-Abt. 344 (v) ordered to transfer from the Caudebec – Rouen area to Bellencombre/26.5 km SSE of Dieppe. (ULTRA)
Sep44: noted as „destroyed in France” (Tessin)
Oct 44: gem.Flak-Abt. 344 (v) ordered disbanded. (Tessin)
FpNs: Stab (L 27511), 1. Batterie (L 08956), 2. Batterie (L 09303), 3. Batterie (L 09752), 4. Batterie (L 47517), 5. Batterie (L 10718), 6. Batterie (L 00278), 7. Batterie (L ?).
Kommandeur:
Maj. Meyer ( ? - ? ) 7/44


Other Officers:
BERG, ? , Maj.
ENDERLEIN, Johannes, Hptm.d.R. Battr.-Chef.
FISCHER, Hans, Hptm. Battr.-Chef.
GRESS, Hans, Oblt.d.R.
WOLFF, Reinmar, Hptm.