JG3 Stalingrad

[stephen f. polyak]

Looking for the dates that elements of JG3, Platzschutzstaffel (airfield defence squadron), first arrived at Pitomnik and Gumrak airfields. Thank you

[leonventer]

Hi Stephen,

According to Jochen Prien and Gerhard Stemmer in "Messerschmitt Bf 109 im Einsatz bei Stab und I./JG 3", "... II./JG 3" and "... III./JG 3":

• Stab/JG 3 was based at Pitomnik from 13 Sep - 20 Nov 1942.
• I./JG 3 was based at Pitomnik from 24 Sep - 28 Nov 1942.
• II./JG 3 was based at Pitomnik from 12 Dec - late Dec 1942, although some members stayed behind to serve in the Platzschutzstaffel (see below.)
• III./JG 3 was based at Pitomnik from 10 Sep - 22 Nov 1942.

The Platzschutzstaffel was based at Pitomnik from 19 Nov 1942 - 17 Jan 1943. Initially, it seems to have consisted of Hptm. Germeroth's 3./JG 3, but from 12 Dec 1942 onwards, it also included volunteers from II./JG 3.

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According to Christer Bergström in "Black Cross Red Star Vol. 3: Everything for Stalingrad" (Eagle Editions, 2006):

• III./JG 3 arrived at Pitomnik on September 10-11 1942 (p. 151)
• I./JG 3 arrived at Pitomnik in late September (p. 164)

I didn't see any references to Gumrak in these volumes.

Hope that helps,
Leon Venter