Who was at Polangen in June 1941 ?

[oquaig]

Hi guys,

I am looking at a NARA file Lageberichte 10 showing a Staffel (JG 54 ?) was based at Polangen (in Lithuania just north of Memel) on 27 June 1941. Any Idea who it was ?

Thanks in advance
Oquaig

[Larry deZeng]

Polangen (Palanga):
Not in my extensive notes on JG 54. It could be that a single Staffel (or less) swooped in for a quick look around and to refuel, and weren't there even 24 hours. If that's the case, then JG 54 is your best bet. This title may have the answer:

Timin, Mikhail. Air Battles Over the Baltic 1941: The Air War on 22 June 1941 – The Battle for Stalin’s Baltic Region. Warwick (U.K.): Helion & Co., Ltd., 2018. ISBN 978-1-911512-56-1. Hb. Dj. 400p. c.200 photos. 37p. of color aircraft profiles (3 or 4 per page). 9 color maps. 12 tables. 4 appendices. Index.

L.

[oquaig]

Hi Larry,


Timin doesn't mention anything about Polangen (Palanga). He confines himself to actions on 22 June. Can you recommend a good source for JG 54 movements in June 1941 ?


Thanks

Oquaig

[leonventer]

Yes, there's unfortunately nothing of substance about Polangen in Timin's book -- just some passing references in the text, and only regarding events on June 22, as Oquiag said. (Confusingly, it's referred to as "Palanga" in the narrative, but on the color maps it's named "Polanga".)

I also checked the following references for any mentions of Polangen in late June '41:

• Prien, Stemmer, Rodeike, Bock "Jagdfliegerverbände, Teil 6/II", Struve Druck
• Saintes "La Jagdgeschwader 54, tome 1", Lela Presse
• Bergström "Black Cross Red Star, vol. 1 (revised edition)", Vaktel Förlag
• Bob "Jagdgeschwader 54 Grünherzjäger", Helios Verlag
• Held, Bob, Trautloft "JG 54: A Photographic History", Schiffer Pubs

but came up empty.

The JFV volume by Prien provides the most detail on JG 54's operations and movements during Barbarossa, but the Saintes book is also a very worthwhile resource.
The Schiffer book provides an extensive list and map of the most important airfields used by JG 54 (over 160 locations!), but it does not include Polangen.

Hope that helps,
Leon Venter

[Larry deZeng]

Oquaig -

Leon's findings are VERY thorough. My notes only including material from the last three on Leon's list, Bergström, Bob and Held. But they also include all of the June 1941 data I encountered over 40 years of research in the applicable rolls of NARA T-312, T-313, T-321, T-501 plus the BNA ULTRA signals and a number of other primary sources. No mention of Lw. air units at Polangen (Palanga) 23 to 30 June 1941. Sorry.

L. deZ.

[oquaig]

Thanks to both of you for that. Prien is on my wish list. I have a copy of Bergström's book. Looking at again I am reminded that Ergänzungs gruppe 54 at Lindenthal with I./JG 54.

What I am looking at is T312 R546 frame 8154912 states: “Intentions for the 28 6 41:

...relocated: 1 JG Gruppe to Dunaburg,
2 Staffeln to Schaulen,
1 Staffel to Polangen


In the course of June 27th was relocated:
1 JG Gruppe to Dunaberg,
1 JG Gruppe to Schaulen, "

The problem I have with Michael Holm's page is that it states I. Gruppe JG 54 arrived in Schaulen (Siauliai) on 25 June. But T312 R78 frame 8430988 States " Siauliai airfield falls to 21 ID 14.30 hrs. 26.6.41" and T312 R781 frame 8430999 states " Siauliai airfield to be cleared for Fighters" the time of this message is 12.35 hrs 27.6.41. So they couldn't have arrived any sooner than late afternoon 27 June. Maybe it was Ergänzungs gruppe 54 at Polangen ? Just speculating here.


Cheers

[Larry deZeng]

Often times in rapidly changing situations, especially during advances and withdrawals, plans were amended or canceled by telephone and no record of these calls remain. So a Staffel intended for Polangen at one moment may have been directed elsewhere by telephone at another moment. 81 years later, we just don't know with any certainty.

L. deZ.