Which staffel of KG 26 in Romania fall 1941 ?

[oquaig]

Hi everyone,

In Rudi Schmidt's book "Achtung - Torpedo Los" he states that 6. staffel was based at Buzau for Black sea operations, but another source states it was 1. staffel...Who is correct ?

oquaig

[leonventer]

Based on the two references that I checked, it's 6. Staffel.

According to Steenbeck's "Die Spur des Löwen":

• I./KG 26 was based in Norway for the entire period from Jan 1941 to Nov 1942.

• II./KG 26 was based at Eleusis and Iraklion (aka Heraklion) from May to Nov 1941, with 6./KG 26 being relocated to Zilistea at the end of Aug 1941. (FYI, Zilistea is now known as Zilisteanca, and it's approx. 8 miles NE of Buzau.)

I also checked Larry deZeng's excellent "Luftwaffe Airfields 1935-1945" compilation at http://www.ww2.dk/lwairfields.html, which states that 6./KG 26 was actually based at Buzau airfield in late 1941, not Zilistea.

(Although Zilistea was one of the largest and busiest German airfields in Romania, I would tend to go with Larry's research, based on the comprehensive operational unit lists that he provides for each airfield.)

Hope that helps,
Leon Venter

[oquaig]

Thanks Leo,

That is what I thought, but I needed to be sure. Zilistea and Buzau are actually the same distance from the same airfield located next to the small town of Gara Bobocu. During the War I think Zilistea was better known and larger than now.

Thanks again
oquaig

[Chris Goss]

This is of help:

http://www.ww2.dk/air/kampf/kg26.htm

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Hello oquaig,

Originally Posted by oquaig

In Rudi Schmidt's book "Achtung - Torpedo Los" he states that 6. staffel was based at Buzau for Black sea operations, but another source states it was 1. staffel...Who is correct ?

According to Kriegsmarine docs (for example KTB ASM) there were two torpedo Staffeln on the Black Sea (6./KG26 and 1./KG28)

Best regards,
Andrey

[jim norton]

keep in mind, that very often only some parts of a unit where located at one airfield. and in this case it could be, that the staff was still in zilistea, and b. was used for missions. this was practise in southern france, too...

[oquaig]

Originally Posted by jim norton

keep in mind, that very often only some parts of a unit where located at one airfield. and in this case it could be, that the staff was still in zilistea, and b. was used for missions. this was practise in southern france, too...

Well, I have seen on more than one occasion units flying out of a given airfield, for example Priyamino, but the crews called it Bojary because that is where they were quartered.

oquaig

[oquaig]

Originally Posted by Andrey Kuznetsov

Hello oquaig,
According to Kriegsmarine docs (for example KTB ASM) there were two torpedo Staffeln on the Black Sea (6./KG26 and 1./KG28)

Best regards,
Andrey

Hi Andrey,

Yes, I was wondering about this. What I have read is that 1./KG 28 was transferred there about 2 August 1941. Any idea how many aircraft were in the staffel when it was transferred ?


thanks again

oquaig

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Hello Oquaig,

the first German report I know that the torpedo bombers were ordered to be transferred to the Black Sea was on 23.8.41 (2 He111 from KG26 and 4 He111 from KG28). And in the evening of 24.8.43 Soviet Black Sea Fleet reported the 1st torpedo attack.

Best regards,
Andrey

[oquaig]

Hi Andrey,


What is the source of the 23.8.41 German order to transfer torpedo bombers to Zilistea/Buzau?


Thanks again
oquaig