Contradictory Stärkemeldungen

[Karoband]

Good Evening,

A close examination of Jan Horn's Die Augen des OKW ... Teil 1, (2021) with that of Teil 2, (2023), reveals that there were two sets of stärkmeldungen for the same aircraft from 1 to at least 18 February 1945. The differences in terminology indicate that one set was reported by Kommando Sperling and (usually at the same hour) another set by 1.(F)/123. One would expect them to be the same but there are glaring contradictions. Here is one example:

From Jan Horn, Die Augen des OKW, Fernaufklärer, Teil 1, p. 103:
" ... vom 16. Februar 1945 ...
Stärkemeldung des Kdo. Sperling um 17:30 Uhr:
' 1) Bestatzungen gesamt: 6
2) einsatzbereite Besatzungen: 6
3) Verfügbare Besatzungen: 6
4) Nicht einsatzbereite Besatzungen: 0
5) Flugzeuge gesamt: 8
6) einsatzbereite Flugzeuge: 8; 4U+BH, 4U+EH, 4U+CH, T9+HH,
T9+AH, 4U+CH, 4U+FH, 4U+IH
7) nicht einsatzbereite Flugzeuge: 0;
Keine Einsätze infolge Schlechtwetter.' "

From Jan Horn, Die Augen des OKW, Fernaufklärer, Teil 2, p. 18:
" ... am 16. Februar 1945 ...
Stärkemeldung der 1.(F)/123 vom 16. Februar 1945 um 17:30 Uhr:
' 1.) Besatzungen gesamt 6
2.) einsatzbereite Besatzungen: 6
3.) Verfügbare Besatzungen: 6
4.) Nicht einsatzbereite Besatzungen: 0
5.) Flugzeuge gesamt: 8
6.) einsatzbereite Flugzeuge: 4; 4U+BH, 4U+EH, T9+GH, T9+HH
7.) nicht einsatzbereite Flugzeuge: 4; 4U+AH, 4U+CH, 4U+FH, 4U+IH
Keine Einsätze infolge Schlechtwetter und späteren Feindaktivitäten.' "

So, which is correct?

best regards,

Jim

[Nick Beale]

I don't know what source Jan Horn used for this but simple human error is always a possibile explanation for a discrepenancy. The designation Kommando Sperling was cancelled on 7 February, so officially there was only 1.(F)/123. Even so, on some days the British did intercept two reports giving the same return at slightly different times.

I don't have a strength return for 16 February but I have published many others here and the unit never had eight serviceable aircraft that month.

The reported figures for 15 February were:

CX/MSS/R.464(C)

2. Serviceability return stamped 1630/15/2:
1. ((Total pilots)) }
2. ((Op.)) } 6
3. ((Ready)) }
4. ((Non-op.)) 0
5. ((Total a/c)) 8
6. ((Serviceability)) GH, HH, EH, BH serviceable
AH, IH, CH, FH, u/s.
Owing weather no ops.

NOTE: Source believes above from 1.(F)/123.

And for 21 February:

CX/MSS/R. 469 (C)

9. … ((2)) Dated 21/2:
Strength return:
1) ((Total pilots)) }
2) ((Op.)) } 13
3) ((Ready)) 12
4) ((Non. op.)) 0
5) ((Total a/c)) 6
6)) ((Serviceability)) 3 BH, CH, IH serviceable
AH, EH, FH unserviceable

NOTE:… Seen in file marked GAF Command WEST.

Source: ULTRA decrypts.

[Karoband]

Hi Nick,

Thank you for the research you have done on this question. As Horn's stärkemeldungen are in quotes it is obvious he has seen the original material. What is troublesome to me is that in all the strengths of 1.(F)/123 given in Teil 2, there are no 4U+GH, 4U+HH and 4U+KH, but on pages 10 and 12, in the strengths given for 5 February 1945 and 12 February 1945, there is a T9+KH as well as the known T9+GH and T9+HH. It would be nice to know his source.

best regards,

Jim

[Nick Beale]

My sources frequently give just the last two code letters but there does seem ot have been at least a temporary mix of T9+ and 4U+ unit makrkings.

I don't have a figure for 5 February, only the next day:

CX/MSS/R. 456 (C)

1. Strength return time-stamped 1700.6.2:
1. Total pilots }
2. Op. } 9
3. Ready }
4. Non-op. 0
5. Total a/c 10
6. Serv. a/c
HH, GH, DH, BH, IH serviceable.
(C%A)H, CH, EH u/s
464*, 460* serviceable.

NOTES: (1) Believed to be to GAF Command West.

(2) Similar return on 5/2 from detachment SPERLING (now called 1 (F) 123) in MSS/R.453(C)18. Above return shows increase of 4 a/c.

(3) *These numbers are possibly the last three figures of a/c works numbers, or series for Arado 234 having been established by Source, who reported on 16/1 2 a/c of 1 (F) 100 numbered 140310 and 140315 (MSS/T.432/75) and on 25/1 a ZINN (Arado 234) a/c of KG 76 numbered 140452 (MSS/R/442(C)36). A/c 464 already reported in returns for 4/2 and 5/2 (MSS/R.453(C)18)

For 12 February:

CX/MSS/R.461(C)

3. Dated 12/2:
Serviceability report:
1. ((total pilots)) }
2. ((operational)) } 6
3. ((ready)) }
4. ((non-operational)) 0
5. ((total a/c)) 8
6. ((serviceability)) GH, HH, EH, BH serviceable
AH, IH, CH, FH, u/s.
No ops. owing to the weather.

NOTE: Similar return from 1.(F)/123 for 11/2 in MSS/R459(C)3.

[Karoband]

Many, many thanks, Nick. Your postings above fill some of the gaps in the strengths that Horn did not include.