Weekly appreciation of German air force on the western front - commands, groups and stations

Weekly appreciation of German air force on the western front - commands, groups and stations

Covers period 28 January 1944 to 4 February 1944. Lists units for long range bombers, long range recce, fighter bomber, twin engine fighters, tactical recce and coastal. Followed by short note of disposition of fighters on western front. Follows a table with numbers and types of aircraft at bases in France, Belgium, Netherlands, North West Germany, Denmark and Norway, South West Germany, South East Germany, and Russian Front. Notes on squadron strengths, training units, fighter bombers and single engine fighters. Followed by estimate of strength and disposition of single engine and twin engine rocket-motor fighters in the German Air Force as at 1 February 1944. Followed by table of order of battle changes.

1944-02-04

Six page typewritten document

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S102SqnRAF19170809v30007

[inserted] AIR 14/3112 [underlined] O.R.S [/underlined] RAS [/inserted]

[underlined] No. 129. [/underlined]

[underlined] BRITISH SECRET EQUALS UNITED STATES SECRET. [/underlined]

[underlined] WEEKLEY APPRECIATION OF THE GERMAN AIR FORCE ON THE WESTERN FRONT COMMANDS, GROUPS AND STATIONS. [/underlined]

[underlined] N.B. [/underlined] This document must not go beyond Station H.Q. It contains information from secret sources which must be safeguarded in every possible way. It should therefore be given the maximum degree of security compatible wit usefulness within the limit prescribed.

[underlined] January 28th (Dawn) – February 4th (Dawn), 1944. [/underlined]

The following units, arranged by types approximately in order of their scale of effort, have been identified on operations on the Western Front during the week.

[underlined] LONG RANGE BOMBERS. [/underlined]

V/K.G.2. II.K.G.6. III/K.G.2. I/K.G.76
III/K.G.6. I/K.G.54. II/K.G.2. I/K.G.100 (part)
I/K.G.6. I/K.G.66 II/K.G.54. III/K.G.40.
I/K.G.2. I/K.G.40.

[Underlined] LONG RANGE RECCE. [/underlined]

Westa 1. Westa 51. 1(F) 120. 1F.A.Gr.5.
Westa 2. 1(F) 22. 3(F) 123 Special Recce, Schwarm, Bordeaux
Westa 5.

[underlined] FIGHTER BOMBERS [/underlined]

I/S.K.G.10.

[underlined] TWIN-ENGINED FIGHTERS [/underlined]

N.J.G.3. N.J.G.1. N.J.G.5. I.Z.G.1.
N.J.G.2. N.J.G.4.

[underlined] TACTICAL RECCE. [/underlined]

N.A.Gr.13.

[underlined] COASTAL. [/underlined]

2/131 1/130

[underlined] DISPOSITION OF FIGHTERS – WESTERN FRONT [/underlined]

[underlined] NOTES:- [/underlined] (1) Where place names are marked with an asterisk, they are thought to be in use as operational bases. In all other cases the place names are only intended as a convenient means of suggesting the area in which fighter aircraft may be expected to operate.

(2) Single-engined night-fighters are shown with an N, twin engine day-fighters with a D.

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2.

[a] [b] Me.109/F.W.190 of Fighter-Bomber, Recce. & Coastal Units [c] S.E.F. 1st Lino [d] R.T.U. [e] T.E.F. 1st Line [f] R.T.U.

[a] x Nimes [d] 10
[a] Marseilles/Marignane [d] 10
[a] x Tououse/Blagnac [d] 10
[a] x Pau [d] 10

[underlined] FRANCE W. of the Seine. [underlined]

[a] Biarritz-Bayonne Anglet [d] 10
[a] x Cazaux and Bordeaux [d] 10
[a] x Bordeaux/Merignac [e] 10D
[a] St. Jean d’Angley and La Rochelle [d] 20
[a] x Chateauroux [d] 10
[a] x Tours [d] 10
[a] x Kerlin/Bastard [e]30D (+10D)
[a] x Brest/Guipavas [c] 10
[a] x Gael [c]10
[a] x Breast/Lanveoc Poulmic [b]5C
[a] x Dinard [b] 10R
[a] x Lannion and Morlaix [b] 10 R
[a] Cherbourg/Maupertus [b] 10R
[a] Beaumont-le-Roger, Bernay Area [c] 20
[a] x Conches [c]15
[a] Evreux [c] 30
[a] x St. Andree de L’Eure [c] 10 D & N
[a] x Chartres [d] 10
[a] Paris Area [d] 10
[a] Orleans/Bricy [d] 10

[underlined] FRANCE (East of the Seine) AND BELGIUM [/underlined]

[a] x St. Dizier [e] 10
[a] x Dole/Tavaux [e] 10
[a] x Dijon [e] 10
[a] x Juvincourt [e] 30
[a] x Florennes [e] 10
[a] x Laon/Athies [e] 10
[a] Nancy and Metz Area [d] 10 [e] 5 [f] 5
[a] Cormeilles-en-Vexin/Creil [c] 20
[a] x Rosieres-en-Santerre [b]30 F.B.
[a] x Cambrai/Epinoy [c] 30
[a] St. Omer/Fort Rouge [c] 5
[a] x St. Trond [e] 30

[underlined] HOLLAND [/underlined]

[a] x Gilze Rijen [e] 35
[a] Gilze Rijen Area [c] 10 [e] 10
[a] Eindhoven [c] 10
[a] x Volkel [c] 20
[a] x Venlo and area [c]60 [e] 30
[a] x Deelan [c] 30 [e] 15
[a] x Leeuwarden [e] 20
[a] x Eedle [c] 30
[a] x Twente/Enschede [e] 30

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3.

[a] [b] Me.109/F.W.190 of Fighter-Bomber, Recce. & Coastal Units [c] S.E.F. 1st Line [d] R.T.U. [e] T.E.F. 1st Line [f] R.T.U.

[underlined] N.W. GERMANY (N. of 49°) [/underlined]

[a] Duisburg Area [c] 35
[a] Cologne Area [c] 35N (+35)
[a] x Lippspinge [e] 30D
[a] x Rheine [c] 15
[a] Rheine Area [c] Nil (-35)
[a] Munster [c] 10
[a] x Achmer [c] 15 [e] 15D
[a] x Quakenbruck [e] 10
[a] x Hesepe [e] Nil (-30D)
[a] x Vechta [e] 15
[a] x Oldenburg [c] 30
[a] x Nordholz [e] 5
[a] Borkum [c] 5
[a] x Wittmundhafen/Ardorf [e] 10
[a] x Jever and Area [c] 30
[a] Bremen Area [c] 30
[a] x Stade [e] 20
[a] x Wunstorf [c] 30 [e] 35D
[a] Hannover Area [e] 30D (+30D)
[a] x Brunswick/Waggum [f] 10D
[a] x Kassel/Rothwesten [e] 20
[a] Hamburg Area [c] 35N
[a] x Husum [c] 20
[a] Schleswig Area [c] 30N
[a] x Schleswig/Jagel [e] 15
[a] x Westerland/Sylt [e] 10
[a] x Magdeburg and Zerbst [d] 10
[a] x Stendal [e] 10
[a] x Juterbog [e] 10
[a] x Doberitz [e] 5
[a] Berlin Area [c] 30N [e] 30
[a] x Ludwigslust [c] 30
[a] x Parchim [e] 30
[a] x Neuruppin [e] 10
[a] x Konigsberg/Neumark [e] 10
[a] x Greifswald [e] 20
[a] Mainz Area [e] 30
[a] x Lachen/Speyersdorf [d] 10
[a] Mannheim Area [e] Nil (-15)
[a] x Wiesbaden [c] 30 (+30)
[a] Frankfurt Area [c] (Nil (-30) (30N
[a] x Wertheim [e] 30D
[a] x Kitzingen [f] 10
[a] x Furth [d]10
[a] Unlocated [e] 30

[underlined] DENMARK AND NORWAY [/underlined]

[a] x Grove [e] 20
[a] x Aalborg [e] 10
[a] x Aalborg and Frederikshavn [c] 10
[a] x Copenhagen/Kastrup [e] 10
[a] x Kristiansand S/Kjevik [c]10
[a] x Lista [c] 10
[a] x Stavanger/Sola [b] 5R. [c] 10
[a] x Herdla [c] 10
[a] Bergan Area [e] 10D (+10D)
[a] Trondheim and Gossen [c] 10
[a] Bodo Elvenes [c] 5
[a] TOTAL I.E [b] 5C. 30 F.B. 35 R. [c] 655 160(N) [d] 170 [e] 585 (-15) 190D (+20d) [f] 25

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4.

[g] [h] S.E.F. 1st Line [i] R.T.U. [j] T.E.F. 1st Line [k] R.T.U.

[underlined] S.W. GERMANY (S. OF 49°N,)

[g] Stuttgart/Munich Area [j] (35 (-15) (95D [k] 10
[g] x Bad Woerishofen [h] 40
[g] x Lechfeld [k] 15
[g] Munich Area [k] 15
[g] TOTAL I.E [h] 40 [j] 35 (-15) 95D [k] 40

[underlined] S.E. GERMANY (E. of 13°E.) [/underlined]

[g] x Bad Voeslau [i] 10
[g] Vienna Area [h] 30 [j] 30D
[g] x Deutsch-Wagram [h] 30
[g] x Zeltweg [j] 10
[g] TOTAL I.E. [h] 60 [i] 10 [j] 30(D) 10 (N)

[underlined] RUSSIAN FRONT [/underlined]

[g] Konigsberg [j] 10

[underlined] NOTES:- [/underlined]

(a) It is considered that one of the S.E. Fighter Staffeln in S. Norway has a strength of about 20 aircraft.

(b) There are indications that the Ju.88 Fighters based in Western France are carrying out a small number of free-lance night interception patrols over the Bay of Biscay.

(c) [underlined] Training Units. [/underlined] The figures shown in the above table under the heading of R.T.U., represent the estimated strength of training aircraft considered likely to operate.

Greater number of aircraft are present at the bases indicated, but the remainder are not likely to participate in active operations.

(d) [underlined] Fighter Bombers. [/underlined] The fighter bombers shown above may operate from any temporary base from Brest to the Frisians at any time without our obtaining previous knowledge of their movements.

Fighter Bombers and S.E.F. type reconnaissance aircraft may also operate in emergency as defensive fighters.

Aircraft of a Staffel of Single-Engined Fighters in the ST. ANDRE DE L’EURE Area operate as night fighters.

It is considered that a total of up to 20 S.E. and T.E. fighters are liable to operate in defence of industrial targets, training or factory airfields, repair depots and aircraft parts in Germany and occupied territory. Those aircraft are only for local defence and do not form part of the establishment of first line operational fighter units.

In addition to the above, fighter units which are re-equipping in Southern Germany and Austria are liable to operate in a defensive capacity when called upon to do so.

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5.

[underlined] Estimate of Strength and Disposition of Single Engine and Twin Engine Rocket-Mortar Fighters in the G.A.F. at 1st February, 1944. [/underlined]

1. The following is a revised estimate of the available strength and disposition of Rocket Mortar fighters in the G.A.F. as at 1st February, 1944.

2. [underlined] WESTERN FRONT. [/underlined]

[underlined] S.E. Types [/underlined]

[underlined] Location [/underlined] [underlined] Estimated Strength [/underlined]

FRANCE (West of the Seine) 10
HOLLAND 20/30
N.W. GERMANY (N. of 49°N) 30/40

TOTAL WESTERN FRONT 60/80 A/C

[underlined] T.E. Types [/underlined]

[underlined] Location [/underlined] [underlined] Estimated Strength [/underlined]

HOLLAND 30/40
N.W. GERMANY (N. of 49 °N) 130/150
DENMARK 10

[symbol] TOTAL WESTERN FRONT 170/200 A/C

3.

SOUTH WEST GERMANY
(S. OF 49°N) 10 70/100

SOUTH EAST GERMANY (E. OF 13°E) 15 NIL

MEDITERRANEAN (Italy) 20 NIL
(Greece) 10 NIL

TOTAL ESTIMATED STRENGTH ALL AREAS: 115/135 A/C 240/300 A/C

[symbol] An allowance for 70/100 Twin-engine Night Fighters equipped with Rocket Mortars and likely to operate by day, has been made in the above estimates.

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6.

[underlined] ORDER OF BATTLE CHANGES. [/underlined]

[l] L.R.B [m] Operational [n] Non-Operational [o] DIVE BOMBERS [p]Operational [q] Non-Operational

[l]Previous totals u/i [m] 978 [n] 390 7 [o] Previous totals u/i [p] 339 [q] Nil 11

[l] Gs.Stab KG40 NON -OPERATIONAL [m] Nil (-3) [n] Nil [o] II/St KG2 NON-OPERATIONAL [p] Nil (-30) [q] Nil
[l] 1 and 2 [o] II/StKG77 NON OPERATIONAL [p] Nil (-30) [q] Nil
[l] KG40 NW.GERMANY [m] 18
[l] I/KG54 NW. GERMANY [m] 30 (+30) [n] Nil (-30)
[l] I/KG100 Part NW. GERMANY [m] 9 (+9) [n] Nil (-9)
[l] II/KG100S. FRANCE [m] 30
[l] u/i [m] 1010 (+36) [n] 351 (-39) 10 [o] u/i [p] 279 (-60) [q] Nil 11
[m] 361 [n] 361 [p]11 [q] 11
[m]1375 [p] 290

[l] S.E.F [o]T.E.F.
[l] Previous totals [m] 1522 [n] 32 [o] Previous total [p] 996 [q] Nil
[l] u/i [n] 11 [o] u/i [q] 39
[l] 5/JG5 BULGARIA [m] 30 (+30) [n] Nil (-18) [o] II/NJG2 KASSEL/ROTHWESTEN AND DEELEN [p] 30
[m] 1552 (+30) [n] 14 (-18) [p] 996 [q] Nil
[l] u/i [n] 14 [o] u/i [q] 39
[m] 28 [n] 28 [p] 39 [q] 39
[m] 1580 [p] 1035

[l] L.R.R. [o] COASTAL
[l] Previous totals [m] 339 [n] 15 [o] Previous totals [p] 153 [q] 9
[l] u/i [n] 11 [o] u/i [q] 8
[l] 1(F) 22 STAVANGER/SOLA AND TRONHDHEIM/VAERNES [m] 9 [o] 1/Sea Recce. Gruppe 131 BLACK SEA [p] 9 (+9) [q] (Nil (-9)
[m] 339 [n] 15 [p] 162 [q] Nil
[l] u/i [n] 11 [o] u/i [q] 8
[m] 26 [n] 26 [o] u/i [p] 8 [q] 8
[m] 365 [p] 170

[r] [s] Operational [t] Non-Operational [u] Total

[r] L.R. Bombers [s] 1014 (+36) [t] 361 (-36) [u] 1375
[r] L.R Recce. [s] 339 [t] 26 [u] 365
[r] Dive Bombers [s] 279 (-60) [t] 11 [u] 290 (-60)
[r] Fighter Bombers and Anti-Tank [s] 216 [t] 64 [u] 280
[r] S.E. Fighters [s] 1552 (+30) [t] 28 (-15) [u] 1580 (+15)
[r] T.E. Fighters [s] 996 [t] 39 [u] 1035
[r] Tactical Recce. [s] 315 [t] 10 [u] 325
[r] Coastal [s] 162 (+9) [t] 8(-9) [u] 170
[s] 4873 (+15) [t] 547 (-60) [u] 5420 (-45)

[underlined] A.I.3.(b). [/underlined]
[underlined] 4.2.44. [/underlined]