Ju-88A KG51.3 (9K+EL) WNr3134 France 1940 00
Profile 00: This Ju-88A-1 of 3./KG51 Edelwiss coded 9K+EL carried the usual standard Luftwaffe camouflage with the letter E painted in yellow. The Werknummer 3134 was painted in white above the fins Hakenkreuz.

Ju-88A KG51.3 (9K+EL) WNr3134 France 1940 01
Photo 01: As can be seen in this photograph the Ju-88A-1 could be distinguished from latter models by its much stubbier wings which spanned 18.37m (60ft 3ins) as against 20.08m (65ft 10ins) of most latter production models. This particular Ju-88A-1 of 3./KG51 Edelwiss coded 9K+EL carried the usual standard Luftwaffe camouflage with the letter E painted in yellow. The Werknummer 3134 was painted in white above the fins Hakenkreuz.

KG51 Emblem 01

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Kampfgeschwader 51 "Edelweiss"

Geschwaderkommodoren:
Oberst Dr. Johann-Volkmar Fisser, 1.5.39 - 26.3.40
Oberst Josef Kammhuber, 26.3.40 - 3.6.40
Oberst Dr. Johann-Volkmar Fisser, 3.6.40 - 12.8.40
Maj Hans Bruno Schulz-Heyn, 12.8.40 - 31.8.41
Oberst Paul Koester, 1.9.41 - 4.7.42
Maj Wilhelm von Friedeburg, 4.7.42 - 30.11.42
Oberst Heinrich Conrady, 1.12.42 - 8.1.43
Maj Egbert von Frankenberg und Proschlitz, 8.1.43 - 9.5.43
Maj Hanns Heise, 9.5.43 - 25.2.44
Obstlt Wolf Dietrich Meister, 25.2.44 - 4.12.44
Maj Wolfgang Schenck, 5.12.44 - 31.1.45
Obstlt Rudolf Hallensleben, 1.2.45 - 19.4.45
Obstlt Siegfried Barth, 19.4.45 - 28.4.45
Stab:
Formed 1.5.39 in Landsberg/Lech from Stab/KG255. A Stabs-Staffel existed 1939 - 4.45.
Ordered disbanded 24.4.45.
Bases:

I. Gruppe:

Gruppenkommandeure:
Olt Hans Korte, 1.5.39 - 18.12.39
Maj Hans Bruno Schulz-Heyn, 19.12.39 - 12.8.40
Hptm Kurt von Greiff, 12.8.40 - 14.2.41
Hptm Heinrich Hahn, 14.2.41 - 3.2.42
Maj Hans-Joachim Ritter, 3.2.42 - 6.10.42
Maj Fritz-Herbert Dierich, 6.10.42 - 5.2.43
Maj Klaus Häberlen, 5.2.43 - 11.10.43
Maj Wolf Dietrich Meister, 11.10.43 - 25.2.44
Maj Hans Unrau, 25.2.44 - 8.5.45
Formed 1.5.39 in Landsberg/Lech from I./KG255 with:
Stab I./KG51 from Stab I./KG255
1./KG51 from 1./KG255
2./KG51 from 2./KG255
3./KG51 from 3./KG255
Bases:

6.5.45 - 8.5.45 Saaz**** Luftflotte Reich Me 262A
* converted to He 111, 15.8 - 30.8.39; converted to Ju 88A, 9.4.40 - 10.5.40
** 1./KG51 at St. André and 2./KG51 at Dreux. 1./KG51 moved to Evreux on 29.2.44.
*** 3./KG51 to Chateaudun as Kommando Schenk with 9 Me 262A. The rest of KG51 was apparently based at
Schwäbisch-Hall until 5.9.44.
**** apparently only 2./KG51 existed at this time

II. Gruppe:

Gruppenkommandeure:
Maj Winkler, 15.4.40 - 31.3.41
Hptm Max Stadelmeier, 31.1.41 - 22.6.41
Maj Wilhelm von Friedeburg, 22.6.41 - 1.4.42
Maj Friedrich Wilhelm Kaufner, 1.4.42 - 21.5.42
Hptm Rudolf Henne, 21.5.42 - 26.2.43
Maj Herbert Voss, 26.2.43 - 31.12.44
Maj Martin Vetter, 1.1.45 - 6.2.45
Hptm Hans-Joachim Grundmann, 21.3.45 - 8.5.45
Formed 1.4.40 in München-Riem with:
Stab II./KG51 new
4./KG51 new
5./KG51 new
6./KG51 new
In 1.44 renamed III./KG3:
Stab II./KG51 became Stab III./KG3
4./KG51 became 7./KG3
5./KG51 became 8./KG3
6./KG51 became 9./KG3
Reformed 2.44 in Lublin from V./KG2 with:
Stab II./KG51 from Stab V./KG2
4./KG51 from 14./KG2
5./KG51 from 15./KG2
6./KG51 from 16./KG2
Ordered disbanded 24.4.45.
Bases:

* 6./KG51 was based at Hesepe, 20.12.44 - 10.1.45.

III. Gruppe:

Gruppenkommandeure:
Oberst Alois Stoeckl, 1.5.39 - 7.3.40
Maj Johann.Wilhelm Kind, 7.3.40 - 24.6.40
Maj Walter Marienfeld, 24.6.40 - 23.11.41
Maj Ernst Freiherr von Bibra, 23.11.41 - 15.2.43
Hptm Wilhelm Rath, 15.2.43 - 31.12.43
Maj Kurt Dahlmann, 20.10.44 - 31.10.44
Formed 1.5.39 in Memmingen from III./KG255 with:
Stab III./KG51 from Stab III./KG255
7./KG51 from 7./KG255
8./KG51 from 8./KG255
9./KG51 from 9./KG255
7. (Eis.)/KG51 converted to Ju 88C-6 fighters in Krosno 7.6 - 19.7.43.
III./KG51 was disbanded 31.12.43. I./SKG10 operated under Stab/KG51, as III./KG51
from 30.6.44, but was not renamed III./KG51 until 20.10.44:
Stab III./KG51 from Stab I./SKG10
7./KG51 from 1./SKG10
8./KG51 from 2./SKG10
9./KG51 from 3./SKG10
On 31.10.44 redesignated NSGr. 20:
Stab III./KG51 became Stab/NSGr.20
7./KG51 became 1./NSGr.20
8./KG51 became 2./NSGr.20
9./KG51 became 3./NSGr.20
Bases:

* converted to He 111, 15.8 - 30.8.39; converted to Ju 88A in 6.40.

IV. Gruppe:

Gruppenkommandeure:
Hptm Hans-Joachim Ritter, 30.7.40 - 24.2.42
Hptm Wilhelm Stemmler, 25.2.42 - 13.12.42
Hptm Josef Schölss, 13.12.42 - 31.1.44
Maj Siegfried Barth, 1.2.44 - 28.12.44
Formed 30.7.40 in Schwäbisch-Hall as Erg.Sta/KG51. On 22.3.41 increased to Gruppe
strength with:
Stab IV./KG51 new
10./KG51 from Erg.Sta./KG51
11./KG51 new
12./KG51 new
On 24.2.44 12./KG51 became 4./NJG7, and was reformed from 13./KG2.
On 28.12.44 IV./KG51 became IV./EKG1:
Stab IV./KG51 became Stab IV./EKG1
10./KG51 became 13./EKG1
11./KG51 became 14./EKG1
12./KG51 became 15./EKG1
Bases:

* 10./KG51 at Erding, 2.4.44 - 12.44; 11./KG51 at Wiener-Neustadt, 23.4.41 - 24.12.41; 12./KG51 at
Greifswald, 22.3.41 - 2.6.41 and Hildesheim, 24.2.44 - 12.44
Flughafenbetriebskompanien der KG51
Flugzeugbestand und Bewegungsmeldungen, Stab/KG51
Flugzeugbestand und Bewegungsmeldungen, I./KG51
Flugzeugbestand und Bewegungsmeldungen, II./KG51
Flugzeugbestand und Bewegungsmeldungen, III./KG51
Flugzeugbestand und Bewegungsmeldungen, IV./KG51
Web Reference: http://www.ww2.dk/air/kampf/kg51.htm

Phoney War

Throughout the Phoney War, the two active Gruppen, I./KG 51 and II./KG51, remained on standby in western Germany. I./KG 51 was based at Memmingen. The Stab./KG 51 remained at Landsberg am Lech, but sttod ready to move in case of an Allied attack. During this period II./KG 51 was formed between 1 December 1939 and 15 April 1940. This Gruppen was equipped with the Ju 88. III./KG 51 was also formed during this time. Formation began on 1 September 1939 and was completed in May 1940, although the unit flew missions over Marseille and bordeaux on 17 November 1939, without suffering any losses. It is recorded between this time it was equipped with He 111Hs, and had 36 on strength, with 33 serviceable when it entered operations over France.

Battle of France and the Low Countries

At the start of the Battle of France the Strength of Stab./KG 51 with nine He 111s, all were serviceable. However this was soon reduced to a Stabskette. On the day of the western offensive the unit had just a single He 111 and Ju 88. The strength of I./K 51 on the 10 May 1940 stood at 36 He 111s of which 34 were serviceable. II./KG had 38 Ju 88s on hand, of which just 15 were serviceable. The third Gruppen, III.KG 51, was equipped with 39 He 111s, of which 29 were air worthy on 10 May.

I./KG 51 was heavily engaged and supporting the breakthrough at Sedan. It reported losses on 18, 24 of May and 9 June. The groups first Ju 88 loss occurred on 5 June. After the French surrender, the unit relocated to Paris. II.KG 51 supported German forces during the Battle of Dunkirk and flew missions along the Franco-Swiss border. It relocated to Étampes-Mondésir, south west of Paris on 20 June 1940. III./KG 51 also engaged in combat during the campaign. Elements of this unit accidentally bombed Freiburg, killing 57 people and injuring 101, including 22 children. The pilot, Leutnant Paul Seidel was distraught over the error, until he was shot down and killed over Portsmouth on 12 August 1940. This Gruppe contained some Ju 88s, but all operations were flown with the He 111H.

Battle of Britain

KG 51 was heavily involved in the Battle of Britain. I./KG 51 recorded its first (a Ju 88) loss on the battle on 1 July 1940, near Dunbar, Scotland. I./KG engaged British shipping in the English Channel throughout July. The unit reported attacks on Royal Navy destroyers of St. Catherine's head on 12 July and attacks over Bristol on 17th. Another loss was reported near Land's End on 27 July. The attrition rate steadily grew. On 13 August 1940, the unit had 30 Ju 88s, of which 21 were operational. By 19 August it had 33 Ju 88s in service, but could only muster 13 for operations. The unit continued to operate over Britain until March 1941. During the first four months, (1 July - 31 October 1940), the Gruppe lost 13 Ju 88s and 21 damaged. During the Blitz the unit participated in attacks on Portsmouth, London, Coventry, Manchester and Liverpool.

On 31 March 1941 the Gruppe withdrew to Austria for a refit. II./KG also suffered considerable losses. On 13 August 1940 the Gruppe had 34 machines of which 24 were serviceable. By 7 September, while the total strength remained 34 Ju 88s, just 17 were combat-ready. The Gruppe recorded 13 complete losses and 12 damaged between 1 July and 31 October 1940. It later participated in the same attacks as I./KG 51. III./KG 51 was assigned the same tasks as its sister units. On 13 August it had 32 Ju 88s and 25 serviceable. By 7 September, that number had grown to 27 out of 34 combat-ready. Attacks over Britain between 1 July and 31 October cost it 12 aircraft destroyed with 19 damaged. On 5 April 1941 in relocated to Wiener Neustadt in Austria. It was placed under Luftflotte 4 for the coming Balkans Campaign. During the campaign IV.(Erg)/KG 51 was formed in either later July or early August. Located at Lechfeld, the Gruppe was expanded into a IV. Gruppe on 22 March 1941.

Balkans Campaign

Stab./KG 51 saw action during the Balkans Campaign. The took part in the Bombing of Belgrade and attacked retreating Allied forces through Greece. It handed over its remaining aircraft to Lehrgeschwader 1. I./KG 51 also took part, bombing Belgrade and Athens (on 15 April). It had a strength of 29 Ju 88s and 17 serviceable. It took part in missions against Allied shipping, in and around Crete. It handed over its aircraft to I./LG 1 on 13 May and went to Austria to refit. II./KG 51 had a total of 28 and 18 serviceable Ju 88s on hand. It reported a single loss over vic Banja Luka on 12 April. The unit relocated to Poland on 20 June 1941.

Eastern Front

The Geschwader lost 15 aircraft, and its strength was down to on-third by 30 June. In September 1941 it flew 810 sorties in southern Russia and was credited with 27 aircraft shot down, 290 vehicles, 22 tanks, one train and 5 Soviet ships. In return it lost just two aircraft. Between 1 November-30 November 1941 the unit relocated to Nikolayev, Ukraine. In a month it flew 412 sorties, and was credited with a further 10 aircraft, 8 trains, 315 vehicles, one heavy cruiser (the Voroshilov on 2 November, the ship was heavily damaged and put out of action for several months) and 2 freighters destroyed for the loss of three aircraft. In February 1942 the Geschwader destroyed one train, some 100 vehicles in 335 sorties for three losses.

The Geschwader continued to fight on the Eastern Front throughout 1942-44. It supported the Heer during the Battle of Sevastopol, Battle of Stalingrad and the Battle of Kursk. During the siege of the German Sixth Army at Stalingrad, on 30 January 1943, the Kampfgeschwader 51 destroyed the Soviet 51st Army's Headquarters, near Salsk. Dropping 100 - 250 kg bombs, a wave of Junkers Ju 88s and Heinkel He 111s destroyed the communications centre, working offices of the chief-of-staff, the operational headquarters and the offices of the operational duty officer. Up to 20 buildings and personnel billets were also destroyed. Casualties among personnel were also very high.

On 31 December 1943 the Gruppe, after being initially being ordered to convert to Me 410s, was disbanded. III./KG 51 was reformed on 20 October 1944. Only to be reformed, as I.SKG 10, equipped with Fw 190s, a month later. II./KG 51 was also disbanded, in January 1944, but was reformed in February 1944. The unit was also equipped with Me 262s, and saw action as a bomber intercept and fighter-bomber unit until it was disbanded on 24 April 1945, and its personnel sent to infantry units.

Defense of the Reich and Western Front

The unit took part in the latter part of the Western Front campaign and the Defense of the Reich battles. On 8 May 1943, I./KG 51 was sent to Germany for conversion to the Messerschmitt Me 410. By 25 December 1943, the unit had 36 crews, with 40 (24 serviceable) Me 410s. During this time it also participated in bombing raids against England until 23 May 1944. The Gruppe was decimated in the raids. Elements of the Geschwader converted to the Messerschmitt Me 262 and flew fight-bomber and bomber intercept missions against Allied bomber streams from June 1944 to May 1945. I./KG 51 participated in attacks on Allied airfields to support German forces during the Battle of the Bulge. The Gruppe did not have more than 38 Me 262s at any one time.

Web Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kampfgeschwader_51

The Junkers Ju-88