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

Kampfgeschwader 51 'Edelweiss'

Geschwaderkommodoren:

  • Oberst Dr. Johann-Volkmar Fisser, 1 May 1939 - 26 Mar 1940
  • Oberst Josef Kammhuber, 26 Mar 1940 - 3 Jun 1940
  • Oberst Dr. Johann-Volkmar Fisser, 3 Jun 1940 - 12 Aug 1940
  • Maj Hans Bruno Schulz-Heyn, 12 Aug 1940 - 31 Aug 1941
  • Oberst Paul Koester, 1 Sep 1941 - 4 Jul 1942
  • Maj Wilhelm von Friedeburg, 4 Jul 1942 - 30 Nov 1942
  • Oberst Heinrich Conrady, 1 Dec 1942 - 8 Jan 1943
  • Maj Egbert von Frankenberg und Proschlitz, 8 Jan 1943 - 9 May 1943
  • Maj Hanns Heise, 9 May 1943 - 25 Feb 1944
  • Obstlt Wolf Dietrich Meister, 25 Feb 1944 - 4 Dec 1944
  • Maj Wolfgang Schenck, 5 Dec 1944 - 31 Jan 1945
  • Obstlt Rudolf Hallensleben, 1 Feb 1945 - 19 Apr 1945
  • Obstlt Siegfried Barth, 19 Apr 1945 - 28 Apr 1945

Stab:

Formed 1 May 1939 in Landsberg/Lech from A Stabs-Staffel existed 1939 - Apr 1945.

Ordered disbanded 24 Apr 1945.

Airfields and Air Base Locations
Date Location Gruppe Aircraft Used
1 May 1939 - 20 Jun 1940 Landsberg/Lech 5. Flieger-Division
V. Fliegerkorps, from 11 Oct 1939		 Do 17M, He 111H, Ju 88A
20 Jun 1940 - 30 Mar 1941 Paris-Orly V. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
30 Mar 1941 - 16 Apr 1941 Wiener-Neustadt Luftflotte 4 Ju 88A
16 Apr 1941 - 14 May 1941 Krumovo Luftflotte 4 Ju 88A
14 May 1941 - 4 Jun 1941 Wiener-Neustadt Luftflotte 4 Ju 88A
4 Jun 1941 - 15 Jul 1941 Krosno V. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
15 Jul 1941 - 17 Oct 1941 Zilistea/Balti IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
17 Oct 1941 - 3 Apr 1942 Nikolayev IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
3 Apr 1942 - 10 Jul 1942 Saporoshje IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
10 Jul 1942 - 12 Sep 1942 Stalino VIII. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
12 Sep 1942 - 8 Oct 1942 Bagerovo IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
8 Oct 1942 - 7 Dec 1942 Sarabus IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
7 Dec 1942 - 5 Feb 1943 Rostov IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
5 Feb 1943 - 27 Feb 1943 Saporoshje IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
27 Feb 1943 - 8 May 1943 Bagerovo I. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
8 May 1943 - 26 Jul 1943 Bryansk 1. Flieger-Division Ju 88A
26 Jul 1943 - 16 Aug 1943 Seschtschinskaja 1. Flieger-Division Ju 88A
16 Aug 1943 - 7 Sep 1943 Kirovograd IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
7 Sep 1943 - 6 Dec 1943 Illesheim Luftwaffenbefehlshaber Mitte Ju 88A, Me 410A
6 Dec 1943 - 15 Feb 1944 Evreux IX. Fliegerkorps Me 410A
15 Feb 1944 - 23 May 1944 St. Georges-Motel IX. Fliegerkorps Me 410A
23 May 1944 - Aug 1944 Lechfeld Luftflotte Reich Me 410A
Aug 1944 - Nov 1944 Landsberg/Lech Luftflotte Reich Me 262A
Nov 1944 - 20 Mar 1945 Rheine/Hörstel/Hopsten 3. Flieger-Division
II. Jagdkorps, Jan 1945		 Me 262A
20 Mar 1945 - 30 Mar 1945 Giebelstadt Luftflotte Reich Me 262A
30 Mar 1945 - 21 Apr 1945 Leipheim Luftflotte Reich Me 262A
21 Apr 1945 - 24 Apr 1945 Memmingen Luftflotte Reich Me 262A
24 Apr 1945 - 30 Apr 1945 Holzkirchen Luftflotte Reich Me 262A

I. Gruppe:

Gruppenkommandeure:

  • Olt Hans Korte, 1 May 1939 - 18 Dec 1939
  • Maj Hans Bruno Schulz-Heyn, 19 Dec 1939 - 12 Aug 1940
  • Hptm Kurt von Greiff, 12 Aug 1940 - 14 Feb 1941
  • Hptm Heinrich Hahn, 14 Feb 1941 - 3 Feb 1942
  • Maj Hans-Joachim Ritter, 3 Feb 1942 - 6 Oct 1942
  • Maj Fritz-Herbert Dierich, 6 Oct 1942 - 5 Feb 1943
  • Maj Klaus Hüberlen, 5 Feb 1943 - 11 Oct 1943
  • Maj Wolf Dietrich Meister, 11 Oct 1943 - 25 Feb 1944
  • Maj Hans Unrau, 25 Feb 1944 - 8 May 1945

Formed 1 May 1939 in Landsberg/Lech from with:

Stab I./KG51 from Stab I./KG255
1./KG51 from 1./KG255
2./KG51 from 2./KG255
3./KG51 from 3./KG255

Airfields and Air Base Locations
Date Location Gruppe Aircraft Used
1 May 1939 - 20 Aug 1939 Landsberg/Lech 5. Flieger-Division
V. Fliegerkorps, from 11 Oct 1939		 Do 17M, He 111H*
20 Aug 1939 - 6 May 1940 Memmingen V. Fliegerkorps He 111H, Ju 88A*
6 May 1940 - 20 Jun 1940 Lechfeld V. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
20 Jun 1940 - 1 Aug 1940 Paris-Orly V. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
1 Aug 1940 - 30 Mar 1941 Villaroche V. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
30 Mar 1941 - 16 Apr 1941 Wiener-Neustadt Luftflotte 4 Ju 88A
16 Apr 1941 - 14 May 1941 Krumovo Luftflotte 4 Ju 88A
14 May 1941 - 4 Jun 1941 Wiener-Neustadt Luftflotte 4 Ju 88A
4 Jun 1941 - 4 Jul 1941 Krosno V. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
4 Jul 1941 - 15 Jul 1941 Luck V. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
15 Jul 1941 - 10 Oct 1941 Zilistea IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
10 Oct 1941 - 24 Jan 1942 Tiraspol IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
24 Jan 1942 - 3 Apr 1942 Odessa IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
3 Apr 1942 - 30 May 1942 Saporoshje IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
30 May 1942 - 10 Jul 1942 Charkov-West VIII. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
10 Jul 1942 - 5 Aug 1942 Stalino VIII. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
5 Aug 1942 - 19 Aug 1942 Kertsch IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
19 Aug 1942 - 6 Oct 1942 Tazinskaja VIII. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
6 Oct 1942 - 3 Nov 1942 Sarabus IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
3 Nov 1942 - 7 Dec 1942 Tazinskaja VIII. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
7 Dec 1942 - 5 Feb 1943 Rostov IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
5 Feb 1943 - 2 Apr 1943 Saporoshje IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
2 Apr 1943 - 8 May 1943 Bagerovo I. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
8 May 1943 - 6 Aug 1943 Illesheim Luftwaffenbefehlshaber Mitte Ju 88A, Me 410A
6 Aug 1943 - 30 Aug 1943 Memmingen/Lechfeld Luftwaffenbefehlshaber Mitte Me 410A
30 Aug 1943 - 29 Sep 1943 Illesheim Luftwaffenbefehlshaber Mitte Me 410A
29 Sep 1943 - 6 Dec 1943 Horsching Luftwaffenbefehlshaber Mitte Me 410A
6 Dec 1943 - 25 Apr 1944 Evreux** IX. Fliegerkorps Me 410A
25 Apr 1944 - 23 May 1944 Dreux/St. André IX. Fliegerkorps Me 410A
23 May 1944 - 20 Jul 1944 Lechfeld/Leipheim IX. Fliegerkorps Me 410A, Me 262A
20 Jul 1944 - 12 Aug 1944 Chateaudun*** IX. Fliegerkorps Me 262A
12 Aug 1944 - 15 Aug 1944 Étampes IX. Fliegerkorps Me 262A
15 Aug 1944 - 27 Aug 1944 Creil IX. Fliegerkorps Me 262A
27 Aug 1944 - 28 Aug 1944 Corbeny Juvincourt IX. Fliegerkorps Me 262A
28 Aug 1944 - 30 Aug 1944 Ath-Chièvres IX. Fliegerkorps Me 262A
30 Aug 1944 - 5 Sep 1944 Volkel IX. Fliegerkorps Me 262A
5 Sep 1944 - 20 Mar 1945 Rheine/Hörstel/Hopsten 3. Flieger-Division
II. Jagdkorps, Jan 1945		 Me 262A
20 Mar 1945 - 30 Mar 1945 Giebelstadt Luftflotte Reich Me 262A
30 Mar 1945 - 21 Apr 1945 Leipheim Luftflotte Reich Me 262A
21 Apr 1945 - 24 Apr 1945 Memmingen Luftflotte Reich Me 262A
24 Apr 1945 - 30 Apr 1945 München-Riem Luftflotte Reich Me 262A
30 Apr 1945 - 6 May 1945 Prague-Rusin**** Luftflotte Reich Me 262A
6 May 1945 - 8 May 1945 Saaz**** Luftflotte Reich Me 262A

* converted to He 111, 15.8 - 30 Aug 1939; converted to Ju 88A, 9 Apr 1940 - 10 May 1940

** 1./KG51 at St. André and 2./KG51 at Dreux. 1./KG51 moved to Evreux on 29 Feb 1944.

*** 3./KG51 to Chateaudun as Kommando Schenk with 9 Me 262A. The rest of KG51 was apparently based at Schwabisch-Hall until 5 Sep 1944.

**** apparently only 2./KG51 existed at this time

II. Gruppe:

Gruppenkommandeure:

  • Maj Winkler, 15 Apr 1940 - 31 Mar 1941
  • Hptm Max Stadelmeier, 31 Jan 1941 - 22 Jun 1941
  • Maj Wilhelm von Friedeburg, 22 Jun 1941 - 1 Apr 1942
  • Maj Friedrich Wilhelm Kaufner, 1 Apr 1942 - 21 May 1942
  • Hptm Rudolf Henne, 21 May 1942 - 26 Feb 1943
  • Maj Herbert Voss, 26 Feb 1943 - 31 Dec 1944
  • Maj Martin Vetter, 1 Jan 1945 - 6 Feb 1945
  • Hptm Hans-Joachim Grundmann, 21 Mar 1945 - 8 May 1945

Formed 1 Apr 1940 in München-Riem with:

Stab II./KG51 new
4./KG51 new
5./KG51 new
6./KG51 new

In Jan 1944 renamed with :

Stab II./KG51 became Stab III./KG3
4./KG51 became 7./KG3
5./KG51 became 8./KG3
6./KG51 became 9./KG3

Reformed Feb 1944 in Lublin from 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 Apr 1945.

Airfields and Air Base Locations
Date Location Gruppe Aircraft Used
1 Apr 1940 - 14 Jun 1940 München-Riem V. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
14 Jun 1940 - 18 Jun 1940 Stuttgart-Echterdingen V. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
20 Jun 1940 - 24 Aug 1940 Étampes-Mondésir V. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
24 Aug 1940 - 12 Apr 1941 Paris-Orly V. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
12 Apr 1941 - 20 Jun 1941 Wiener-Neustadt Luftflotte 4 Ju 88A
20 Jun 1941 - 27 Jun 1941 Krosno V. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
27 Jun 1941 - 8 Sep 1941 Balti V. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
8 Sep 1941 - 4 Dec 1941 Wiener-Neustadt Luftflotte 4 Ju 88A
4 Dec 1941 - 12 Dec 1941 Nikolayev, Kitaj IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
12 Dec 1941 - 7 Sep 1942 Saporoshje IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
7 Sep 1942 - 20 Sep 1942 Stalino IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
20 Sep 1942 - 25 Oct 1942 Bagerovo IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
25 Oct 1942 - 6 Nov 1942 Armavir IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
6 Nov 1942 - 6 Feb 1943 Bagerovo IV. Fliegerkorps none
6 Feb 1943 - 8 May 1943 Saporoshje IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
8 May 1943 - 26 Jul 1943 Bryansk 1. Flieger-Division Ju 88A
26 Jul 1943 - 1 Aug 1943 Seschtschinskaja 1. Flieger-Division Ju 88A
1 Aug 1943 - 1 Sep 1943 Bobruisk 1. Flieger-Division Ju 88A
1 Sep 1943 - 18 Sep 1943 Kirovograd, Charkov, Shitomir IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
18 Sep 1943 - 28 Nov 1943 Saloniki X. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
28 Nov 1943 - 4 Jan 1944 Kalinovka VIII. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
4 Jan 1944 - 8 Jan 1944 Winniza VIII. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
8 Jan 1944 - Apr 1944 Lublin VIII. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
Apr 1944 - 15 Aug 1944 Gilze Rijen IX. Fliegerkorps Me 410A
15 Aug 1944 - 31 Dec 1944 Schwabisch-Hall* Luftflotte Reich Me 410A, Me 262A
31 Dec 1944 - 10 Jan 1945 Achmer*   Me 262A
10 Jan 1945 - 21 Mar 1945 Essen-Mülheim 14. Flieger-Division Me 262A
21 Mar 1945 - 30 Mar 1945 Schwabisch-Hall   Me 262A
30 Mar 1945 - Apr 1945 Furth Luftflotte Reich Me 262A
Apr 1945 - 24 Apr 1945 Linz/Horsching Luftflotte Reich Me 262A

* 6./KG51 was based at Hesepe, 20 Dec 1944 - 10 Jan 1945.

III. Gruppe:

Gruppenkommandeure:

  • Oberst Alois Stoeckl, 1 May 1939 - 7 Mar 1940
  • Maj Johann.Wilhelm Kind, 7 Mar 1940 - 24 Jun 1940
  • Maj Walter Marienfeld, 24 Jun 1940 - 23 Nov 1941
  • Maj Ernst Freiherr von Bibra, 23 Nov 1941 - 15 Feb 1943
  • Hptm Wilhelm Rath, 15 Feb 1943 - 31 Dec 1943
  • Maj Kurt Dahlmann, 20 Oct 1944 - 31 Oct 1944

Formed 1 May 1939 in Memmingen from 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 Jul 1943.

III./KG51 was disbanded 31 Dec 1943. operated under Stab/KG51, as III./KG51 from 30 Jun 1944, but was not renamed III./KG51 until 20 Oct 1944:

Stab III./KG51 from Stab I./SKG10
7./KG51 from 1./SKG10
8./KG51 from 2./SKG10
9./KG51 from 3./SKG10

On 31 Oct 1944 redesignated with :

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

Airfields and Air Base Locations
Date Location Gruppe Aircraft Used
1 May 1939 - 6 Nov 1939 Memmingen 5. Flieger-Division
V. Fliegerkorps, from 11 Oct 1939		 Do 17M, He 111H*
6 Nov 1939 - 20 Jun 1940 Landsberg V. Fliegerkorps He 111H, Ju 88A*
20 Jun 1940 - 3 Nov 1940 Étampes-Mondésir V. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
3 Nov 1940 - 30 Mar 1941 Brétigny V. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
30 Mar 1941 - 18 Jun 1941 Wiener-Neustadt Luftflotte 4 Ju 88A
18 Jun 1941 - 5 Jul 1941 Lezany V. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
5 Jul 1941 - 18 Jul 1941 Wlodzimierz V. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
18 Jul 1941 - 30 Aug 1941 Wiener-Neustadt Luftflotte 4 Ju 88A
30 Aug 1941 - 23 Oct 1941 Balti IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
23 Oct 1941 - 24 Mar 1942 Nikolayev IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
24 Mar 1942 - 15 May 1942 Odessa IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
15 May 1942 - 29 May 1942 Saporoshje IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
29 May 1942 - 10 Jul 1942 Charkov-West VIII. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
10 Jul 1942 - 5 Aug 1942 Stalino VIII. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
5 Aug 1942 - 20 Aug 1942 Kertsch IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
20 Aug 1942 - 28 Sep 1942 Tazinskaja VIII. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
28 Sep 1942 - 20 Dec 1942 Sarabus IV. Fliegerkorps none
20 Dec 1942 - 6 Feb 1943 Rostov IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
6 Feb 1943 - 27 Feb 1943 Saporoshje IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
27 Feb 1943 - 10 May 1943 Bagerovo Luftwaffenstab Krim Ju 88A
10 May 1943 - 21 Jul 1943 Bryansk 1. Flieger-Division Ju 88A
21 Jul 1943 - 9 Aug 1943 Seschtschinskaja 1. Flieger-Division Ju 88A
9 Aug 1943 - 31 Aug 1943 Kirovograd IV. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A
31 Aug 1943 - 31 Dec 1943** Illesheim Luftwaffenbefehlshaber Mitte Ju 88A

* converted to He 111, 15.8 - 30 Aug 1939; converted to Ju 88A in Jun 1940.

** For activities in 1944, see SKG10.

IV. Gruppe:

Gruppenkommandeure:

  • Hptm Hans-Joachim Ritter, 30 Jul 1940 - 24 Feb 1942
  • Hptm Wilhelm Stemmler, 25 Feb 1942 - 13 Dec 1942
  • Hptm Josef Schölss, 13 Dec 1942 - 31 Jan 1944
  • Maj Siegfried Barth, 1 Feb 1944 - 28 Dec 1944

Formed 30 Jul 1940 in Schwabisch-Hall as Erg.Sta/KG51. On 22 Mar 1941 increased to Gruppe strength with:

Stab IV./KG51 new
10./KG51 from Erg.Sta./KG51
11./KG51 new
12./KG51 new

On 24 Feb 1944 12./KG51 became and was reformed from

On 28 Dec 1944 IV./KG51 became with :

Stab IV./KG51 became Stab IV./EKG1
10./KG51 became 13./EKG1
11./KG51 became 14./EKG1
12./KG51 became 15./EKG1

Airfields and Air Base Locations
Date Location Gruppe Aircraft Used
30 Jul 1940 - Nov 1940 Schwabisch-Hall   Ju 88A
Nov 1940 - 9 Jan 1941 Paris-Orly   Ju 88A
10 Jan 1941 - 29 Aug 1941 Lechfeld* Luftflotte 3 Ju 88A
30 Aug 1941 - Sep 1941 Illesheim*   Ju 88A
Sep 1941 - 24 Dec 1941 Wiener-Neustadt* Luftwaffenbefehlshaber Mitte Ju 88A
24 Dec 1941 - 11 Aug 1943 Bobruisk Luftwaffenbefehlshaber Mitte
Luftwaffenkommando Ost, from Apr 1942
Luftflotte 6, from May 1943		 Ju 88A
11 Aug 1943 - 1 Apr 1944 Hildesheim Luftwaffenbefehlshaber Mitte
Luftflotte Reich, from Jan 1944		 Ju 88A, Me 410A
2 Apr 1944 - Dec 1944 München-Riem* Luftflotte Reich Ju 88A, Me 410A
Dec 1944 - 28 Dec 1944 Neuburg   Ju 88A, Me 410A

* 10./KG51 at Erding, 2 Apr 1944 - Dec 1944; 11./KG51 at Wiener-Neustadt, 23 Apr 1941 - 24 Dec 1941; 12./KG51 at Greifswald, 22 Mar 1941 - 2 Jun 1941 and Hildesheim, 24 Feb 1944 - Dec 1944

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