Organisation Research Organization Structure of Attack Aircraft of the Luftwaffe

The difference and why I'm using this as our fleet structure will become apparent when you look at the Group, Squadron, and Geschwader sections. Basically you have 4 extra aircraft leading (by example in my view) the pilots with them.

See the Markings page for each type as well. Basically you get Leaders of each and every group and includes extra "reserves/training" pilots slots. Literally in IIS you will learn from example, fly by example, and eventually lead by the same motto. Think of it as Science by Example :p

More over, you will also get to see how each is ranked by the pilot rank, as well as a code for each group and breakdown of the hierarchy.

The organizational structure of attack aircraft of the Luftwaffe 1939-45

Everything described below applies only to units and formations of attack aircraft of the Luftwaffe during the period 1939-45. The organizational structure of other types of aviation has some differences.

The term "ground attack aircraft" did not exist in the Luftwaffe as aircraft specifically designed for aircraft of attack similar to the Soviet IL-2 (not counting set up in a 42-year aircraft Hs 129). The term we use for the Russian chitatatelya as a collective for the German air units and units designed for close support of ground forces on the battlefield and near the leading edge.

The main German attack aviation aircraft for much of the war was a single-engined two dive bomber Ju 87 different modifications, which began in May 1943 with gradually replaced by a single-engine single-seat aircraft FW 190 in his bomber modifications and from January 1943 Single twin-engine aircraft Hs 129. Also as aircraft attack aircraft used aircraft Bf 110 (high-speed bombers). In addition there were parts of attack aircraft (the so-called "anxious Squadron"), which were armed with Hs 123 biplanes and various educational, sports, trainer aircraft FW 44, FW 58, Ar 66, He 45, He 46C, He 72, Bu 181, Go 145, Fi 165. There was also a squadron. equipped with captured Soviet Po-2 and VT-2.

Organizational structure of units and formations of the Luftwaffe attack aircraft was as follows:

Crew

Crew (Mannschaft). Consist of one or two people - the pilot (der Pilot) and gunner-radio operator (der Zeiger - Funker). On single aircraft crew consisted of one pilot. Native category Pilot - unterofitsir (Unteroffizier) - shtabsfeldfebel (Stabsfeldwebel). Native category gunner-radio operator also unterofitsir (Unteroffizier) - shtabsfeldfebel (Stabsfeldwebel). Pilots who are both part of the unit commander or had the title for a post. Rank gunner-radio operator in all cases was to be below the rank of Pilot at least one notch (except in the case. Pilot when the rank unterofitsira). Usually gunner in feldfebelskih titles was on the aircraft, manned by officers. Met the pilots and officers' ranks, but not higher than leytnant (Leutnant). Usually in this position they were at the end of flight schools briefly until the flight experience and warfare.

Kette

Link (Ketten) consists of three aircraft. One of the pilots is commander (Kettenfuehrer). His native category leytnant (Leutnant), but often met commanders links in the ranks of unterofitsira to shtabsfeldfebelya.

Rotte

Planes FW 190 united not in units and in pairs (Rotte). Command couples (Rottenfuechrer). Native same category.

Squadron

Squadron (Staffel). Four executives or six pairs together in Squadron. One of the commanders at the same time link is the squadron commander (Staffelkapitaen (Staffelfuehrer)). Native category - oberleytnant (Oberleutnant) - Hauptmann (Hauptmann).

Standard in the squadron of 12 aircraft, but could be brought to the number of aircraft 15. In the case of losses, when the number of aircraft in the squadron 5 or less squadron disbands and freed planes arrived on resupply other squadrons.

Group

Group (Gruppe). Three squadrons together in one group. Besides the three squadrons in the group there are 4 more aircraft components tabletop unit (Stabsscwarn). This aircraft commander of the group (Gruppenkommandeur) and three officers constituting the group headquarters (Gruppenstab). At the headquarters of the group included Chief of Staff, Adjutant groups and operations officer. Native category group commander Hauptmann (Hauptmann)-Major (Major).

The Group may be a division within the squadron, or be part of an independent military. Just a group of 40 aircraft. Exceptions - 20th night support group directly (NSGr.20), 4th Anti-group 9 Squadron direct support (IV. (Pz) / SG9), Group 4 10 Squadron speed bombers (IV. / SKG10) had not three but five squadron (64 aircraft).

Squadron

Squadron (Geschwader) correspond approximately to our Regiment. The squadron consists of three groups (SKG10 squadron consisted of four groups) and staff link. Tabletop unit five aircraft on four pilots. Squadron commander had just two aircraft. His native category Major (Major) - oberstleytnant (Oberstleutnant) - Oberst (Oberst). The composition of staff link except it includes the chief of staff, squadron adjutant and operations officer. In addition, the squadron usually included separate combat training squadron (Ergaenzugsstaffel) and may also include one or two separate fighter squadrons of tanks. In squadron 147 -171 aircraft.

The squadron was the largest formation of attack aircraft. In some cases, the composition of the fleet could be allocated from one squadron to two groups that are temporarily quickly (only quickly!) Could reassigned other Air Division, Air Corps, or Navy.

Higher formation Luftwaffe were always mixed, ie they comprised the assault, fighter, bomber air force units and parts.

Air Division

Air Division (Fliegerdivision) Determination of the structure does not have and now it is the collective name for aviation units and aviation units selected for different purposes (fighter, bomber, shturomovye, transport, sanitation, connected) flying combat missions in a specific area of operations. The division commander with the rank of Major General (General-major) and his staff were engaged mainly operational guidance forces aviation agreement interaction aviation parts for various purposes with each other and with the ground troops. Squadron maintained its organizational, economic and strategic independence.

Air Corp

Air Corps (Fliegerkorps) Same Air Division, but incorporates more squadrons than division and its area of action more. Command of the Air - General leytnant (General-leutnant).

Operational HQ

Aviakomandovanie (Luftwaffenkommando) operational headquarters, governing the actions of all military operations in the area of aviation ground army group (the equivalent of our front). Staff is headed by the commander of the rank-General der Flieger (General der Flieger) This is about how we have the Air Force commander front.

Air Fleet

Air fleet (Luftlotte) Highest organizational unit of the Luftwaffe. At the head of the Navy General worth Oberst (General-oberst) - General Field Marshal der Flieger (Generalfeldmarschall der Flieger). Is a headquarters, managing air operations at some theater.

Originally Luftwaffe numbered 4 fleet with the staffs: 1st Fleet Berlin 2 - Navy Braunschweig, 3rd Fleet Munich, 4th Fleet Vienna.

The outbreak of war was formed 5th fleet in the 43rd year another fleet in the 44th year two.

During the war, the Navy operated:

• 1st air fleet - the northern flank of the Eastern Front;
• 2nd air fleet - the center of the Eastern Front, and a 42-year Mediterranean Sea;
• 3rd air fleet - Germany and France;
• 4th-the fleet of the southern flank of the Eastern Front;
• 5th air fleet - Norway and Finland;
• 6th air fleet - the center of the Eastern Front from 1943.;
• 10th air fleet - united all training squadron Luftwaffe 44th;
• The fleet of "Das Reich" - Germany (formed in '44).

Squadron of attack aircraft were divided into the following types:

• Schlachtgechwader (SG) - squadron direct support of troops.
• Stuerzgechwader (StG) - squadron of dive bombers.
• Shnellerkampfgechwader (SKG) - speed bomber squadron.
• Lehrgechwader (LG) - training squadron.

In Lyufvaffe assault squadron had the following (the number after the acronym stands for the number of the squadron) SG9, SG10, SG151; SG152; StG1, StG2, Stg3, StG5, StG51, StG76, StG77; SKG10, SKG 210; LG2 /

Groups attack aircraft on the Rights of the individual parts:

• Stoerkampfgruppe - disturbing group;
• Nachtschlachtgruppe (NSGr) - Night direct support group ..

In the Luftwaffe had the following night and anxious group: NSGr1, NSGr2, NSGr3, NSGr4, NSGr5, NSGr6, NSGr7, NSGr8, NSGr9, NSGr10, NSGr11, NSGr12, NSGr?

In Luftwaffe like Red Army Air Force were adopted in correspondence, writing on the abbreviated (abbreviated) notation avichastey and divisions. Squadron designated by an alphanumeric designation. Two or three letters refer to the type of the squadron, and the numbers behind the letters of her room.

For example, StG3 - 3rd squadron of dive bombers. And designated as separate groups. For example, NSGr5 - 5th group of night direct support of troops.

Units that make up this part of the designated alpha - numeric code, standing in front of the notation and separated from her oblique slash.

For example, Stab/StG1 - tabletop unit 1st Squadron direct support of troops.

Group is a division of the squadron Roman numerals, and the usual squadron numbers.

For example, III./SKG10 - the third group of 10 Squadron speed bombers. 2./StG51 - second squadron 51th squadron of dive bombers. If necessary, the brackets can be given explanations. For example, 4. (Sch) / LG2 - fourth (direct support) Squadron 2nd training squadron.

Literature

1. . M.V.Zefirov. Ground attack aircraft of the Luftwaffe. AST. Moscow. 2001.
2. . P.Lipatov. Luftwaffe. Uniforms, insignia, equipment and weapons of the Air Force in Germany 1935-1945. Reiter. Moscow. 1996.
3. . S.Voropaev. Encyclopedia of the Third Reich. Lokid Myth. Moscow. 1996.
4. . I.Andreev. Combat aircraft. A / O "Book and business." LLC "Prostreks. A / O" Krom ". Moscow. 1992.
5. . Journal "Military zarubezhnik" № № 3, 1964., № № 8-9 1968.
6. . Magazine "Foreign Military Review" № 6 1976., № 2, 1978.
7. . Brian Leigh Davis. German uniform of the Third Reich 1933-1945. London 1999

Breakdown

• link title
• A
  • A
• A

Notes

• High Command of the Luftwaffe by Mike Holm
  • Of military history, science, practice.
• A