Greetings all,
I have an OOB chart from 22 July 1943 for the 7th Guards Army. The column top says something like "Army Parts" and at the bottom of the column are two aircraft symbols one for 578 OZ and the other 50 OKZ. I think these two are some type of squadrons but I have not been able to find what the OZ and OKZ represent.
Any ideas?
Thanks Dann
Russian 1943 Aircraft Squadron Type?
Re: Russian 1943 Aircraft Squadron Type?
It's 578 аэ (авиационная эскадрилья) AE = air squadron, or 578 oэ (отдельная эскадрилья) OE = independent squadron.
Anyway, full correct name was: 578-я отдельная армейская авиационная эскадрилья связи. It was an army independent communications air squadron, equipped with 12 PO-2 planes, attached to 7th Guards Army.
Here it is at the bottom of the table:
https://pamyat-naroda.ru/documents/view/?id=153720879, page 69
The other one, if it is ОКЭ (OKE), it could be 50-я отдельная корректировочная авиационная эскадрилья, independent spotting air squadron.
But I couldn't find any proof that this unit was ever attached to 7th Guards Army.
Anyway, full correct name was: 578-я отдельная армейская авиационная эскадрилья связи. It was an army independent communications air squadron, equipped with 12 PO-2 planes, attached to 7th Guards Army.
Here it is at the bottom of the table:
https://pamyat-naroda.ru/documents/view/?id=153720879, page 69
The other one, if it is ОКЭ (OKE), it could be 50-я отдельная корректировочная авиационная эскадрилья, independent spotting air squadron.
But I couldn't find any proof that this unit was ever attached to 7th Guards Army.
Re: Russian 1943 Aircraft Squadron Type?
Thanks Greg,
I think you are correct. This is in line with my thinking. Two squadrons, one was used as an artillery spotter and the other for reconnaissance or transportation duties. Most likely both flew PO-2/U-2 biplanes.
The artillery spotter squadron would be useful for the Operation Rumianysev offensive, which was coming in early August.
Great job,
Dann
I think you are correct. This is in line with my thinking. Two squadrons, one was used as an artillery spotter and the other for reconnaissance or transportation duties. Most likely both flew PO-2/U-2 biplanes.
The artillery spotter squadron would be useful for the Operation Rumianysev offensive, which was coming in early August.
Great job,
Dann