The official AHF Luftwaffe quiz thread

[sveahk]

Ok - let's resolve this:

"The live bomb" was the so-called PersonenAbwurfGerät, the PAG, which was used to carry up to three very courageous agents while slung from the underwing bomb racks of KG 200's Ju 188s. Being strapped in helpless and more or less blind within the container while it was dropped, relying on four parachutes to deploy and then the shock absorbing base to absorb impact, all while landing in enemy territory...!
During 1944, these devices were manufactured at a rate of 200 per month. Most, it is certain, were used on the Eastern Front where crews of KG 200 flew sorties to drop 297 agents.

The questioning is floating free, anybody's pick...!
Hans K

[Myron]

In February 1943 a special unit was established with a number of experienced flyers under the command of Oberstleutnant Otto Weiss. What was the purpose of this unit?

[sveahk]

You are probably thinking of the "Panzerjägerkommando Weiss" or, as it was also called, "Versuchsverband für Panzerbekämpfung". In February 1943 this Kommando got some Junkers Ju 87 D-3 fitted with one or two Bordkanone BK 3,7 cm under the wings, hence now called Ju 87 G-1, see photo from Waffen-Arsenal, Band 151.

A later version of this Stuka was succesfully put into action against the Russian Panzer during the Kursk-offensive.

Hans-Ulrich Rudel was probably the most skilled user of this flying weapon, although, over the years, his high "Panzer-kill" score has been somewhat challenged...

Hans K

[Myron]

You are correct. To Switzerland for next question...

[sveahk]

"Aufklärungsgruppe 156". Not an all too well-known Luftwaffe unit - but at one point during the war, they had their moment! What did they do, and when was that...?

Hans K

[sveahk]

The Infanterieregiment "Grossdeutschland", or at least part of it, was very much involved here...

Hans K

[varjag]

The Infanterieregiment "Grossdeutschland", or at least part of it, was very much involved here...

Hans K

Never heard of this :roll: ...but the '156' sounded very 'Storkisch' - could this be what you are looking for?

10 May 1940... While the bulk of the Grossdeutschland Regiment drove towards the Luxembourg frontier. Elements of the 3rd Battalion under Oberstleutnant Barski took off from airfields near the German-Belgium border in 100 three-seat Fieseler Storch. This force was earmarked for the air landing operation codenamed "NIWI". The 400-men of the Garski Battalion were to be flown 15 km

100 Storks? Never thought they had that many in one place and time , Varjag

[sveahk]

Very good varjag, you're right on the money!

"Aufklärungsgruppe 156" under the command of Oberleutnant Hansdietrich Klette had not only 100, but 130 Fi 156 "Storch" on the 10th of May, 1940.From the small grass airfield Bitburg (just east of Luxembourg) soldiers from "Grossdeutschland" were transported that day with the Storks to targets in the French-Belgian border area.

A not very well-known fact, but you cracked it! Congratulations!

So, give it to us, varjag.

Hans K

[varjag]

Thank you sveahk, it was the tip about Grossdeutschland - that 'tipped' the scales

In June 1942, a Fi 156 'Storch', went missing on the Russian front. German forward observers, reported a 'Storch' that seemed to have landed very near (or beyond) the Russian lines......several hours earlier.

There was one hell of a 'flap'!

A strong reconnaissance party was despatched the following morning. And found the aircraft, lightly damaged - and beside it, two fresh graves.
Who was the pilot, who was the passenger - and why the 'flap' about this particular aircraft?, Varjag

[uhu]

Varjag,

Panzer division general, with maps in the storch prior to what operation?

SS General Theodor Eicke, February 1943, doing a recon prior to the Third Battle of Kharkov?

Dates don't match though.

[varjag]

Varjag,

Panzer division general, with maps in the storch prior to what operation?

SS General Theodor Eicke, February 1943, doing a recon prior to the Third Battle of Kharkov?

Dates don't match though.

Sorry uhu, but not what I had in mind. There were however some operational plans involved , Varjag

[Myron]

I believe this could be the Fi 156 that went missing on 19 June 1942. Pilot was Leutnant Dechant. Passenger was Major Reichel, chief of operations, 23. Panzer-Division. Reichel had brought his mapboard on the plane - including objectives of the first phase of the German Summer offensive (Fall Blau).

The day after soldiers from 336. Infanterie-Division found two fresh graves near the plane but no mapboard.

...?

[varjag]

I believe this could be the Fi 156 that went missing on 19 June 1942. Pilot was Leutnant Dechant. Passenger was Major Reichel, chief of operations, 23. Panzer-Division. Reichel had brought his mapboard on the plane - including objectives of the first phase of the German Summer offensive (Fall Blau).

The day after soldiers from 336. Infanterie-Division found two fresh graves near the plane but no mapboard.

...?

That's the one Myron! Major Reichel, as many others - broke against Hitlers 1939 order that NO operational plans were to be flown anywhere near a front or border......He served the Russkies a 'hot dinner on a plate' with the plans for opening moves in Fall Blau by the XVIIth Corps. But paid with his own - and his pilot's lives.....

Myrons question, Varjag

[Myron]

Thank you Varjag,

A method of Jabo attack (from 1942) was to approach the target at 450 kph and at an altitude of five metres, 1800 metres from the target the Jabo would climb to a maximum height of 500 metres before levelling off and diving at an angle of 3° and a speed of 550 kph then pulling up and lobbing the bomb at the target.

What was this process called?

[sveahk]

Steckrübenverfahren?

Hans K