Soviet Reserves Summer 1942
Re: Soviet Reserves Summer 1942
Thanks everyone for the information
Re: Soviet Reserves Summer 1942
One more question about reserves: what was the VVS aircraft reserve? I got a copy of "The Secret of Stalingrad" and there is talk of releasing some air regiments, but how many were in reserve for could have been deployed? Also what was the PVO strength around Moscow that potentially could have been sent south to Stalingrad?
Re: Soviet Reserves Summer 1942
Greetings,
I'm glad you picked up The Secret of Stalingrad...it should have been inexpensive.
I can only give you a partial answer.
Early in 1942 the VVS was reorganized into separate Air Armies, each holding between 900-1,000 aircraft. The 1,2,3,4, and 8 Air Armies were raised by May 42. The 5, 6 by June, with the 14, 15 by July and the 16 in August. By November the 7,13, and 17 were also raised.
In July 42, one fighter air regiment was sent from Moscow to Stalingrad. Then Stavka also sent 10-fighter air regiments, 9 ground attack regiments, and 3 bomber regiments to Stalingrad. These aircraft came from an unknown location. They all went to the 8th Air Army at Stalingrad. This info is from the book Red Phoenix Rising by Von Hardesty and Ilya Crinberg, p 112-118.
Hope this helps....and maybe someone else can fill in the details.
Dann
I'm glad you picked up The Secret of Stalingrad...it should have been inexpensive.
I can only give you a partial answer.
Early in 1942 the VVS was reorganized into separate Air Armies, each holding between 900-1,000 aircraft. The 1,2,3,4, and 8 Air Armies were raised by May 42. The 5, 6 by June, with the 14, 15 by July and the 16 in August. By November the 7,13, and 17 were also raised.
In July 42, one fighter air regiment was sent from Moscow to Stalingrad. Then Stavka also sent 10-fighter air regiments, 9 ground attack regiments, and 3 bomber regiments to Stalingrad. These aircraft came from an unknown location. They all went to the 8th Air Army at Stalingrad. This info is from the book Red Phoenix Rising by Von Hardesty and Ilya Crinberg, p 112-118.
Hope this helps....and maybe someone else can fill in the details.
Dann