Kampfgeschwader 1
| Kampfgeschwader 1 | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1939–44 |
| Country | Germany |
| Allegiance |
.svg.png){kind=small} Nazi Germany |
| Branch | Luftwaffe |
| Type | Bomber Squadron |
| Role | Tactical and Direct Ground Support. |
| Size | Air Force Wing |
| Nickname(s) | Hindenburg |
| Engagements |
Operation Paula Dieppe Raid Battle of Dunkirk Battle of Britain The Blitz Siege of Leningrad Demyansk pocket Battle of the Caucasus Battle of Stalingrad Battle of Kursk Operation Bagration |
| Battle honours |
Polish Campaign Battle of the Netherlands Battle of Belgium Battle of France Battle of Britain The Blitz Eastern Front Allied invasion of Sicily |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Josef Kammhuber |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
Geschwaderkennung of V4 |
Kampfgeschwader 1 (KG 1) (Battle Wing 1) was a Luftwaffe bomber unit during the Second World War. It used Heinkel He 111 and later Heinkel He 177 bombers.
History
KG 1 was formed from Stab/KG 152 'Hindenburg' at Neubrandenburg on 1 May 1939. I./KG 1 was formed from IV./KG 152, II./KG 1 formed from I./KG 152 on 18 September 1939. III./KG 1 was formed from segments of I and III./KG 1 on 1 December 1939.[1]
War time service
Polish Campaign
The unit started out under Luftflotte 1, but moved to Luftflotte 4 on 8 September, before being reassigned to Luftflotte 1 on 20 September 1939. The unit's main targets included railways and troop concentrations. I./KG 1 took part in the Battle of Bzura.
Western Europe
I./KG supported the German Fourth Army in Belgium in May 1940. II./KG 1 supported the Fourth Army of Army Group B but also supported the race to the English Channel, attacking French targets threatening Army Group A. On 3 June 1940 II./KG 1 took part in Operation Paula as did III./KG 1.
Battle of Britain
I and II./KG 1 conducted operations over Britain. Both took part in Adlertag. III./KG 1 had little involvement and spent the campaign as a training unit.
North Africa and the Mediterranean
Italian Campaign
Commanding officers
The following commanded KG 1:[2]
- Major General Ulrich Otto Eduard Kessler, 1 May 1939 – 17 December 1939
- Oberst Ernst Exss 18 December 1939 – 12 July 1940
- Oberst Josef Kammhuber 12 July 1940 – 17 July 1940 (acting)
- Major General Karl Angerstein 18 July 1940 – 1 March 1942
- Major Herbert Loch 2 March 1942 – 30 June 1942
- Oberstleutnant Paul Schemmel 1 July 1942 – 14 August 1942 (killed in action 14 August 1942)
- Major Hans Keppler 15 August 1942 – 3 September 1942 (killed in action 3 September 1942)
- Major Heinrich Lau 4 September 1942 – 15 March 1943
- Obstlt Horst Von Riesen 17 March 1943 – 25 August 1944
References
Citations
Bibliography
- de Zeng, H.L; Stanket, D.G; Creek, E.J. Bomber Units of the Luftwaffe 1933-1945; A Reference Source, Volume 1. Ian Allan Publishing, 2007. ISBN 978-1-85780-279-5
External links
- "Kampfgeschwader 1 "Hindenburg"". Lexikon der Wehrmacht. Retrieved 23 February 2010.
- "Kampfgeschwader 1 "Hindenburg"". The Luftwaffe, 1933–45. Retrieved 23 February 2010.
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