Unit Information

[Edward]

I am looking for any information regarding the following Luftwaffe unit for the dates,
11.11.42 - 1.21.43. Any assistance most appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Kampfgruppe z.b.v. Frankfurt

[Jonathan M]

only information ive been able to gather is that it was a Transport unit according to ww2.dk. not found anything in the lexicon though

[peter u]

Is it in a sb or wp?
What where is previous units and perhaps units after this citation?
Logic explication: a small local-airfield transportation unit most probabily?

cheers,
Peter

[Larry deZeng]

I am looking for any information regarding the following Luftwaffe unit for the dates,
11.11.42 - 1.21.43. Any assistance most appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Kampfgruppe z.b.v. Frankfurt

The following will give you a good framework for the unit which, as you can see, only existed for about the same amount of time your man was in it:

KGr. z.b.V. Frankfurt
Kampfgruppe z.b.V. Frankfurt
(Unit Code: used factory codes)


Formation. (Nov 42)
Formed 8-12 November 1942, probably at Frankfurt/Oder, in response to the Allied landings in Morocco and Algeria (Operation “Torch”) and the immediate German decision to counter the invasion by shipping a large force to Tunisia. The Gruppe was provisional in nature (not to have an existence exceeding 6 months) and used Ju 52 transports taken from KGr.z.b.V. 9, 50, 172 and 700. The majority of the crews probably came from the same Gruppen. Organizationally, KGr.z.b.V. Frankfurt had a Gruppenstab and four Staffeln (1. – 4).

Italy and North Africa. (Nov 42 - Feb 43)
16 Nov 42: Ju 52 damaged taxiing at Fp. Foggia/Italy, 20%.
19 Nov 42: at Foggia but operating from Fp. Trapani/W Sicily - Ju 52 bombed on the ground at Tunis, 100%, 1 KIA and 2 WIA.
19 Nov 42: unserviceable Ju 52 blown up at Sidi el Magrun/SSE of Benghazi to prevent capture by the advancing enemy, 100%.
20 Nov 42: flights to Tunisia being staged through Trapani.
27 Nov 42: Ju 52 (SJ+DQ) reported missing in the vicinity of the Ischia Islands near Naples, 100%, 1 KIA and 4 MIA.
30 Nov 42: based at Foggia.
2 Dec 42: Ju 52 reported missing on flight from Tripoli to Trapani, 100%, 4 crew and 17 passengers MIA.
12 Dec 42: Ju 52 struck the ground and crashed near Tazzoli (Tazzola/19 km S of Bologna?), 100%, 4 KIA.
12 Dec 42: Ju 52 struck the ground and crashed at Tripoli, 100%, 4 crew WIA, 3 passengers KIA and 14 other passengers WIA.
31 Dec 42: Ju 52 crashed during a night landing at Tripoli, 100%.
Jan 43: transferred from Foggia to Naples-Capodichino at the end of December, and from there continued transport operations under Stab/KG z.b.V. “N”.
2 Jan 43: Ju 52 force landed at Naples - engine failure, 100%, 2 crew and 7 passengers WIA.
13 Jan 43: Ju 52 crashed at Naples-Capodichino - engine failure, 60%, 2 WIA.
22 Jan 43: 4 Ju 52s bombed on the ground at Tunis, all 100%, 7 KIA and 14 WIA.
28 Jan 43: Ju 52 destroyed in mid-air collision over Tunis, 100%, 4 crew and 8 passengers KIA.
7 Feb 43: Ju 52 shot down by a fighter off Sicily, 100%, 4 KIA.
Feb 43: disbanded around mid-February with remaining aircraft handed over to KGr.z.b.V. 106 and surplus personnel reassigned to KGr.z.b.V. 300 (the replacement Gruppe).

FpN: Gruppenstab with 1. – 4. Staffel (L 50429)

Kommandeur:
Obstlt. Richard Kupschus (DKG) (Nov 42 - c. Feb 43)
Maj. Walter Hornung (DKG) (c. Feb 43 - Feb 43)

[Sources:
PRO London: AIR 40/Air Ministry A.I.3(E) intelligence study of German Air Force transport formations in the Mediterranean theater, dated 10 May 1943.
BA-MA Freiburg: RL 2 III Meldungen über Flugzeugunfälle…..(Loss Reports – LRs).
NARA WashDC: RG 242/T-971 roll 33, frame 347.
F.Morzik-German Air Force Airlift Operations:405.]

HTH,

--BHS1956

[peter u]

Top information for Edward!!!
It is always difficult when you don't have the right research books in your immediate reach to find small ad hoc formed unit.

What more does one need to know?

Thanks also from me.
cheers,
Peter

[Edward]

BHS1956, Superb! Thank you very much for taking the time to provide the information. You are top notch.

Polynike, thank you also for taking the time to check. Much appreicated.

Peter, thank you for asking. Yes, the information is from a Luftwaffe Soldbuch to an Oberfeldwebel who served on a Ju-52 in the unit.

Jerry