Would anyone have knowledge of Luftwaffe units who participated, or are likely to have participated, in the occupation of Memel, March 1939?
Thanks to anyone who may respond,
Mike
Thanks to anyone who may respond,
Mike
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Germany issued an ultimatum to Lithuania, Lithuania folded, and German troops entered the territory of Memel (Klaipéda), which adjoins East Prussia, on 23 March 1939.
The Luftwaffe may have flown a few demonstration and Leaflet-dropping flights over Memel, but they certainly didn't amount to much. Karl Ries devotes an entire chapter to Luftwaffe operations up to the beginning of the war and does not even mention Memel. However, I think I did read somewhere that a few flights were made (possibly by a Fernaufklärungsstaffel). Any Luftwaffe ground troops that might have accompanied the Heer would have been Luftnachrichten and Fliegerhorst personnel, and just a small handful of those.
[Ries, Karl. Luftwaffen Story 1935-1939. Mainz: Verlag Dieter Hoffmann, 1974. Chapter VII (pp. 182-209)]. -
Larry,
Many thanks for the info.
The reason for my question is that I possess a Luftwaffe medal group that includes the Memel medal.
Regards,
MikeComment
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