''Sturzkampfgeschwader'' 2
Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 | |
---|---|
Active | 1939–43 |
Country | Nazi Germany |
Branch | Luftwaffe |
Type | Dive bomber |
Role | Close air support |
Size | Air Force Wing |
Nickname(s) | Immelmann |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Dr. Ernst Kupfer (13.2.43 - 9.9.43) |
Insignia | |
Cuff title | |
Identification symbol | T6 (became SG 2 in 1943) |
Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 (StG 2) Immelmann was a Luftwaffe Dive bomber-wing of World War II. It was named after Max Immelmann in 1939. The unit was originally formed as Fliegergruppe Schwerin in 1934; the first Stuka wing of its type, attaining the sobriquet 'Immelmann' in 1935. The wing was raised to gruppe status in 1939.
History
Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann" was formed on 1 May 1939, I. Group in Cottbus, II. Group in Stolp-Reitt and III. Group in Langensalza. On 18 October 1943 it was renamed to Schlachtgeschwader 2.
StG 2 flew operations in the Polish Campaign, the Battle of France, and the Battle of Britain.
In 1941 it saw service in the Balkans Campaign, and on the Eastern Front.
For most of its service II./StG 2 was detached from the main Geschwader and operated as an independent formation.
On 12 January 1942 II gruppe was redesignated as III./StG 3 and a new wing raised.
While III gruppe continued to fly the Junkers Ju 87 until the end of the war, II gruppe flew the Junkers Ju 87 until March 1944, when two of its staffeln were converted to independent tank destroyer squadrons; 10(Pz) SG 3 and SG 77.
Commanding officers
Kommodore
- Oberstleutnant Oskar Dinort, 15 October 1939
- Oberstleutnant Paul-Werner Hozzel, 16 October 1941
- Oberst Dr. Ernst Kupfer, 13 February 1943
- Oberstleutnant Hans-Karl Stepp, 10 September 1943
Gruppenkommandeure
I./StG 2
- Major Oskar Dinort, 1 May 1939
- Hauptmann Hubertus Hitschhold, 1 October 1939
- Major Bruno Dilley, 15 October 1941
- Hauptmann Alwin Boerst, 1 November 1943
- Hauptmann Kurt Lau, 1 May 1944
- Hauptmann Herbert Bauer, 23 November 1944
II./StG 2
- Major Walter Enneccerus, 1940
- Major Karl Kennel, unknown - 18 October 1943
III./StG 2
- Hauptmann Heinrich Brücker, 1 May 1939
- Hauptmann Ernst-Siegfried Steen, 1 August 1941
- Hauptmann Gustav Preßler, 1 October 1941
- Hauptmann Walter Krauß, 1 April 1943
- Hauptmann Hans-Ulrich Rudel, 19 July 1943
- Hauptmann Lothar Lau, 1 August 1944
- Major Müller, 23 January 1945
Staffelkapitäne
10. (Pz)/StG 2
- Oberleutnant Helmut Schübel, 17 June 1943
- Leutnant of the Reserve Anton Korol, 1 September 1944
See also
Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II
References
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- Bergström, Christer (2007b). Stalingrad – The Air Battle: 1942 through January 1943. Midland Puplishing, Hinkley. ISBN 978-1-85780-276-4
- Bergström, Christer (2015). The Battle of Britain: An Epic Conflict Revisited. Casemate: Oxford. ISBN 978-1612-00347-4.
- Bergström, Christer; Mikhailov, Andrey (2001). Black Cross / Red Star Air War Over the Eastern Front, Volume II, Resurgence January–June 1942. Pacifica, California: Pacifica Military History. ISBN 978-0-935553-51-2.
- Cull, Brian; Lander, Bruce; Weis, Heinrich (1999). Twelve Days in May. London: Grub Street Publishing (UK), ISBN 978-1902304120
- Goss, Chris (2007). Sea Eagles Volume Two: Luftwaffe Anti-Shipping Units 1942–45. Burgess Hill: Classic Publications. ISBN 978-1-9032-2356-7.
- Griehl, Manfred. Junker Ju 87 Stuka. London/Stuttgart: Airlife Publishing/Motorbuch, 2001. ISBN 1-84037-198-6.
- Frieser, Karl-Heinz (1995). Blitzkrieg-Legende: Der Westfeldzug 1940, Operationen des Zweiten Weltkrieges [The Blitzkrieg Myth: The Western Campaign in 1940, Operations of the Second World War] (in German). München: R. Oldenbourg. ISBN 3-486-56124-3.
- Hayward, Joel S (1998). A. Stopped At Stalingrad. Univ. of Kansas; Lawrence. ISBN 978-0-7006-1146-1
- Hooton, E.R. (1994). Phoenix Triumphant: The Rise and Rise of the Luftwaffe. Arms & Armour, ISBN 1854091816.
- Hooton, E.R. (1997). Eagle in Flames: The Fall of the Luftwaffe. Arms & Armour Press. ISBN 1-86019-995-X
- James, T.C.G and Cox, Sebastian. The Battle of Britain. Frank Cass, London. 2000. ISBN 978-0-7146-8149-8
- Mason, Francis (1969). Battle Over Britain. McWhirter Twins, London. ISBN 978-0-901928-00-9
- Muller, Richard (1992). The German Air War in Russia. Nautical & Aviation Publishing. Baltimore, Maryland. ISBN 1-877853-13-5
- Parker, Nigel (2013). Luftwaffe Crash Archive: Volume 1: A Documentary History of Every Enemy Aircraft Brought Down Over the United Kingdom, September 1939 – 14 August 1940. Red Kite, London. ISBN 978-1906592097
- Smith, Peter C. The Junkers Ju 87 Stuka: A Complete History. London: Crecy Publishing Limited, 2011. ISBN 978-0-85979-156-4.
- Ward, John. Hitler's Stuka Squadrons: The Ju 87 at war, 1936–1945. London: Eagles of War, 2004. ISBN 1-86227-246-8.
- Weal, John. Junkers Ju 87 Stukageschwader 1937-41. Oxford, UK: Osprey, 1997. ISBN 1-85532-636-1.
- Weal, John. Junkers Ju 87 Stukageschwader of the Russian Front. Oxford, UK: Osprey, 2008. ISBN 978-1-84603-308-7.