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I could use an explanation...

Rami

Rami

Administrator
Staff member
Good morning!

In my research project on the Balkans, I have found myself confused a bit by the organization and designation of Luftwaffe units, and I have some questions.

Why is a bomber unit, or Kampfgeschwader, divided into the following...?

Stabstaffel - What is this?

And what is the difference between a Stabstaffel and a Gruppe, such as I/KG 2, II/KG 2, and III/KG 2?

Also, what is the role / function of a Lehrgeschwader, or "demonstration unit?"

I have tried to figure this out on my own, but keep swinging an empty net.

Thanks in advance for any clarification!
 
Rami,

Best explanation I found of Geschwader organisation & structure


http://www.chronicles-of-the-luftwaffe.de/?page_id=58

Stabstaffel = a/c flight (typically 4 a/c) for the Gruppe CO & staff

I, II, III & IV/KG2 = each one is a Gruppe, comprising 3 or 4 staffel, each of 12 a/c (paper strength, often lower), plus a stabstaffel

Think of it as
Geschwader = Wing
Gruppe = Group
Staffel = Squadron

Hope this helps
 
Hi Rami,

I know that the Luftwaffe always had a HQ or staff officers flight, whether it be in a Schwarm or Staffel and in the fighter, nightfighter or bomber arm etc. It was usually flown in by the CO, adjudant or intel officer etc with other squadron crew.

The basic Luftwaffe unit was the Staffel which was normally made up of between 9 and 16 aircraft.It was led by a Staffelkapitan who normally held the rank of Hauptmann or Oberleutnant (Captain or First Lieutenant respectively).The Staffel was always identified by an Arabic number ( 6./JG 1). Apart from the aircraft and aircrew, the Staffel had a ground organisation of various vehicles and about 150 men.

Three or four Staffeln combined together formed a Gruppe. This could be automomous like a recon. unit - and it was ibentified by an Arabic number - or part of a Geschwader or WIng in which case it was ibentified by a Roman number ( NAG 6 or III./JG 1).The Gruppe also had a Stab(staff) or Headquarters flight. Commanding Officer of the unit was the Gruppe Kommandeur (usually a Major or Hauptmann) with his Stab including the Gruppe Adjutant and the Gruppe Technische Offizier(technical Officer).

As with the Staffel, three, four and occasionally five Gruppen formed a Geschwader or Wing.They were always identified by an Arabic numeral. Like the Gruppe , the Geschwader contained a Stab made of the Geschwader Kommodore (wing commander usualy an Oberst,Obertsleutnant or Major) and other personel as Adjutant,TO,Ia (operation officer), Ic (intelligence officer), Nachrichten Offizier (signals officer) and a Major Beim Stab(staf major).

The Luftwaffe structure system cannot be directly related to the RAF or USAAF structure, but can be seen to parallel. So very roughly..Schwarm = flight, Staffel = Flight/Squadron, Gruppe = Squadron and Geschwade = Wing/Group

In the RAF or USAAF there would be separate testing Sqns such as the RAF NFIU (Night Fighter Interception Unit), which would test out equipment and tactics. This would be the Lehrgeschwader equivalent. Although geschwade is a Wing, so I suppose it a dedicated training wing of the Luftwaffe, which the like the USAAF had in the 50's and onwards.

Hope this helps.

Shessi
 
UncleTgt said:
Think of it as
Geschwader = Wing
Gruppe = Group
Staffel = Squadron
Click to expand...

Just to clarify - RAF and US AAF use Group and Wing in different ways, so very roughly:

Luftwaffe - US AAF - RAF (and Commonwealth air forces such as RAAF)

Schwarm - Flight - Flight
Staffel - Squadron - Squadron
Gruppe - Group - Wing
Geschwader - Wing - Group

Note that in the Commonwealth air forces composition of wings and groups could be very changeable (i.e. the member squadrons might change a lot) whereas in the Luftwaffe the Geschwader membership was more-or-less permanent.

Cheers,

SW
 
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