KAMPFGESCHWADER 1 – Poland 1939.

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a new history, this time dealing with a Bombing Wing over Poland................

Kampfgeschwader 1 "Hindenburg" - KG1

Raised on May 01 1939 as Kampfgeschwader 1 “Hindenburg” from the Staff KG 152 and the IV./ KG 152; the I./ KG 1 was deployed at Bodenhagen (near Kolberg) with its 1., 2. and 3 staffeln (ex – 10., 11. and 12 in the IV./ KG 152)

HQ and HQ Sqn – 8 He-111H planes’ code V4+_A.

I./ KG 1 – 38 He-111E planes’ codes:

1. Sqn: V4+_H
2. Sqn: V4+_K
3. Sqn: V4+_L

On Aug 26 of 1939 the Wing was mobilized as part of the 1. Luftflotte (Gen.d.Flg. Albert Kesselring) with HQ of KG 1, I./ KG 1 and I./ KG 152 (Pinnow).

On Aug 31 of 1939 came the order for its emplyment next day Sep 01 of 1939.

Sources: Luftflotte I – 1939. Krzysztof Janowicz. Kagero.
8. Luftwaffe Photo Album - KAMPFGESCHWADER 1. Historical Media, LLC
http://www.mapy.blink.pl/kolberg/bagicz_do45.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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Kampfgeschwader 1 "Hindenburg" - KG1.

01 Sep 1939.

KG 1 Commanded by Generalmajor Ulrich Kessler took off as the first; with Kessler himself as observer in the He 111H (V4+AA). Shortly after 05:00 hours took of from the airfield of Kolberg the I./ KG 1 (Oberstleutnant Robert Krauss) heading towards Puck, a polish naval air base. Some 30 He-111 got over the target completely unexpected. The bombs hit the take off lane, air-sheds, quarters and workstations, killing also four pilots being Cdr Edward Szystowski Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Division among them.

The KG 1 crews returning from Puck were directed over the airfield of Rumia.

Around 16:00 hours took off the second raid with 29 He-111 escorted by 3.(J)/LG2 heading towards the airfield of Torun (Thorn).

Sources: Luftflotte I – 1939. Krzysztof Janowicz. Kagero.
8. Luftwaffe Photo Album - KAMPFGESCHWADER 1. Historical Media, LLC
http://www.mapy.blink.pl/kolberg/bagicz_do45.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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Kampfgeschwader 1 "Hindenburg" - KG1.

02 Sep 1939.

In the morning of September 2nd, a crew of a reconnaissance Do-17 reported that in the sea port of Hel there were polish ships. The Head of Luftflotte 1 directed to attack and this time Ju-87s of II. And III./ St G 2 plus He-111s of KG 1 took off heading for Hel. But again a strong antiaircraft fire restricted the accuracy.

The HQ squadron had to bomb the aerodrome of Ossowice near Bydgoszcz but it could not be carried out due to the dense fog. A column of troops in neighborhoods of Bydgoszcz was bombed instead. The next attack was mounted to avoid the withdrawal of Polish troops in the area of Bytów - Tczew - Nowe - Kwidzyn – Gniew.

In that day the Wing suffered the first losses:

He 111H (V4 + FA) forced landing near the city of Mrocza (Mrotschen), damage suffered near 50%, the crew survived.

He 111H (V4 + EA) crashed in the zone of of Herzfelde, the crew survived.

The I/KG1 received the task of bombing the Polish troop movements in the region of Bydgoszcz. Columns of troops in the highway Kościerzyna - Zblewo and Nowe - Tczew were bombed . Several airplanes took hits of light arms.

In addition 3 He-111E with an escort of Me-109 of the I (J)/LG 2 raided the area of Westerplatte with incendiary bombs. The first casualty was the observer pilot Uffz. Schön who received a mortal shot in his head during the action.

Sources: Luftflotte I – 1939. Krzysztof Janowicz. Kagero.
8. Luftwaffe Photo Album - KAMPFGESCHWADER 1. Historical Media, LLC
http://www.mapy.blink.pl/kolberg/bagicz_do45.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[crolick]

He.111 from KG 1 took part only in the air raids on 1 IX on Puck and Rumia, and on 2 IX on Westerplatte.

Are you sure that photo is depicting He.111 V4+FA downed near Mrotschen?! For me it looks like that plane is damage much more then 50%...

[tigre]

Hello Crolick ; yeah a good question: I have not expertise with the KG 1 but the V4+FA was shot down on 02 Sep 1939; the foto below shows the V4+FA with the following caption shot down near Nackel on Sep 13 at 06:30 hours. But no He-111 lost that day....AFAIK; may be the foto was taken later on 13 Sep. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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Kampfgeschwader 1 "Hindenburg" - KG1.

03 Sep 1939.

The HQ Sqn would support the ground forces around Lędyczek <Landeck> - Sępólno Krajeńskie <Zempelburg> - Gruczno – Wisla; the action was called off.

The I./ KG 1 bombed assembly areas of Polish troops in the zone of Bukowca and west of Schwetz.

Sources: Luftflotte I – 1939. Krzysztof Janowicz. Kagero.
8. Luftwaffe Photo Album - KAMPFGESCHWADER 1. Historical Media, LLC
http://www.mapy.blink.pl/kolberg/bagicz_do45.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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Kampfgeschwader 1 "Hindenburg" - KG1.

04 Sep 1939.

Squadron HQ: the 111 V4+GA fulfilling a reconnaissance mission on Bromberg (Bydgoszcz). Flying over the city got anti-aircraft fire and had to carry out a forced landing.

The I./KG 1 during the morning and escorted by two squadrons of fighter bombers Me 110 of I./ZG 1 attacked Lotyn (Lottin). At 10:00 hours bombing of objectives in Dobrzyn on the railway line Torun - Wloclawek; most of the bombs fell on Aleksandrow. Around 14:00 hours assemblig areas of polish troops were attacked on the highway heading to Plonsk. At 16:00 hours order of transport to Ziethen but soon the orders were revoked.

Sources: Luftflotte I – 1939. Krzysztof Janowicz. Kagero.
8. Luftwaffe Photo Album - KAMPFGESCHWADER 1. Historical Media, LLC
http://www.mapy.blink.pl/kolberg/bagicz_do45.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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Kampfgeschwader 1 "Hindenburg" - KG1.

05 Sep 1939.

HQ Squadron - it completed two aerial reconnaissances, without specifying.

I/KG1 - 9 He - 111 of the 3. /KG 1 attacked the station of Aleksandrów. Approximately at 11:00 hours the unit was transferred to Ziethen and operated from there onwards. In the morning, the first squadron operated in the region of Bydgoszcz - Alexandroff - Plock - Sierpc - Rypin - Kulm.

Sources: Luftflotte I – 1939. Krzysztof Janowicz. Kagero.
8. Luftwaffe Photo Album - KAMPFGESCHWADER 1. Historical Media, LLC
http://www.mapy.blink.pl/kolberg/bagicz_do45.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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Kampfgeschwader 1 "Hindenburg" - KG1.

06 Sep 1939.

HQ Squadron: In the morning 2 He-111H took off to recognize the region Zakowice - Brzeziny - Lodz - Tomaszów. Due South-east of Rawa, the Heinkels were attacked by 5 Messerschmitt Bf 110 of the I/ZG1. The He-111 H (V4 + HA) fell down on the South border of the Pilica. The crew survived and managed to escape towards the occupied area by the Wehrmacht, only the pilot was taken prisoner by the Poles.

3 He-111 recognized the troop movements in the region of Bydgoszcz - Kutno - Lowicz - Sochaczew - Wyszogrod. During the flight of return and in neighborhoods of Lowicz they were attacked by 6 Polish fighters PZL. During the fight a PZL was knocked down and fell due north of Sochaczew.

I/KG1 - In the morning 9 He - 111E of the second squadron bombed several objectives in the area of Brzeziny - Rawa - Skierniewice.

In the afternoon, 21 machines attacked objectives in the area of Lowicz - Kutno - Sochaczew. Near Lowicz they fought with 3 Polish airplanes without suffering losses.

Sources: Luftflotte I – 1939. Krzysztof Janowicz. Kagero.
8. Luftwaffe Photo Album - KAMPFGESCHWADER 1. Historical Media, LLC
http://www.mapy.blink.pl/kolberg/bagicz_do45.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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Kampfgeschwader 1 "Hindenburg" - KG1.

07 Sep 1939.

The Wing was assigned to the Luftflotte 4.

HQ Squadron: It began to fly towards Breslau/Wroclaw (Breslau Schöngarten). As a result of some accidents in Ziethen, the He-111H (V4 + EA), (V4 + FA) and (V4 + IA) were out of service. The transport of personnel and equipment was carried out in a Ju-52 (V4 52 + SA) and the Fi 156 (D-IPBC), the last one had to land in a field near Őgnitz due to a failure of its motor. On the following day, that is to say on September 08, informed of its arrival to Breslau/Wroclaw.

I/KG1 - Between the 12:30 and 15:10 hours all the machines belonging to the I./KG 1 flew to Breslau/Wroclaw (Breslau Schöngarten).

Sources: Luftflotte I – 1939. Krzysztof Janowicz. Kagero.
8. Luftwaffe Photo Album - KAMPFGESCHWADER 1. Historical Media, LLC
http://www.mapy.blink.pl/kolberg/bagicz_do45.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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Kampfgeschwader 1 "Hindenburg" - KG1.

8 Sep 1939.

The squadrons operated from Breslau/Wroclaw towards the area of Zamosc - Jaroslaw.

9 Sep 1939.

The Wing operated in the area between Warsaw and Lublin. In air combat with the 121 Polish Squadron was shot downs a He - 111 of the 2. Squadron over Kielce and another He - 111 of the 3. Squadron was shot down in the region of Lukow by antiaircraft artillery.


Railway station of Lukow.

Sources: Luftflotte I – 1939. Krzysztof Janowicz. Kagero.
8. Luftwaffe Photo Album - KAMPFGESCHWADER 1. Historical Media, LLC
http://www.mapy.blink.pl/kolberg/bagicz_do45.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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Kampfgeschwader 1 "Hindenburg" - KG1.

10 Sep 1939.

The Wing attacked objectives in the area of Warsaw - Lublin and Kutno - Wloclawek - Klodawa. In the zone of Leczyca was shot down the He-111 (V4+KH) by antiaircraft artillery fire being killed all its crew. The He – 111 (V4+LL) which was damaged by hostil antiaircraft artillery fire during a nocturnal reconnaissance, crashed when landing in emergency in Breslau/Wroclaw, this airplane flew together with the Do-17 (7A+CK) of 2.(F)/121.

The Ju-52 (V4+SA) transported personnel of KG 1 to Zithen to repair the He - 111 (V4 + EA) and (V4 + IA).

Sources: Luftflotte I – 1939. Krzysztof Janowicz. Kagero.
8. Luftwaffe Photo Album - KAMPFGESCHWADER 1. Historical Media, LLC
http://www.mapy.blink.pl/kolberg/bagicz_do45.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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Kampfgeschwader 1 "Hindenburg" - KG1.

11 of September 1939.

The Wing carried out reconnaissance missions on the region Lowicz - Wloclawek, during the flight tried to fight some polish planes 24.ER Karas, but without success.

12 of September 1939.

Flights in order to recognize troop movements in the region of Sochaczew, Piatka, Deblin, Warsaw and Lodz.

13 of September 1939.

18 He - 111E raided objectives in the zone of Piątek - Sochaczew. Until that date, two machines affected to maintain constant liaison as couriers between Wroclaw and Lodz, where the Commando of the 8 AOK was located. In addition, the HQ Squadron of KG 1, received a new He - 111H-2, which replaced the Heinkel (V4 + HA).

Sources: Luftflotte I – 1939. Krzysztof Janowicz. Kagero.
8. Luftwaffe Photo Album - KAMPFGESCHWADER 1. Historical Media, LLC
http://www.mapy.blink.pl/kolberg/bagicz_do45.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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Kampfgeschwader 1 "Hindenburg" - KG1.

14 of September 1939.

The Wing did not fulfill combat missions, the Squadron Commando carried out a meteorological flight. From the 12:00 hours, the Wing was assigned to the Fl.Div.2.

15 of September 1939.

Members of the KG1 flew to Krosno to prepare the airport for the Wing. In that day also a bombing operation on the Bug took place and the airplanes after the actions already landed in Krosno.

16 of September 1939.

According to “Verlegung West" (movement towards the west) the KG1 was subordinated to Luftflotte 2. Therefore, the transference anticipated to the airport of Krosno was cancelled.

Sources: Luftflotte I – 1939. Krzysztof Janowicz. Kagero.
8. Luftwaffe Photo Album - KAMPFGESCHWADER 1. Historical Media, LLC
http://www.mapy.blink.pl/kolberg/bagicz_do45.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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Kampfgeschwader 1 "Hindenburg" - KG1.

17 of September 1939.

The KG1 operated in the region of Terespol. It was reincorporated to the squadron the He - 111H (V4 + EA), after being repaired its motors in Ziethen.

Sources: Luftflotte I – 1939. Krzysztof Janowicz. Kagero.
8. Luftwaffe Photo Album - KAMPFGESCHWADER 1. Historical Media, LLC
http://www.mapy.blink.pl/kolberg/bagicz_do45.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .