I've been reading the forgotten soldier by Guy Sajer and he mentions that the Luftwaffe was still operational even during the Soviet invasion of East Prussia in January-February 1945. Does anybody know the Luftwaffe's strengh in fighter aircraft in the Winter of 1944 to Germany's surrender on the Eastern Front. Thanks.
Does anybody know the Luftwaffe's strengh in fighter aircraft in the Winter of 1944 to Germany's surrender on the Eastern Front. Thanks. If you get a copy of Stuka pilot by Hans rudel, he gives an account of the fighting in the eastern front of the time. :ph34r: :ph34r:
Thomas These are the strength's given for January 45 in the East . I'm sure your aware that fuel would also have been a major obstacle . Luftflotte 6 was the one based in East Prussian by January 45 Dayfighter :single engined Luftflotte 1 : 90 Luftflotte 4 : 78 Luftflotte 5 : 82 Luftflotte 6 : 153 Dayfighters : twin engined Luftflotte 5 : 35 Nightfighters : Luftflotte 5 : 9 Luftflotte 6 : 76 Groundattack Luftflotte 1 : 35 Luftflotte 4 : 199 Luftflotte 6 : 278 Night groundattack : Luftflotte 1 : 26 Luftflotte 4 : 101 Luftflotte 5 : 30 Luftflotte 6 : 47 Cheers Phil.
Thanks for that BlackSeptember the Luftwaffe going by numbers was still rather formidable but of course as you say the fuel shortage would have hampered any operations. Can you please tell me what would be the average number of aircraft in a Luftlotte in 1941 when Germany invaded the Soviet Union. Thanks.
Thomas I cannot give you strength figures but during February to May 45 they were inconsistent since it was not a major priority for Luftwaffe air units to keep figures except possibly scores against Soviet a/c. A precise order was given in mid Janaury 1945 for nearly 3/4's of the Luftwaffe day fighter forces to go to the Ost front for the final battles of Berlin JG's 26, 27 JG 7 with the ME 262, JG 2, 53, 300 and 301 and II./JG 3 were defending Germany along with the almost defunct Me 163 Komet unit JG 400 whcih was basically out of fuels. The night fighter units on the other hand remained at full capacity in the defense of the Reich except for portions of NJG 100 whcih were retreating from the east.......... Erich ~
The Last Year of the Luftwaffe, by Alfred Price, has a very complete rundown of Luftwaffe strengths and types in all theaters in 1945. I highly recommend it.
Unfortunately these figures do not accurately show the actual total of planes over the battlefield (although I know that the figures are correct) due to the complete lack of fuel from the end of 1944. Making the planes wasnt the problem, findong fuel to fly them was the big killer.
(Thomas McCall @ Aug 13 2004, 11:03 AM) [post=27344]Thanks for that BlackSeptember the Luftwaffe going by numbers was still rather formidable but of course as you say the fuel shortage would have hampered any operations. Can you please tell me what would be the average number of aircraft in a Luftlotte in 1941 when Germany invaded the Soviet Union. Thanks. [/b] Coming a bit late on this one but here is the number of serviceable air units for each Luftflotte in june 1941: Luftflotte 1: 395 Luftflotte 2 : 883 Luftflotte 4 : 592 Cheers
(Gotthard Heinrici @ Dec 20 2005, 06:03 AM) [post=43420]Unfortunately these figures do not accurately show the actual total of planes over the battlefield (although I know that the figures are correct) due to the complete lack of fuel from the end of 1944. Making the planes wasnt the problem, findong fuel to fly them was the big killer. [/b] And experienced pilots. A plane is only as good as it's pilot.
Luftflotte 1: 395 Luftflotte 2 : 883 Luftflotte 4 : 592 Ok a little correction here: seems those were the figures for June, 24, 1941, 2 days after the beginning of Barbarossa.
