Kampfgeschwader 26

Geschwaderkommodore:

• GenMaj Hans Siburg, 1939 – 9.39
• GenMaj Robert Fuchs, 29.9.39 – 15.10.40
• GenLt Alexander Holle, 15.10.40 – 6.41
• Ob Martin Harlinghausen, 6.1.42 – 11.42
• Ob Karl Stockmann, 12.42 – 2.43
• ObLt Werner Klümper, 3.43 – 11.44
• ObLt Wilhelm Stemmler, 11.44 – 1.45
• ObLt Georg Teske, 2.45 – 5.45

Stab:

Formed 1.5.39 in Lüneburg from Stab/KG257. In June 1941 redesignatedStab/Fliegerführer Nord. Reformed 11.42 in Grosseto, Italy. Beganthe war with He 111H, but converted to Ju88 in 4.44.

I. Gruppe:

Gruppenkommandeure:

• Maj Walter Loebel, 5.39 – 12.9.39
• ObLt Hans Alefeld, 13.9.39 – 20.4.40
• ObLt Hermann Busch, 20.4.40 – 3.42
• Hptm Bert Eicke (acting), 3.42 – 7.42
• Maj Werner Klümper, 7.42 – 1.43
• Hptm Herbert Vater, 1.43 – 7.43
• Hptm Klaus Toball (acting), 7.43 – 8.43
• Hptm Helmut von Rabenau, 8.43 – 11.11.43
• Hptm Jochen Müller, 12.11.43 – 7.44
• Maj Willi Sölter, 7.44 – 2.45

Formed 1.5.39 at Lübeck-Blankensee from I./KG257. Began the warwith He 111H bombers, but from 1.42 began converting to He 111H torpedobombers, with one staffel converting at Grosseto at a time, beginning with3./KG26. Converted to Ju 88A-4 LT torpedo bombers from 4.44. The aricraftand crews from I./KG77 was absorbed on 20.7.44.

* 1./KG26 was detached at Westerland
** 2. and 3./KG26 moved to Stavanger-Sola in 3.41. 2./KG26 moved to Banakin 8.41, followed by 3./KG26 in 10.41. The whole group was united againin 12.41 at Bardufoss.
*** Detachment at Piacenza, 1.44 – 2.44, to combat the allied landingsat Anzio.

II. Gruppe:

Gruppenkommandeure:

• ObLt von Bushe, 1.5.39 – 10.39
• ObLt Hans Hefele, 10.39 – 3.4.40
• Maj Martin Vetter, 6.4.40 – 20.8.40
• Maj Eckhard Christian, 21.8.40 – 31.12.40
• Maj Helmut Bertram, 1.1.41 – 17.1.41
• Hptm Robert Kowalewski, 18.1.41 – 14.5.41
• Maj W. Beyling, 15.5.41 – 11.2.43
• Maj Georg Teske, 12.2.43 – 10.8.44
• Maj Otto Werner, 11.8.44 – 2.12.44
• Maj Rudolf Schmidt, 3.12.44 – 8.5.45

Formed 1.5.39 in Lüneburg from II./KG257. Began the war with He111H bombers. In 2.41 6./KG26 converted to He111H-4/6 (torp.) torpedo bombers.The rest of the Gruppe converted to torpedo bombers from 4.42 at Grosseto(one staffel at a time). The Gruppe began converting to Ju 88A torpedobombers from 6.43.

* 4. and 5./KG26 was based at Foggia 6.4.41 – 20.4.41
** 6./KG26 moved to Buzeau (Romania) 9.41, and to Saki 12.41. In 10.42moved to Catania, and joined the rest of the Gruppe in Grosseto on 9.11.42.
*** 4./KG26 detached at Focsani, 4.44 – 5.44

III. Gruppe:

Gruppenkommandeure:

• Maj Viktor von Lossberg, 1.11.39 – 31.5.40
• Maj Günther Wolfien, 1.6.40 – 2.41
• Maj Viktor von Lossberg, 2.41 – 30.8.41
• Maj K. Lersche, 1.9.41 – 10.41
• Maj S. Böhme, 10.41 – 2.42
• Hptm Ernst Thomsen, 2.42 – 21.7.42
• Hptm Möller, 22.7.42 – 9.42
• Maj G. Hielscher, 9.42 – 11.42
• Maj Horst Kayser, 11.42 – 19.12.42
• Hptm Klaus Nocken, 20.12.42 – 2.44
• Maj Ernst Thomsen, 2.44 – 10.44
• Maj Wolf Harseim, 10.44 – 8.5.45

Began forming 12.9.39 in Jesau with He 111H bombers. Formation was completedin 2.40, but the gruppe was immediately renamed KGr126, and was reformedfrom I./KG28. On 15.12.41 while in Setschinskaja, was renamed II./KG100,and was reformed from the new I./KG28. On 8.6.42 again renamed, now becomingI./KG1, and was reformed from Kü.Fl.Gr.506, now with Ju88A-4 bombers. In 4.44 converted to Ju 88A-17, andin 8.44 – 11.44 to Ju 188A-3.

* Detachment at Piacenza, 1.44 – 2.44, to combat the alliedlandings at Anzio.

IV. Gruppe:

Gruppenkommandeure:

• Maj Ziemann, 3.41 – 9.41
• Maj Fritz Gehring, 9.41 – 3.44
• Maj Klaus Nocken, 3.44 – 9.44
• Maj Peter Schnoor, 10.44 – 12.44

Ergänzungsgruppe, for the operational training of bomber crewsfor KG26. 10./KG26 formed 10.40, and increased to Gruppe strength in 3.41with 10., 11. and 12./KG26. Stationed at Lübeck-Blankensee. From 1943known as Ergänzungskampfgruppe LT (Lufttorpedo).On 25.12.44 redesignated II./EKG1 at Kolberg, andended the war at Beldringe/Odense.