Kampfgeschwader 4

Geschwaderkommodore:

• Ob Martin Fiebig, 1.9.39 – 10.5.40
• Ob Hans-Joachim Rath, 30.5.40 – 6.42
• Ob Dr. Gottlieb Wolff, 16.6.42 – 11.1.43
• ObLt Heinz-Joachim Schmidt, 12.1.43 – 9.5.43
• ObLt Werner Klosinski, 10.5.43 – 12.44
• Maj Reinhard Graubner, 4.12.44 – 8.5.45

Stab:

Formed 1.5.39 in Erfurt from Stab/KG253.

The movements of the Stab, especially in 1942-43, is uncertain,and this is the best estimate.

I. Gruppe:

Gruppenkommandeure:

• ObLt Nikolaus-Wolfgang Maier, 1.5.39 – 24.11.39
• ObLt Hans-Joachim Rath, 24.11.39 – 30.5.40
• Maj Hans von Ploetz, 5.6.40 – 1.7.40
• Maj Meissner, 9.7.40 – 14.12.40
• Maj Schult, 14.12.40 – 28.1.41
• Hptm Klaus Nöske, 28.1.41 – 18.5.41
• Maj von Groddeck, 18.5.41 – 8.7.41
• Maj Klaus Nöske, 8.7.41 – 31.12.41
• Maj Alewyn, 4.1.42 – 21.3.42
• Hptm Helmuth Boltze, 26.3.42 – 20.9.42
• Maj Wolf Wetterer, 21.9.42 – 1.6.43
• Hptm Hans-Gotthelf von Kalckreuth, 1.6.43 – 21.10.43
• Maj Hansgeorg Bätcher, 21.10.43 – 24.3.44
• Maj Ernst Göpel, 24.3.44 – 2.45
• Hptm Rolf Rannersmann, 2.45 – 8.5.45

Formed 1.5.39 in Gotha from I./KG253. On 21.10.43 I./KG4 and I./KG100exchanged designations (I./KG4 became I./KG100, and a new I./KG4 was formedfrom the old I./KG100).

* 2./KG4 was detached to Comiso, late 12.40 to 10.6.41.

** 2./KG4 was detached to Eleusis, 28.9.44 – 4.10.44,for the evacuation of Greece.

II. Gruppe:

Gruppenkommandeure:

• ObLt Erdmann, 1.5.39 – 30.9.39
• Maj Dietrich Freiherr von Massenbach, 1.10.39 – 6.40
• ObLt Dr. Gottlieb Wolff, 3.7.40 – 15.6.42
• Maj Rolf Samson Himmelstjerna, 7.42 – 23.9.42
• Maj Karl von Knauer, 23.9.42 – 15.10.42
• ObLt Heinz-Joachim Schmidt, 18.10.42 – 11.1.43
• Maj Reinhard Graubner, 30.1.43 – 1.7.44
• Maj Carl-Otto Hesse, 1.7.44 – 8.5.45

Formed 1.5.39 in Erfurt from II./KG253.

* 5./KG4 was detached to Catania, 21.4.41 – 6.41; 4./KG4was detached to Mossul (Iraq), 14.5.41 – 29.5.41.

III. Gruppe:

Gruppenkommandeure:

• Maj Evers, 1.5.39 – 12.39
• Maj Neudörffer, 12.39 – 4.40
• Maj Erich Bloedorn, 19.6.40 – 15.10.40
• Maj Wolfgang Bühring, 3.2.41 – 25.11.41
• Hptm Hermann Kühl, 25.11.41 – 22.7.42
• Maj Wolfgang Queisner, 31.7.42 – 5.9.42
• Maj Werner Klosinski, 6.9.42 – 1.5.43
• Maj Kurt Neumann, 20.5.42 – 2.44
• Maj Ernst Dieter von Tellemann, 3.44 – 6.44
• Maj Reinhard Graubner, 2.7.44 – 4.12.44
• Maj Herbert von Kruska, 5.12.44 – 8.5.45

Formed 1.5.39 in Nordhausen from III./KG253. On 15.10.40 redesignatedIII./KG30. Reformed 15.1.41 in Leeuwarden (Gruppenstab, 7. and 8./KG4).9./KG4 was not formed until 17.5.41.

* 9./KG4 moved to Lechfeld on 16.10.42, and on 26.10.42to Kalamaki (Athens). Remained there until about 3.12.42.

** part of III./KG4 was based at Brjansk, 1.6.43 to 16.6.43.

IV. (Erg.) Gruppe:

Gruppenkommandeure:

• Maj Karl-Gerd Roth, 18.6.40 – 17.6.43
• Maj Karl Alber, 19.6.43 – 15.8.44

Formed late 3.41 in Fassberg, from Erg.Staffel/9. Flieger-Division (atfirst only Gruppenstab, 10. and 11./KG4). 12./KG4 was formed 1.7.42. IV./KG4was disbanded 15.8.44.