Kampfgeschwader 50
I. Gruppe:Gruppenkommandeure:
Formed 7.42 in Brandenburg-Briest from parts of 10./KG40.Was equipped with He 177A bombers. The unit was charged with the evaluationof this new bomber, and this took place at Brandenburg-Briest and at Værløse(Denmark). In early 12.42 the unit was transferred to Zaporozhye in South Russiafor winter trials with 20 He 177A. Due to the worsening situation at Stalingrad,the unit was promptly applied to the transport role, although only sevenaircraft was serviceable. On the first operation the Gruppenkommandeur,Major Scheede, was lost, and the aircraft was found to be totally unsuitedfor the transport role. The unit quickly reverted to bombing missions insupport ot the Army. I./KG50 flew 13 missions, and lost most aircraft. In late 1.43 the remnants returned to Brandenburg-Briest, and was retrainedin the anti-shipping role with Hs 293 missiles. The unit moved to Burg-Magdeburglater in the year. On 25.10.43 the unit was redesignated II./KG40 and moved to Bordeaux-Merignac. |