Timeliner
Mission Objective
The object of this blog is to trace the war in the air during the global unpleasantness that was World War 2. My aim is to spread light, not heat. I am a keen player of the aircraft simulation called IL-2, (named after a Russian light bomber) created by Maddox and published by Ubisoft. Getting the facts straight is, to me at least, an important part of the simulation. Many of the sites I have visited in order to get my facts straight, have little detail, while others get bogged down in technical issues. My intention is to steer through this and present an interesting, factual, in depth assessment that is useful to the gamer, historian or student. Sources are given in brackets where available, see appendix.
See sidebar on right hand side for pages of days that have been posted ----->
Addendum. New information comes to hand almost daily. Any additions (like this one) will be highlighted in colour pallet order.
Addendum II. I am finding as I dig further that a lot of information has lost its original verification source. For instance, RAF documents show that elements of the BEF Air Contingent were still in Britain while they were actually in France. How to deal with this without creating an unexeptable delay in publication? I will flag items that I suspect are wrong with an orange highlight thus= xxxxxxxx
Important dates prior to September 1939
July 1934- A major expansion of the RAF is announced, with the number of Home Defence squadrons increased from 52 to 75, and bringing the total first-line strength to 128 squadrons within five years.
December 1934- The School of Army Co-operation at Old Sarum takes delivery of the RAF's first rotary wing aircraft - the Rota Autogiro.
22 May 1935- The British Government votes to treble the number of frontline military aircraft available to defend U.K. soil. This adds up to an increase of 1500 aircraft of all types.
5 Mar 1936- The Supermarine model 300 - later named Spitfire made it's maiden flight at Eastleigh aerodrome. Test pilot 'Mutt' Summers famous comment to the design team after the flight was "don't touch anything".
6 Mar 1936- The RAF's first operational "modern" monoplane, the Avro Anson, equipped with a retractable undercarriage, entered service with No. 48 Squadron, RAF Manston.
14 Jul 1936- As a result of RAF expansion, the Air Council decides to re-organised the Air Defence of Great Britain into four specialised Commands;
Bomber - Commanded by Air Marshal Sir John Steel at Uxbridge;
Fighter - Commanded by Air Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding at Stanmore;
Coastal - Commanded by Air Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore at Lee-on-Solent;
Training - Commanded by Air Marshal Sir Charles Burnett at Ternhill.
Under this system, the individual Air Officers Commanding were responsible for the planning and development of their Command, whilst the Chief of the Air Staff remained in overall control of operational policy.
30 Jul 1936- The RAF Volunteer Reserve is formed. Speaking in the House of Lords, Viscount Swinton announces that volunteers are to be recruited for a minimum of 5 years, receiving flying training at weekends and during an annual 15-day camp. By the outbreak of the Second World War, the scheme had given the RAF a valuable reservoir of 63,000 men trained as pilots as well as medical and technical trades.
January 1937- The last biplane fighter to see service with the RAF, the Gloster Gladiator, entered service with Nos. 3 and 72 Squadrons.
December 1937- No. 111 Squadron at Northolt takes delivery of the first Hawker Hurricane fighters.
1 Apr 1938- RAF Maintenance Command is formed, Commanding Officer Air Vice-Marshal J S T Bradley.
June 1938- The Supermarine Spitfire, perhaps the most famous RAF aircraft ever, enters service with No. 19 Squadron at Duxford.
1 Nov 1938- RAF Balloon Command is formed (commanded by Air Vice-Marshal O T Boyd), deploying some 1,500 barrage balloons by the outbreak of World War II.
1 Jan 1939- At the turn of the year, RAF strength stood at 135 squadrons (74 Bomber, 27 Fighter, 12 Army co-operation, 17 Reconnaissance, 4 Torpedo-bomber and 1 Communications). In addition to this, the Auxiliary Air Force comprised 19 squadrons (3 Bomber, 11 Fighter, 2 Army co-operation and 3 Reconnaissance).
28 Jun 1939- The Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) is formed; Director Miss J Trefusis-Forbes. Formation of the WAAF allowed their male counterparts to be released for aircrew and front-line duties.
1 Sep 1939- Members of the RAF Reserve and RAF Volunteer Reserve are called out for permanent service. At 4.45am Germany commenced the invasion of Poland.
(raftimeline)
Day 1. Friday 1st September 1939
World War Two started on 1st September 1939, many older history books give the start date as 3rd September 1939, but this is an Anglo-centric view in my opinion, because Germany started the conflict by invading Poland in the dawning hours of that Friday. Germany wanted its former industrial area back, it had been ceeded to Poland after WW1. Prussia had been cut off from Germany since 1918, and guaranteeing the Danzig Corridor was a good enough excuse for Hitler to send troops up to the Polish border. Aware of the threat Poland had mobilized its forces.
The two opposing airforces were arranged as follows:-
(all numbers quoted are close approximations due to none-serviceable aircraft, transfers in progress etc. affective at the time.)
Polish Air Force
(Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej)
Men
The Polish Air Force (PAF) was probably one of the best trained and highly skilled in the world at this time. Entrance into the PAF was very difficult and only the best candidates got in. Subsequently the Polish Squadron of the RAF was the highest scoring squadron of the Battle of Britain. No accident that!
Organisation
The PAF was organised thus:-
8 - 12 aircraft = 1 Air Escadrille
2 Eskadra Mysliwska = 1 Air Squadron (i.e. 16-24 aircraft)
2 Eskadra Mysliwska = 1 Group (i.e. 32-48 aircraft)
2 Air Groups = 1 Air Regiment (i.e. 64-96 aircraft)
Eskadra types.
- Bomber Eskadra
- Fighter Eskadra
- Observation Eskadra
- Reconnaissance Eskadra
- Staff Eskadra
On the outbreak of war there were 12 Squadrons of P-11s and 2 of P-7s (i.e. theoretically 96-144 P-11 and 16-24 P-7 aircraft attributed to Fighter Squadrons, actually numbers are difficult to pin down, different authorities giving different numbers, but latest figures seem to be 30 P-7s and 172 P-11s )
For the defence of Warsaw a Pursuit Brigade was formed under the distinguished fighter pilot Colonel Pawlikowski, and consisted of 2 Groups plus a reserve Eskadra of P-7s)(i.e. 50 aircraft.)
The Polish Air Force units were otherwise attached to Armies with a Headquarters Unit acting as a mobile reserve (in theory)
- Communications Platoon No.1
- Communications Platoon No.2
- 16th Observation Eskadra (7x RXIII & 2x RWD-8
 |
| 3rd Air Regiment |
- Pursuit Brigade [40 x P-11, 10 x P-7)
- 1st Fighter Squadron of the 3rd Air Regiment (III/1)
- 111 Fighter Eskadra (111-III/1) [10 x P-11]
- 112 Fighter Eskadra (112-III/1) [10 x P-11]
 |
| 111 Eskadra Mysliwska |
- 1st Fighter Squadron of the 4th Air Regiment (IV/1)
 |
| 4th Air Regiment |
- 113 Fighter Eskadra (113-IV/1) [10 x P-11]
- 114 Fighter Eskadra (114-IV/1) [10 x P-11]
- 123 Fighter Eskadra (123-IV/1) [10 x P-7]
- Bomber Brigade [36 x PZL.37Los, 50 x PZL.23Karas]
- 10th Bomber Squadron
- 211 Bomber Eskadra [9 x PZL.37Los]
- 212 Bomber Eskadra [9 x PZL.37Los]
- 15th Bomber Squadron
- 216 Bomber Eskadra [9 x PZL.37Los]
- 217 Bomber Eskadra [9 x PZL.37Los]
- 2nd Bomber Squadron
- 21 Bomber Eskadra [9 x PZL.23Karas]
- 22 Bomber Eskadra [9 x PZL.23Karas]
- 6th Bomber Squadron
- 64 Bomber Eskadra [9 x PZL.23Karas]
- 65 Bomber Eskadra [9 x PZL.23Karas]
- 55th Independent Bomber Eskadra [14 x PZL.23Karas]
- Communications Platoon 4
- Communications Platoon 12
Modlin Army
- Communications Platoon 11
- 41 Reconnaissance Escadrille
- 5th Fighter Squadron of the 3rd Air Regiment (III/5)
- 152 Fighter Escadrille (152-III/5) [10 x P-11]
- 53 Observation Escadrille [7 x RWD-14, 2 x RWD-8]
Pomorze Army
- Communications Platoon 7
- Communications Platoon 8
- 42 Reconnaissance Eskadra [10 x PLZ.23Karas, 1 x RWD-8]
 |
| 141 Eskadra Mysliwska |
- 4th Fighter Squadron of the 3rd Air Regiment (III/4)
- 141 Fighter Eskadra (141-III/4)[10 x P-11]
- 142 Fighter Eskadra (142-III/4)[10 x P-11]
- 43 Observation Eskadra [7 x Lublin R-XIIIKaras, 1 x RWD-8]
- 46 Observation Eskadra [7 x Lublin R-XIIIKaras, 1 x RWD-8]
- Communications Platoon 6
- 34 Reconnaissance Eskadra
- 3rd Fighter Squadron of the 3rd Air Regiment (III/3)
- 131 Fighter Eskadra [10 x P-11]
- 132 Fighter Eskadra [10 x P-11]
- 33 Observation Eskadra [7 x RWD-14, 2 x RWD-8]
- 36 Observation Eskadra [7 x Lublin R-XIIIKaras, 2 x RWD-8]
- Communications Platoon 10
- 32 Reconnaissance Eskadra
 |
| 161 Eskadra Mysliwska |
- 6th Fighter Squadron of the 3rd Air Regiment (III/6)
- 161 Fighter Eskadra (161-III/6)[10 x P-11]
- 162 Fighter Eskadra (162-III/6)[10 x P-7]
- 66 Observation Eskadra [7 x Lublin R-XIIIKaras, 2 x RWD-8]
- Communications Platoon 3
- 24 Reconnaissance Escadrille
- 2nd Fighter Squadron of the 3rd Air Regiment (III/2)
- 121 Fighter Escadrille [10 x P-11]
- 122 Fighter Escadrille [10 x P-11]
- 23 Observation Escadrille [7 x RWD-14, 2 x RWD-8]
- 26 Observation Escadrille [7 x Lublin R-XIIIKaras, 2 x RWD-8]
Karpatz Army
- Communications Platoon 5
- 31 Reconnaissance Eskadra
- 56 Observation Eskadra [7 x Lublin R-XIIIKaras, 2 x RWD-8]
Narew Independent Operational Group
 |
| 51Eskadra |
- Communications Platoon 9
- 51 Reconnaissance Eskadra
- 151 Fighter Eskadra [10 x P-7]
- 13 Observation Eskadra [7 x RWD-14, 2x RWD-8]
Naval Air Squadron
- Long Range Reconnaissance Eskadra [2 x Lublin P-VIII Floatplanes,1 x Cant 2z06 Floatplane
- Short Range Reconnaissance Eskadra[10 x Lublin R-XIIIKaras, 1 x R-XIII Floatplane
(mostly Wikipedia)
Machines
(note: Polish aircraft that went into action nearly all flew with their peacetime paint schemes as there was no time to paint on camouflage. Only the radio call signs and upper wing markings were painted over. Polish Eskadra used their decorative unit badges to identify aircraft, rather than Squadron letters.
PZL P-11 and P-7
The main defensive weapon of the PAF was the PZL P-11 high gull winged monoplane built by PZL (Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze or State Aviation Works) in their factory in the suburbs of Warsaw. It was of all metal construction, with a stressed metal skin, this made it very robust, and during the early 1930s the P-11 was considered the best fighter aircraft in the world. Its power plant was a Bristol Mercury, air cooled, radial engine, the same one that was used in the Gloucester Gladiator and Bristol Blenheim. Armed with four 7.92mm machine guns and able to carry four 12.5kg bombs under the wings, it still could do a useful job, despite its old fashioned open cockpit, fixed undercarriage and relatively low top speed of 242mph. Aware of the P-11s shortcomings and the threat of war, only a few weeks previously Poland had placed orders for 120 of the more modern French MS406, 14 British Hawker Hurricanes and 100 Fairey Battle light bombers. Needless to say these orders could not be supplied before Poland was overrun.
PZL P-11c
The PAF had 129 P-11s and 20 of the lower powered, 2 x machinegun P-7s (no bomb loadout) deployed on 1st September 1939, with 47 in reserve or being repaired. Most were at dispersal airstrips and prepared for the worst.
PZL.23Karas
The PZL.23Karas was monoplane light bomber with fixed undercarriage and enclosed cockpit. Made from all metal construction with a stressed metal skin it was a sturdy machine. It had a 3 man crew, pilot, bombardier and rear gunner, the bombardier being located in an under-belly gondola where he could both aim the bombs and provide machinegun cover. Powered by a Bristol Pegasus air-cooled, radial engine that were also used in aircraft such as the Fairey Swordfish, Sunderland and Walrus flying-boats, Wellington Bomber, and also the Junkers Ju52. It had a top speed of 198mph with a service ceiling of 24,000ft. The bomb loadout was 700kg (1,500lbs) and armament 3 x 7.92mm machineguns; 1 in wing, 1 rear gunner, 1 underbelly bombardier.
PZL.23Karas
This was an observation, reconnaissance and liaison aircraft and considering the structure and main purpose of the PAF, to support the army in the field, offered little resistance to the Luftwaffe fighters who went looking for them. Necessarily it needed to have short take-off capability and be able to operate from rough landing strips. It was a parasol winged monoplane with a crew of 2 sitting in tandem in an open cockpit, the observer having a 7.92mm machinegun for defence. A sturdy fixed undercarriage gave it the ability to operate from rough terrain. Top speed and service ceiling not known at this time. Several different radial engines were fitted during its production lifetime.
PZL.37Los
A modern twin engine medium bomber with good flying characteristics made the .37Los a potent weapon. Powered by 2 Bristol Pegasus radial engines, this bomber of all metal construction with a stressed metal skin had a top speed of 290mph with a loadout of 2500kg (1000lbs) (higher than the RAF’s Wellington Bomber) but due to its slim shape this would normally be 20 x 110kg bombs since its ability to carry 2 x 300kg + 18 x 110kg bombs was limited both by the lack of availability of the 300kg bombs and the need to work from rough landing fields since all the bombers were dispersed to rural fields before the invasion. The retractable landing gear was able to cope with rough terrain as each strut supported 2 wheels each with independent suspension. In action it was pressed into low level bombing of invading military columns, a task it was not designed for, and since it was deployed mostly in single vics of 3, the attrition to enemy fighters and flak was high. Crewed by 4; Pilot, Commander-bombardier, radio operator and rear gunner; it defended itself with only 3 x 7.92mm machineguns which was far too weak at this stage in aircraft development.
PZL.37Los
RWD-8
The RWD-8 was originally designed as a trainer but was pressed into many roles during the invasion. Of a mixed steel and wood construction with a single canvas and plywood parasol wing which folded backwards for transport and storage, the inline engine of various makes produced 120hp but top speed is unknown at this time. It had 2 cockpits in tandem, each with a full set of controls for training the pilots. Many were destroyed on the ground as they were not sent to dispersal airstrips, having no immediate use in the battle. This gave rise to the myth that the Polish Air Force was all but destroyed on the ground in the first couple of hours of 1st September 1939 and took no part in the battles against the onslaught of German forces. The German propaganda machine used the images of burnt out RWD-8s so effectively that even today most people are unaware of the drubbing that the Luftwaffe received at the hands of the PAF.
RWD-8
Luftwaffe
(Throughout I will use the singular for German units to avoid confusion. i.e One Staffel; two Staffel; albeit incorrect German grammar.)
Men
The Luftwaffe was a thoroughly professional arm of the military services, as you would expect from any of the arms of the German forces in 1939. Many of the flying crew had gained valuable experience in Spain during the Civil War there, and this is often sited as being why the Blitzkrieg succeeded so well against the British and French later. Following the latest research into the Polish campaign, I believe that it was here that the Luftwaffe learned its most valuable lessons, up against a competent, well equipped adversary. The fact that it took six months before they were ready to commence operations in the west was in no short measure due to what is now being revealed as a massive retraining campaign both in the Luftwaffe and the Wehrmacht. Obviously the propaganda could not reveal this, or the fact that such a ‘degenerate Nation as Poland’ was able to resist so well while they had the means. While Poland and Germany both saw their air forces as extensions to the ground battlefield weapons, the Luftwaffe was given complete control of all air operations, and all forces allied to them, including the anti-aircraft units. Their tactics and equipment was superbly designed for this role, so that when, a few years later, they needed to mount a strategic defence of Germany, their equipment and organisations had to try and adapt ‘Blitzkrieg’ designs for the job, and this proved impossible to do.
Organisation
Fighter Units
Rotte = leader + wingman (2 fighter aircraft)
Schwarm = 2 x Rotte (4 fighter aircraft (Flight))
Staffel = 3 x Schwarm (12 fighter aircraft (Squadron)
Bomber Units
Kette = 3 bomber aircraft in vee formation (Flight)
Staffel = 3 x Kette (9 bomber aircraft(Squadron))
Gruppe = 3 x Staffel(36 fighter or 27 bomber aircraft(Group))
Gerschwader = 3 x Gruppe (108 fighter or 81 bomber aircraft(Wing))
Fliegerkorps(Air Corps) = flexible number of Gerschwader + auxiliary units
Luftflotte(Air Fleet) = organisational unit responsible for each Fliegerkorps
Luftflotte were allocated sectors for which they had total responsibility for all flying matters, so as more territory was gained, more Luftflotte were created.
Aircraft Identification
Gerschwader were arranged around a particular task and the abbreviation used was a crucial part in being able to identify individual aircraft.
Units could therefore be identified thus:-
II/JG.11 would identify a Gruppe by using roman numerals at the start.
i.e. II/ indicates 2nd Gruppe and JG.11 indicates Jagdgerschwader 11
At Staffel level identification used all Arabic numbering, i.e. 1/JG.11; 2/JG.11 and 3/JG.11 identifies the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 11
Ground Forces
As mentioned earlier, Luftflotte controlled all aspects of air activity in their sector. In order to achieve a cohesive network to work within, various ground related tasks were also the responsibility of the Luftwaffe.
Flakkorps
The Flakkorps (Anti-aircraft Corps) was rather fluid in make up, changing as circumstances dictated, but the technically correct structure was:-
- Flak-Batterie(Anti-Aircraft Battery) = 4-6 guns*
- Flak-Abeteilung(Anti-Aircraft Battalion) = 3-5 Batteries + Searchlight
- Flak-Regimenter(Anti-Aircraft Regiment) = variable
- Flak-Brigaden(Anti-Aircraft Brigade) = variable
- Flak-Divisionen(Anti-Aircraft Division) = variable
- Flakkorps(Anti-Aircraft Corps) = variable
*Batteries were either
· Leichte (Light) with 20mm or 37mm guns
· Gemischte (Mixed)
· Schwere (Heavy) with 88mm,105mm or 128mm guns
Fallschirmjager (Paratroops)
Fallschirmjger were recruited from Luftwaffe personnel who had completed six parachute jumps. They were formed into 3 Regiments and collectively known as the 7th Flieger Division.
Feldregimenter der Luftwaffe (Air Force Field Regiment)
Used for airfield security duties, particularly in Russia, they were well equipped but not well trained as Field Marshal Goring refused to release them to Army control for training.
Luftwaffe Units used in the Polish Campaign.
Two Luftflotte were used in the Polish campaign; Luftflotte 1 commanded by General der Flieger Kesselring, and Luftflotte 4 commanded by General der Flieger Lohrs.
(The following list is, after hours of searching, comparing and discarding, the most believable. Courtesy of www.ww2.dk/misc/ob1939.htm)
Luftflotte 1 in Stettin-Henningsholm
Gen d Flieger Kesselring
Unit Location C/O Aircraft Roster Serviceable
1.(F)/121
|
Stargard-Klützow
|
ObLt Klinkicht
|
Do 17P/F
|
12
|
10
|
3.(F)/121
|
Stargard-Klützow
|
|
Do 17P/F
|
12
|
7
|
Wekusta 1
|
Stargard
|
ObLt Woyna
|
He 111J
|
3
|
3
|
1. Flieger-Division in Schönfeld/Crössinsee
GenLt Grauert
Stab/KG1
|
Kolberg
|
GenMaj Kessler
|
He 111H
|
9
|
9
|
I./KG1
|
Kolberg
|
ObLt Krauss
|
He 111H
|
38
|
34
|
I./KG152
|
Pinnow-Plathe
|
Maj Kosch
|
He 111H
|
37
|
34
|
Stab/KG26
|
Gabbert
|
GenMaj Sieburg
|
He 111H
|
6
|
5
|
II./KG26
|
Gabbert
|
Maj von Busse
|
He 111H
|
35
|
31
|
I./KG53
|
Schönfeld/Crössinsee
|
Maj von Mahnert
|
He 111H
|
31
|
31
|
II./St.G.2
|
Stolp-Reitz
|
Hptm Schmidt
|
Do 17P
Ju 87B
|
3
35
|
3
34
|
III./St.G.2
|
Stolp-Reitz
|
Hptm Ott
|
Do 17P
Ju 87B
|
3
36
|
3
34
|
IV.(St)/LG1
|
Stolp-Reitz
|
Hptm Kögel
|
Do 17P
Ju 87B
|
3
39
|
3
37
|
4.(St)/186
|
Stolp-West
|
Hptm Blattner
|
Ju 87B
|
12
|
12
|
I./ZG1
|
Mühlen I
|
Maj Huth
|
Me 110C
|
34
|
27
|
|
|
Malzkow (1. Staffel)
Lottin (2. and 3. Staffeln)
|
Hptm Trübenbach
|
Me 109E
|
42
|
33
|
2.(F)/121
|
Schönfeld/Crössinsee
|
Maj Wenz
|
Do 17P/F
|
11
|
10
|
JGr.101 (II./ZG1)
|
Lichtenau
|
Maj Reichardt
|
Me 109E
|
48
|
48
|
Luftwaffenkommando Ostpreussen in Königsberg-Ballith
GenLt Wimmer
Stab/KG3
|
Elbing
|
Ob von Chamier-Glisczinski
|
Do 17Z
|
9
|
7
|
II./KG3
|
Heiligenbeil
|
Maj Munske
|
Do 17Z
|
38
|
36
|
III./KG3
|
Heiligenbeil
|
ObLt Neuhüttler
|
Do 17Z
|
39
|
30
|
I./St.G.1
|
Elbing
|
Hptm Hozzel
|
Do 17P
Ju 87B
|
3
38
|
2
38
|
1.(F)/120
|
Neuhausen
|
Maj Schub
|
Do 17P
|
12
|
11
|
Luftwaffen-Lehrdivision in Gut Wickbold/Jesau
GenMaj Förster
Stab/LG1
|
Neuhausen
|
|
He 111H
|
9
|
8
|
II./LG1
|
Powunden
|
Maj Dobratz
|
He 111H
|
39
|
34
|
III./LG1
|
Prowehren
|
Maj Bormann
|
He 111H
|
39
|
32
|
Stab/KG2
|
Jesau
|
|
Do 17Z
|
9
|
9
|
I./KG2
|
Gerdauen
|
Maj Krahl
|
Do 17M
|
36
|
33
|
II./KG2
|
Schippenbeil
|
ObLt Weitkus
|
Do 17Z
|
39
|
37
|
|
|
Jesau
|
Maj Grabmann
|
Me 110C
|
33
|
32
|
4.(F)/121
|
Jesau
|
Hptm Kerber
|
Do 17P/F
|
12
|
11
|
One of the bomber groups were directly subordinated to Luftflotte 1
Luftgau-Kommando I in Königsberg/Ostpreussen
GenMaj Mußhoff
I./JG1
|
Gutenfeld
|
Maj Woldenga
|
Me 109E
|
46
|
46
|
I./JG21
|
Gutenfeld
|
Hptm Mettig
|
Me 109D
|
39
|
37
|
Luftgau-Kommando III in Berlin
GenLt Weise
Stab/JG2
|
Döberitz
|
ObLt von Massow
|
Me 109E
|
3
|
3
|
I./JG2
|
Döberitz
|
Maj Vieck
|
Me 109E
|
41
|
40
|
10.(N)/JG2
|
Straussberg
|
Hptm Blumensaat
|
Me 109D
|
9
|
9
|
Luftgau-Kommando IV in Dresden
GenMaj Mayer
Stab/JG3
|
Zerbst
|
ObLt Ibel
|
Me 109E
|
3
|
3
|
I./JG3
|
Brandis
|
Maj von Houwald
|
Me 109E
|
44
|
38
|
I./JG20
|
Sprottau
|
Maj Lehmann
|
Me 109E
|
37
|
36
|
Luftflotte 4 in Reihenbach/Schlesien
Gen d Flieger Löhr
3.(F)/123
|
Schweidnitz
|
Hptm Liebe-Piderit
|
Do 17P
|
12
|
12
|
Wekusta 76
|
Schweidnitz
|
Dr. Dubois
|
He 111J
|
3
|
3
|
2. Flieger-Division in Grottkau/Schlesien
GenMaj Loerzer
Stab/KG4
|
Oels
|
|
He 111P
|
6
|
6
|
I./KG4
|
Langenau
|
ObLt Maier
|
He 111P
|
27
|
27
|
II./KG4
|
Oels
|
Maj Erdmann
|
He 111P
|
30
|
30
|
III./KG4
|
Langenau
|
Maj Evers
|
He 111P
|
33
|
32
|
Stab/KG76
|
Breslau-Schöngarten
|
ObLt Schultheiss
|
Do 17Z
|
9
|
9
|
I./KG76
|
Breslau-Schöngarten
|
ObLt Fröhlich
|
Do 17Z
|
36
|
36
|
III./KG76
|
Rosenborn
|
ObLt Zach
|
Do 17Z
|
39
|
39
|
Stab/KG77
|
Grottkau
|
|
Do 17E/F
|
9
|
9
|
I./KG77
|
Brieg
|
Maj Balck
|
Do 17E
|
37
|
37
|
II./KG77
|
Grottkau
|
ObLt Augustin
|
Do 17E
|
39
|
39
|
III./KG77
|
Brieg
|
Ob von Stutterheim
|
Do 17E
|
38
|
34
|
I./St.G.2
|
Nieder-Ellguth
|
Maj Dinort
|
Do 17P
Ju 87B
|
3
38
|
3
37
|
I./ZG76
|
Ohlau
|
Hptm Reinecke
|
Me 110C
|
35
|
31
|
3.(F)/122
|
Woisselsdorf
|
Maj Schneider
|
Do 17P
|
12
|
10
|
Fliegerführer z.b.V. in Oppeln
GenMaj von Richthofen
Stab/St.G.77
|
Neudorf
|
|
Ju 87B
|
3
|
3
|
I./St.G.77
|
Ottmuth
|
Hptm von Dalwigk
|
Do 17P
Ju 87B
|
3
39
|
3
34
|
II./St.G.77
|
Neudorff
|
Hptm von Schönborn
|
Do 17P
Ju 87B
|
3
39
|
3
38
|
I./St.G.76
|
Nieder-Ellguth
|
Hptm Siegel
|
Do 17P
Ju 87B
|
3
36
|
3
28
|
JGr.102 (I./ZG2)
|
Groß-Stein
|
Hptm Gentzen
|
Me 109D
|
45
|
45
|
Stab (J)/LG2
|
Nieder-Ellguth
|
ObLt Baier
|
Me 109E
|
3
|
2
|
II.(S)/LG2
|
Altsiedel
|
Mal Spielvogel
|
Hs 123
|
39
|
39
|
1./F)/124
|
Schloßwalden
|
ObLt Stockhausen
|
Do 17P
|
11
|
10
|
Luftgau-Kommando VIII in Breslau
GenMaj Waber
I./JG76
|
Ottmütz
|
Hptm von Müller-Rienzburg
|
Me 109E
|
51
|
45
|
I./JG77
|
Juliusburg-Nord
|
Hptm Janke
|
M 109E
|
48
|
43
|
Luftgau-Kommando XVII in Wien
Gen d. Flakartillerie Hirschauer
No aircraft
Machines.
The aircraft that had the biggest impact on the public perception during the Polish Campaign was undoubtedly the JunkersJu87 Stuka. (Sturzkampfflugzeug – dive bomber).
Instantly recognisable by its inverted gull wing design, its heavy spatted fixed landing gear and the screaming air siren of early versions, the Ju87 was effective both as a dive bomber able to provide pin point accuracy and as a psychological weapon creating fear and panic behind the immediate front line, thus creating chaos that hampered effective ad-hoc defenses being organised.
The main innovation was the introduction of automatic dive brakes which held the aircraft steady during a dive, enabling the pilot to take accurate aim on his target, and then automatically pull the aircraft out of its dive, even if its crew of two were close to black-out due to the G-forces involved.
Despite having a rear gunner with a 7.92mm machinegun and two wing mounted 7.92mm machineguns the Stuka was vulnerable to fighter attack due to its lack of maneuverability, it was a one trick pony. Top speed flying level was 224mph. Constructed of duralumin, with duralumin sheet covering, it was bolted together to allow for ease of ground transportation and repair, subject as it was to ground fire during its dive on the target. Normal operating height was 4100ft, service ceiling 24,400ft and bomb loadout of 1x 500kg or 1 x 250kg or 4 x 50kg (wing mounted), or a combination of fuselage and wing mounted bombs. It had a normal flying range of 800km.(500mls)
Ju87b Stuka
Messerschmitt Me109e
This was the Luftwaffes main frontline fighter during the early part of the war. Like the British Hawker Hurricane it became limited to the amount of development it could take both in speed and effective service ceiling. Originally designed and built by Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW) (Bavarian Aircraft Works), Messerschmitt took over production in 1938. This explains the Bf prefix sometimes given to Messerschmitt aircraft by authors. Conventional British terminology of the day, and German too, ascribes the aircraft as an Me109e. Some Me109 variants that had flown with the Condor Legion in the Spanish Civil, giving their pilots valuable training. Some older Me109d aircraft were still in service in 1939.(I./JG21::10.(N)/JG2::JGr.102 (I./ZG2)::
Using a fuel injected Daimler-Benz 1100Hp engine gave the Me109e (Emile) a top speed of just under 300mh(470kph) and a service ceiling of 33,000ft. (11,000m). It had a range of about 300mls(480km), which during the standard battlefield conditions that it was designed for, was more than adequate. Climb rate was to 9,000ft(3,000m) in 3.1mins. As well as 2 x 7.92mm MG17 machine-guns, 2 x 20mm MGFF/M cannons were added in the late '30s when Supermarine announced that the newly designed Spitfire was to carry 8 x .303 machine-guns. This gave the Me109e a distinct advantage in fire-power, because one 20mm cannon shell could wreak an incredible amount of damage to an airframe. The fuel injected engine also had an enormous advantage in dogfights, as carburettored engines lost power in Negative-Gee situations, (outside loops and rolls), when the carburettor float was flung upwards and cut the fuel off; which is why many fighter aircraft had to roll over in order to dive down on an enemy below them, until a solution was found later on in the war. Another disadvantage with this aircraft was the narrow set of the undercarriage which made taking off on rough airfields a problem as the whole set up was unstable if you needed to turn sharply or your landing approach was too steep, sometimes unavoidable due to buildings, trees, enemy positions etc.
Messerschmitt Bf109e
Messerschmitt Bf110c "Zerstorer"
The thinking behind the Me110c was described perfectly in its other name, 'Zerstorer' or 'Destroyer' in English. It was to be capable of 'destroying' other aircraft in one pass, thus eliminating the need for complex dog-fights. To this end the two 1100hp Daimler-Benz engines, 1200hp inverted vees on some versions, was able to deliver a top speed of 350mph(562kph) and a service ceiling of 30,000ft(9750m). This at the time outstripped the performance of any aircraft it was likely to meet in combat. Crewed by a 2 man team of pilot and Radio Operator, and armed with 4 x 7.92mm MG17 machine guns and 2 x 20mm cannon in the nose, with 1 x 7.92 MG15 machine gun used by the radio operator for rear protection, this aircraft was both successful and feared during the Polish Campaign. The normal range of 800mls(1300km) could be extended with drop tanks and operationally the Me110c was used as both a free ranging agent and close support for bomber formations. It had a tight turning circle, but slow rate of roll, and this latter defect was its Achilles heel.
Messerschmitt Bf110c
Heinkel He111
The early design of this aircraft was disguised to avoid restrictions imposed on German aviation after the First World War. It started life as a fast passenger airliner in 1934, but when Hitler openly began to resurrect the German Air-force, without interference from the Allied Nations, its reshaping into a high speed bomber was easy to achieve. Using the Junkers Jumo211A-3 1,100hp engines it could achieve a top speed of 250mph,(405kph) and a service ceiling of a little over 24,000ft(8,000m). Climb rate was a respectable 8.5mins to 6,000ft (2,000m) with a loadout of 2,000kg in various bomb configurations, including under-wing and under-belly bomb racks. It was armed with 5 x 7.2mm MG15 machine-guns for defence. By the time WW2 arrived it was beginning to show its age both in speed and service ceiling.
He111
Junkers88
The ability to adapt to many different roles made the Junkers Ju88 one of the most successful medium bombers of the war. Production was started in 1936 and still going on at the wars end in 1945. Initially boasting a top speed of 360mph(560kph), faster than most fighters of the day, German fascination with dive-bombing meant that by the time the extra equipment was added the top speed came down to 280mph(450kph). Due to development problems only 12 aircraft were in service at the opening of hostilities on September 1st 1939 (I./KG25). The 2 x 1,200hp engines gave this aircraft a ceiling of 25,000ft(8140m) with a climb rate of 15,000ft(5,000m) in 18mins. Loadout was a modest 1,000kg and range around 1,130mls(1800km), with defensive armament of 4 x 7.92mm MG81 Machine guns for the crew of 4.
Ju88
Henschell 126
At the begining of hostilities this was the Luftwaffe's main reconnaissance aircraft. Henschel had been awarded the contract to supply light aircraft for army co-ordination and battlefield reconnaissance in 1936 and some of this type flew with the Condor Legion in Spain. The crew of 2, pilot and observer/gunner, were housed in an enclosed cockpit under the parasol wing. Powered by the same BMW 'Bramo' 323 engine as the Do17, it was able to reach speeds of 221mph(356kph) at heights up to 9,850ft(3,000m). It was armed with 1 forward firing MG17, 7.92mm machine-gun and 1 x MG15 machine-gun for the observer. It was also capable of carrying up to 150kg of bombs.
Henschell 126
Junkers Ju52
Perhaps one of the most iconic transport aircraft of WW2, the Ju52 traces its origins to the first all metal aircraft, the Junkers J1 from 1917. After the 1st World War the aircraft was improved and used a steel tubing frame construction on which were bolted corrugated aluminium panels. Although easy to fly and with STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) characteristics, its load carrying capacity hampered its economic viability as a civilian transport plane. The simple solution was to add 2 more engines to the wings and the Ju52 was born. Under this construct it was still flying with military and civil airfleets well into the 1980s. The 3 x BMW 830hp engines gave it a top speed of 165mph(265kph) and carrying capacity of 1,500kg. (185mph(305kph) unladen) Service ceiling was 17,000ft(5490m) and climb rate equal to 15,000ft (3,000m) in 19mins. The crew of 4 had a 7.92mm MG15 and a 13mm MG131 for defence.
Junkers Ju52
Dornier Do17z
Known by thousands who experienced the wrath metered out by this light/medium bomber as 'The Flying Pencil' due to its slim fuselage, the Do17 was a replacement for the bomber version of the Ju52 which was too slow to carry out bombing raids without a heavy fighter escort. The Do17 was developed from aircraft used as high speed mail airliners between the wars. Its crew of 4 were protected by 4 x 7.92 machine-guns and could deliver a bombload of 1,000kgs. Powered by 2 x BMW 323P ' Bramo' engines, the Do17z reached a ceiling altitude of a little under 30,000ft(9,000m) and a top speed of 255mph(410kph). Range was approx. 1,250mls(2,000km) and although used extensively in the Polish Campaign, its shortcomings even then started to become apparent with the Pursuit Brigades P-11s success rate against them. Attrition of the Polish Air Forces' stock of aircraft by other means played a greater role in the survival rate of the Do17z crews.
Henschel Hs123
Despite its apparent obsolete bi-plane design, this aircraft continued in service with arguably the worlds most advanced airforce of the day, right up to 1944, and then only lack of spare parts forced its retirement from the field. Even more surprisingly, Henschel was a locomotive manufacturer and had no history of aircraft design, when it decided to compete for a German Government contract to design and build prototypes of a ground support and dive bombing aeroplane. The 1st prototype flew in 1937 and by 1938 production was under way. Seen as a stop gap while the Ju87 'stuka' was undergoing trials and development. Nevertheless a 1,000 were built and put into service. The intention was to move them into reconnaissance roles when more of the Ju87 became available. In similar fashion to the 'Stuka', the Hs123 could carry 4x50kg bombs on wing racks and a 250kg bomb on a crutch under the fuselage. Armed with 2 x MG17, 7.92mm machine-guns firing through the propeller, it proved adept in disrupting ground elements during a battle. The pilots, by revving their engines at certain settings, could further demoralize troops with the staccato, machine gun like noise that this made. A top speed of 211mph(341kph) and service ceiling of 30,000ft(9,000m) was achieved using a BMW132Dc 9cylinder radial engine which gave 880hp. Range was 298mls(480km) with 200kg of bombs or 533mls(860km) unladen, using a drop tank. The 39 Hs123s assigned to II.(Sch)/LG2 acquitted themselves very well, providing accurate close support to the Army from rough bases just behind the advancing troops.
Henschel Hs123
1st September 1939
Germany invades Poland!
At 0440hrs Units of The Luftwaffe were reported
crossing the German/Polish Border.
UU=Unit Unknown
TU=Time Unknown
0400-0500hrs; Wielun is the first Polish town to be bombed by the Luftwaffe, and is flattened by I./St.G 76 from Nieder-Ellguth flying 29 x Ju87b and (29+?) Ju87b of I./St.G 77 from Ottmuth. (Mistakenly ascribed to I./KG76 flying Do17 from Breslau-Schöngarten in some accounts.) Shortly after 29 x Ju87b of I./St.G 2, from Nieder-Ellguth, also attacked the town according to some reports. This was either an exercise in terror bombing to see what collateral damage could be inflicted with the weapons available; or a raid on Polish Artillery units that went wrong due to ground fog covering the town. Opinion seems to be divided. But ground skirmishes in that area later that day are a Polish success
At 0532hrs, 2nd.Ltn. Stanislaw Skalski and Lt.Marian Pisarek both flying PZL P-11c of 142-III/4 and 141-III/4, shot down a Hs126 reconnaissance aircraft in the area of Torun, Poland. Enemy Unit unknown.
0600hrs; Danzig Harbour; ORP Mazur sunk, ORP Nurek sunk; tug Wanda sunk; ORP General Haller damaged by 30 x Ju87b (UU)
Airfield at Puck (Naval Air Squadron),bombed by 20 Luftwaffe He111,(UU), at 0600hrs destroying ammunition and killing Eskadra personnel.
At 0630hrs Lt.Aleksander Gabszewicz of 113-IV/1(?) and Andrzej Niewiara (?)in P-11c shot down a He111 from KG27 in the Bugo-Narew area.
Airfield at Rumja (Naval Air Squadron), bombed at dawn by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).
Airfield at Grudziadz bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).
Port of Gdynia bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).
Airfield at Torun bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).
Chojnice bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).; ground skirmish here leads to Polish success.
Airfield at Tczew bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).
Plock Airfield bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).
Lodz bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).
Czestochowa bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).
Tomaszow Mazowiecki bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU)..
Krosno bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).
Radom bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).
Biala Podlaska bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).
Katowice airfield bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).; ground skirmish here leads to Polish success
Krakow bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).
Lwow bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).
Brzesc bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).
Terespol bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).
Warsaw bombed by Luftwaffe,(UUTU).
Myszyniec bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).; ground skirmish leads to Polish success
Lublin airfield bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).
Wilna airfield bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).
Kida airfield bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).
Glodno airfield bombed by Luftwaffe, (UUTU).
Cptn. Medwecki, 121-III/1 taking off from Balice in a P-11, is shot down and killed by a Ju87b of St.G2 based at Neider-Ellquth
Lt. Wladyslaw Gnys, 121-III/1 flying a P-11claims a Do17 shot down and a Ju87b damaged(UUTU).
2ndLt.Borowski of 113Esc shoots down a stray Me109e (UU)(poss. 2.JG21)over Warsaw, the 1st Me109 of the war. (UUTU).
During an intercept by 52 aircraft of the Fighter Squadrons of the Pursuit Brigade 6 He111 of KG27 are shot down. The escort of Me110c from I/LG1 shot down Cptn Olszewski of 123-III/1and 3 others from the Eskadra flying P-7. Lt.Col Leopald Pamula claimed 2 x Me109e (1 by ramming) but 3 P-11c were shot down, a P-11 crashed on landing.
At 0900hrs over Zegrze,(N.Warsaw) altitude 4,500m, 2 PZL P.24 (UU) shot down by Me110c of I.(Z)LG1 from Gutenfeld Afld. See note at bottom of page
At about 1300hrs Wielan is again bombed by Ju87b of I./St.G76 from Nieder-Ellguth.
At about 1500hrs Wielan is again bombed by I./St.G 77 flying 60(?) x Ju87b from Ottmuth. (I./St.G 77 only had 36 x Ju87b on its roster so my guess is that both I./St.G 77 and II./St.G77 from Neudorff were involved)
At 1630hrs, near Modlin, Lt. Aleksander Gabszewicz in P-11c,of 113-IV/1(?)shot down and wounded, (UU) (Possibly JG21), while attacking a force of 40+ bombers (UU) and 20+ Me109e and Me110c (See next, could be same action)
At 1630hrs Cpt.Mieczyslaw Olszewski of 123 Eskadra flying a P-11c is shot down near Legionow, as are 3 other P-11 by units of I./LG1 in Me110c escorting He111 bombers.
At 1655hrs over Warsaw 2 x PZL P.24 ((UU) shot down by Me109d of 1./JG21(JG54) from Gutenfeld Afld.
At 1708hrs, over Warsaw 2 x PZL P.24 (UU) shot down by Me109d of 2./JG21 (JG54)from Gutenfeld Afld.
At 1710hrs, over Warsaw, a PZL-P.24 (UU) shot down by Me109d of 2./JG21 (JG54) from Gutenfeld Afld.
At 1710hrs over Marklowice, 2 x PZL P.24 (UU) shot down by 3/JG21 (JG54) from Gutenfeld Afld.
At1710hrs, 1,500-2,00m alt. over Warsaw, 6 x PZL P.24 (UU) shot down by I.(Z)LG1, Me110c from Jesau Afld.
At 1719hrs, a PZL P.24 (UU) shot down north of Warsaw, by Me109d of 3/JG21 (JG54) from Gutenfeld Afld.
(TU) ppor.Palusinski in a P-11 from 111 Eskadra out of Zeilonki claims 2 x Me110c
2nd Lt.pil.Daszewski in a P-11 from 112 Eskadra out of Zeilonki claims a Ju87b over Warsaw.(UUTU)
por.pil Okrzeja of 112 Eskadra in a P-11from Zeilonka claims a Hs86, Warsaw area. (UUTU) I can only find circumstantial evidence that Hs86 (an unsuccessful bomber design, which kept crashing and killing the pilots) were still in use at this time, usually thought to be with transport units. (but see next entry, it may have been a Do17 as well)
por.pil Okrzeja of 112 Eskadra in a P-11from Zeilonka claims a Do17, Warsaw area.(UUTU)
(TU) Raid by Ju87b on Navy at Hel, no collateral damage. (UU)
161-III/6 in the Lodz Area flying PZL P-11c are unable to make contact with Luftwaffe intruders despite several sorties.
RAF Voluntary Reserve and The Auxiliary Air Force mobilised in Britain.
ppor Tadeusz Wilhelm Kowalewski of 121 Eskadra, flying out of Balice, shoots down 2x Do17 near Zurada in his P-11 (TUUU)
plut Leopold Flanek of 121 Eskadra, flying out of Balice in a P-11, damages a Ju87b over Kety (TUUU)
kpr Jan Kremski shot down a Ju87b over Cieszyn (TUUU) in his 121 Eskadra P-11 based at Balice.
kpt.pilot Frey from 114 Eskadra, shot down a He111 (UUTU) and pilots from 113 Eskadra damaged 2 more.
Norway declares itself Neutral
Finland declares itself Neutral
Denmark declares itself Neutral
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(Times are all approximate based on logbooks or personal remembrance of participants, or their close relatives from stories told to them)
(UU) = Unit Unknown At This Time and will be updated as information becomes available.
All aircraft are noted as singular to avoid confusion, (i.e. 1 x Me110c; 2 x Me110c; not 2 x Me110cs etc. This does not necessarily mean the same aircraft is involved , just the same action.
Due to the fact that Luftwaffe pilots used German versions of Polish town names, more research needed to identify Luftwaffe targets, bearing in mind that Polish Eskadra were at secret dispersal airfields and many of these were not targeted.
P-24
German pilots claimed to be shooting down a lot of P-24 aircraft during the first couple of days of the Polish Campaign. This is impossible because the P-24 was a replacement for the P-11 and only one partially completed prototype existed. It did sport the same high gull-wing profile, so perhaps their intelligence was not too good, or perhaps they convinced themselves that they were facing a modern variant, given the amount of effort it took to shoot them down!
