Schlachtgeschwader 2
Encyclopedia
Schlachtgeschwader 2 Immelmann was a Luftwaffe
Dive bomber
-wing
of World War II
. It was named after Max Immelmann
,the first German pilot to earn the Pour le Mérite
.
This close-support Stuka unit fought principally in the southern sector of the Eastern Front in places like Stalingrad and the Caucasus
. The early two Schlachtgeschwader 1 and 2 were abbreviated SchlG, the reformed Stukageschwader in 1943 were abbreviated SG. The 4 SchlG Gruppen were integrated into the former Stuka- (StG) and Schnellkampfgeschwader (SKG) to form SG 2, 4, 77 and 10.
. I./SG 2 was I./StG 2, II./SG 2 was created from the II./Schlachtgeschwader 1
, III./SG 2 was II./StG 2.
In 1941, Stukageschwader 2 was transferred to the Eastern Front
. On 26 June 1941, Stuka Geschwader 2 attacked 60 Soviet tanks south of Grodno, and later discovered that only one T-34 had been knocked out. During the rest of 1941 and 1942, the inadequacy of dive-bombing tanks became more evident. The most effective way to assault tanks from the air would appear with SG 2 in 1943.
On 23 September 1941, StG 2 attacked the Russian Baltic Fleet docked in Kronstadt
harbour. During the attack, Oblt. Rudel crippled the Russian Battleship Marat with a 1000 kg bomb.
In late 1942, a Panzerjäger Staffel was formed within StG 2, which enjoyed such success that, after October 1943, a similar unit was added to each Stuka Geschwader. During the spring of 1943 SG 2 worked up with modified Ju87 G-1 'tank-busters' armed with two Rheinmetall-Borsig 37mm Flak 18 guns mounted under each wing. Prototypes were first used against Russian landing craft in the Black Sea area. In March 1943 Rudel knocked out the first tank with the new Stuka.
The Ju87 G-2, based on the Ju87 D-5 with extended wingtips, replaced the Ju87 G-1 during 1944. This was a dedicated tank-buster, with no secondary dive-bombing role.
On 14 April 1943, Rudel was awarded the Oakleaves to his Knights Cross. SG 2 developed new tank-assault tactics, having found the best way to destroy tanks was to attack them from the rear or flanks.
Stab, I. and II. Gruppe SchlG 2, which was a completely different Geschwader and should have its own wiki page, all saw service over Tunisia
, with all component Gruppen and Stab operating Bf 109E and F Jabo (fighter-bomber) versions. SchlG 2 later mostly formed SG 4.
While II./SG 2, formerly II./SchlG 1, had been equipped with Focke Wulf Fw 190 since late 1942, I./SG 2 was converted to the new machine in June 1944. III./SG 2 kept on flying the outdated Junkers Ju 87
until the end of World War II.
By early 1944 II./SG 2 was covering the gradual Wehrmacht withdrawal around Kirovograd with II./JG 52.
As one of only two FW-190 equipped ground-attack gruppen on the Eastern Front, II./SG 2 was heavily involved in the 6-month Crimean campaign during 1944, and in addition to its usual ground-attack work flew numerous interception sorties, claiming some 247 Soviet aircraft shot down. Leutnant August Lambert
claimed some 70 kills during one 3 week period.
By May 1944 the depleted II./SG 2 retired to Romania
.
By April 1945 Stab and II./SG 2 were based at Kummer, in northern Bohemia, while I./SG 2 was in Austria, and III./SG 2 near Prague. SG 2 had , despite little fuel and few aircraft, continued to support ground forces retreating in the east but by 8 May 1945, facing capture by the Soviets, Kommodore Oberst Rudel and his unit decided to try to reach the West to surrender to the Western Allies.
While a truck convoy would travel west with the unit's personnel, Rudel led three Ju 87s and four FW 190s westwards and landed safely at the USAAF airfield at Kitzingen
. The ground column was later attacked and destroyed with few survivors.
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
Dive bomber
Dive bomber
A dive bomber is a bomber aircraft that dives directly at its targets in order to provide greater accuracy for the bomb it drops. Diving towards the target reduces the distance the bomb has to fall, which is the primary factor in determining the accuracy of the drop...
-wing
Wing (air force unit)
Wing is a term used by different military aviation forces for a unit of command. The terms wing, group or Staffel are used for different-sized units from one country or service to another....
of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was named after Max Immelmann
Max Immelmann
Max Immelmann was the first German World War I flying ace. He was a great pioneer in fighter aviation and is often mistakenly credited with the first aerial victory using a synchronized gun...
,the first German pilot to earn the Pour le Mérite
Pour le Mérite
The Pour le Mérite, known informally as the Blue Max , was the Kingdom of Prussia's highest military order for German soldiers until the end of World War I....
.
This close-support Stuka unit fought principally in the southern sector of the Eastern Front in places like Stalingrad and the Caucasus
Caucasus
The Caucasus, also Caucas or Caucasia , is a geopolitical region at the border of Europe and Asia, and situated between the Black and the Caspian sea...
. The early two Schlachtgeschwader 1 and 2 were abbreviated SchlG, the reformed Stukageschwader in 1943 were abbreviated SG. The 4 SchlG Gruppen were integrated into the former Stuka- (StG) and Schnellkampfgeschwader (SKG) to form SG 2, 4, 77 and 10.
History
Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann" was formed on 18 October 1943 from Sturzkampfgeschwader 2Sturzkampfgeschwader 2
Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 Immelmann was a Luftwaffe Dive bomber-wing of World War II. It was named after Max Immelmann in 1939.The unit was originally formed as Fliegergruppe Schwerin in 1934; the first Stuka wing of its type, attaining the sobriquet 'Immelmann' in 1935...
. I./SG 2 was I./StG 2, II./SG 2 was created from the II./Schlachtgeschwader 1
Schlachtgeschwader 1
Schlachtgeschwader 1 was a Luftwaffe ground- attack wing of World War II. The early two Schlachtgeschwader 1 and 2 were abbreviated SchlG, the reformed Stukageschwader in 1943 were abbreviated SG.-History:...
, III./SG 2 was II./StG 2.
In 1941, Stukageschwader 2 was transferred to the Eastern Front
Eastern Front (World War II)
The Eastern Front of World War II was a theatre of World War II between the European Axis powers and co-belligerent Finland against the Soviet Union, Poland, and some other Allies which encompassed Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe from 22 June 1941 to 9 May 1945...
. On 26 June 1941, Stuka Geschwader 2 attacked 60 Soviet tanks south of Grodno, and later discovered that only one T-34 had been knocked out. During the rest of 1941 and 1942, the inadequacy of dive-bombing tanks became more evident. The most effective way to assault tanks from the air would appear with SG 2 in 1943.
On 23 September 1941, StG 2 attacked the Russian Baltic Fleet docked in Kronstadt
Kronstadt
Kronstadt , also spelled Kronshtadt, Cronstadt |crown]]" and Stadt for "city"); is a municipal town in Kronshtadtsky District of the federal city of St. Petersburg, Russia, located on Kotlin Island, west of Saint Petersburg proper near the head of the Gulf of Finland. Population: It is also...
harbour. During the attack, Oblt. Rudel crippled the Russian Battleship Marat with a 1000 kg bomb.
In late 1942, a Panzerjäger Staffel was formed within StG 2, which enjoyed such success that, after October 1943, a similar unit was added to each Stuka Geschwader. During the spring of 1943 SG 2 worked up with modified Ju87 G-1 'tank-busters' armed with two Rheinmetall-Borsig 37mm Flak 18 guns mounted under each wing. Prototypes were first used against Russian landing craft in the Black Sea area. In March 1943 Rudel knocked out the first tank with the new Stuka.
The Ju87 G-2, based on the Ju87 D-5 with extended wingtips, replaced the Ju87 G-1 during 1944. This was a dedicated tank-buster, with no secondary dive-bombing role.
Stab, I. and II. Gruppe SchlG 2, which was a completely different Geschwader and should have its own wiki page, all saw service over Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
, with all component Gruppen and Stab operating Bf 109E and F Jabo (fighter-bomber) versions. SchlG 2 later mostly formed SG 4.
While II./SG 2, formerly II./SchlG 1, had been equipped with Focke Wulf Fw 190 since late 1942, I./SG 2 was converted to the new machine in June 1944. III./SG 2 kept on flying the outdated Junkers Ju 87
Junkers Ju 87
The Junkers Ju 87 or Stuka was a two-man German ground-attack aircraft...
until the end of World War II.
By early 1944 II./SG 2 was covering the gradual Wehrmacht withdrawal around Kirovograd with II./JG 52.
As one of only two FW-190 equipped ground-attack gruppen on the Eastern Front, II./SG 2 was heavily involved in the 6-month Crimean campaign during 1944, and in addition to its usual ground-attack work flew numerous interception sorties, claiming some 247 Soviet aircraft shot down. Leutnant August Lambert
August Lambert
August Lambert was a former dive-bomber and ground attack pilot who became a Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II.-Career:An experienced pilot with II./SG 2, the unit was heavily involved in Crimean campaign during early-mid...
claimed some 70 kills during one 3 week period.
By May 1944 the depleted II./SG 2 retired to Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
.
By April 1945 Stab and II./SG 2 were based at Kummer, in northern Bohemia, while I./SG 2 was in Austria, and III./SG 2 near Prague. SG 2 had , despite little fuel and few aircraft, continued to support ground forces retreating in the east but by 8 May 1945, facing capture by the Soviets, Kommodore Oberst Rudel and his unit decided to try to reach the West to surrender to the Western Allies.
While a truck convoy would travel west with the unit's personnel, Rudel led three Ju 87s and four FW 190s westwards and landed safely at the USAAF airfield at Kitzingen
Kitzingen
Kitzingen is a town in the German state of Bavaria, capital of the district Kitzingen. It is part of Franconia geographical region and has around 21,000 inhabitants.Surrounded by vineyards, Kitzingen County is the largest wine producer in Bavaria...
. The ground column was later attacked and destroyed with few survivors.
Kommodore
- Oberstleutnant Hans-Karl SteppHans-Karl SteppHans-Karl Stepp was a German World War II Luftwaffe Stuka ace.For a list of Luftwaffe ground attack aces see List of German World War II Ground Attack aces He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
, 18 October 1943 – 31 July 1944 - Oberstleutnant Hans-Ulrich RudelHans-Ulrich RudelHans-Ulrich Rudel was a Stuka dive-bomber pilot during World War II and a member of the Nazi party. The most highly decorated German serviceman of the war, Rudel was one of only 27 military men to be awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, and the only...
, 1 August 1944 – 8 February 1945 - Major Friedrich LangFriedrich LangMajor Friedrich Lang was a German World War II Luftwaffe Stuka ace.For a list of Luftwaffe ground attack aces see List of German World War II Ground Attack aces He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
(acting), 9 February 1945 – 13 March 1945 - Oberstleutnant Kurt KuhlmeyKurt KuhlmeyKurt Kuhlmey was one of the most famous Stuka pilots of World War II. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross in July 1942....
(acting), 14 March 1945 – 20 April 1945 - Oberst Hans-Ulrich RudelHans-Ulrich RudelHans-Ulrich Rudel was a Stuka dive-bomber pilot during World War II and a member of the Nazi party. The most highly decorated German serviceman of the war, Rudel was one of only 27 military men to be awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, and the only...
, April 1945 – 8 May 1945
I./SG 2
- Hauptmann Alwin BoerstAlwin BoerstMajor Alwin Boerst was a German World War II Luftwaffe Stuka ace.For a list of Luftwaffe ground attack aces see List of German World War II Ground Attack aces He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
, 1 November 1943 - Hauptmann Kurt Lau, 1 May 1944
- Hauptmann Herbert BauerHerbert Bauer (pilot)Herbert Bauer was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or...
, 23 November 1944
II./SG 2
- Hauptmann Werner DörnbrackWerner DörnbrackWerner Dörnbrack was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or...
, 18 October 1943 – 30 June 1944 - Major Heinz FrankHeinz FrankHeinz Frank was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or...
, 30 June 1944 – 29 July 1944 - Major Karl KennelKarl KennelKarl Kennel was a German World War II Luftwaffe ground attack pilot and flying ace. He flew 957 combat missions and is credited with 34 victories, including 3 on the Western front.For a list of Luftwaffe ground attack aces see List of German World War II Ground Attack aces-Awards:* Iron Cross 2nd...
, 29 July 1944 – 8 May 1945
III./SG 2
- Major Hans-Ulrich Rudel, 19 July 1943
- Hauptmann Lothar Lau, 1 August 1944 - 22 January 1945
- Hauptmann Dr. Hans Müller, 12 February 1945 - 8 May 1945
10. (Pz)/SG 2
- Oberleutnant Helmut Schübel, 17 June 1943
- Leutnant d.R. Anton KorolAnton KorolAnton Korol was a highly decorated Oberfeldwebel in the Luftwaffe during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership...
, 1 September 1944