Sturzkampfgeschwader 2
Encyclopedia
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. The wing was raised to gruppe status in 1939.
, II. Group in Stolp-Reitt and III. Group in Langensalza
. On 18 October 1943 it was renamed to Schlachtgeschwader 2
.
StG 2 flew operations in the Polish Campaign, the Battle of France
, and the Battle of Britain
. In 1941 it saw service in the Balkans Campaign, and on the Eastern Front
.
For most of its service II./StG 2 was detached from the main Geschwader and operated as an independent formation.
On 12 January 1942 II gruppe was redesignated as III./StG 3 and a new wing raised.
While III gruppe continued to fly the Junkers Ju 87 until the end of the war, II gruppe continued to fly the Junkers Ju 87 until March 1944, when two of the unit's staffeln were converted to independent tank destroyer squadrons; 10(Pz) SG3 and 77.
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...
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. The wing was raised to gruppe status in 1939.
History
Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann" was formed on 1 May 1939, I. Group in CottbusCottbus
Cottbus is a city in Brandenburg, Germany, situated around southeast of Berlin, on the River Spree. As of , its population was .- History :...
, II. Group in Stolp-Reitt and III. Group in Langensalza
Bad Langensalza
Bad Langensalza is a city in the County of Unstrut-Hainich, Thuringia, Germany, with a population of c. 18,500 .-History:...
. On 18 October 1943 it was renamed to Schlachtgeschwader 2
Schlachtgeschwader 2
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....
.
StG 2 flew operations in the Polish Campaign, the Battle of France
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
, and the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
. In 1941 it saw service in the Balkans Campaign, and on 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...
.
For most of its service II./StG 2 was detached from the main Geschwader and operated as an independent formation.
On 12 January 1942 II gruppe was redesignated as III./StG 3 and a new wing raised.
While III gruppe continued to fly the Junkers Ju 87 until the end of the war, II gruppe continued to fly the Junkers Ju 87 until March 1944, when two of the unit's staffeln were converted to independent tank destroyer squadrons; 10(Pz) SG3 and 77.
Kommodore
- Oberstleutnant Oskar DinortOskar DinortOskar Dinort was a German World War II Luftwaffe Stuka pilot and first Stuka pilot to be awarded the coveted Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves...
, 15 October 1939 - Oberstleutnant Paul-Werner HozzelPaul-Werner HozzelPaul-Werner Hozzel was a German World War II Luftwaffe Stuka pilot and the first pilot of that type of plane to be awarded with the coveted Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.- Military career :...
, 16 October 1941 - Oberst Dr. Ernst KupferErnst KupferOberst Dr. Ernst Kupfer was a German World War II Luftwaffe Stuka ace. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
, 13 February 1943 - 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...
, 10 September 1943
I./StG 2
- Major Oskar DinortOskar DinortOskar Dinort was a German World War II Luftwaffe Stuka pilot and first Stuka pilot to be awarded the coveted Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves...
, 1 May 1939 - Hauptmann Hubertus HitschholdHubertus HitschholdHubertus Hitschhold 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...
, 1 October 1939 - Major Bruno DilleyBruno DilleyBruno Dilley 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...
, 15 October 1941 - 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 Bauer, 23 November 1944
III./StG 2
- Hauptmann Heinrich BrückerHeinrich BrückerHeinrich Brücker was a highly decorated Hauptmann in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and 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 May 1939 - Hauptmann Ernst-Siegfried SteenErnst-Siegfried SteenErnst-Siegfried Steen was a highly decorated Oberleutnant 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 August 1941 - Hauptmann Gustav Preßler, 1 October 1941
- Hauptmann Walter KraußWalter KraußWalter Krauß 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...
, 1 April 1943 - Hauptmann 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...
, 19 July 1943 - Hauptmann Lothar Lau, 1 August 1944
- Major Müller, 23 January 1945
10. (Pz)/StG 2
- Oberleutnant Helmut Schübel, 17 June 1943
- Leutnant of the Reserve 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