Recent efforts of the Luftwaffe
In early November 1942 the situation on the Eastern front, including ive southern Volga region, has remained stable. In Voronezh, on the Don, in the passes of the Caucasus mountain range, in the valley of the Terek and Kalmykia battles were fought with varying success. Most of Stalingrad was in the hands of the Germans, but the remains of the 62 th Army still stubbornly defended the bridgehead on the east bank of the Volga.
Winter has already begun in the Northern Volga region, increasing confidence comes into its own in the south. Meteorologist squadron KG55 «Greif" Friedrich Fobst with voltage studied the latest data on weather changes on the East European Plain: "We experienced a favorable summer and autumn, the Luftwaffe dominated in the air. Therefore, with increasing concern, we were waiting for the coming period, the weather, which was destined to become an ally of Russian - we have something in this case, the wings were tied. "
Since November 4 over a wide area began to occur to changing weather conditions. Stretching from the Adriatic Sea to the Ural Mountains region under the influence of high pressure moving from the west anticyclone was pushed and broke in two. As a result of flow of arctic air surged southward. 7 November chill reached the bend of the Don, and November 8, the thermometer at the airport in Morozov, where the headquarters of the KG55 «Greif," suddenly fell to - 15 ° C. Because of the periodic fog in those days had to cancel some flights. November 9 at Stalingrad hit real frost of -18 ° C
In such circumstances, the 6th Army was preparing for the last cast of the Volga. At this point, the command of the 4th Air Force made another rearrangement of their meager forces. Tatsinskaya returned to the airfield Group 1 and part of the third squadron of KG51 «Edelweiss», and Morozov again relocated "Heinkel" from I./KG55. Reports of aerial reconnaissance showed continuous movement of Soviet forces in the direction of Stalingrad, as well as a dangerous concentration of tanks and infantry on the bridgeheads in the Don and in the Kalmyk steppe. All clearly visible threat to the stretched flanks of Army Group "B".
In these circumstances, the German bombers were ordered to attack enemy troop concentrations, as well as roads leading to Stalingrad. KG27 squadron in full force five times raided Astrakhan highway - Stalingrad, in which continuous columns were moving Soviet troops, and at night, "Heinkel" dropped bombs on the island Sarpinskiy on the Volga. Simultaneously, the "pieces" of StG2 bombed crossing the Volga, the position of the Soviet 62nd Army, and regularly destroyed the bridges over the Don in Kletskaia. Ju-88 from the 1st and 51th bomber squadrons continued to attack the railway Astrakhan - Urbach.
For 4 and 5 November, German dive bombers made several massive raids on the village Beketovka and Stalingrad hydroelectric power station, throwing them around 200 weapons of all calibres. As a result, the station body was completely destroyed, severe damage received almost all units, underground utilities, water and oil pipelines, communication lines. The boiler number 4 in a direct hit bombs SC500 was completely destroyed and turned into a pile of twisted metal. Killed 22 people, including nine Red Army soldiers who were guarding the facility. After that StalGRES was finally completely out of order.
At 06.30 Moscow time on November 11 after a short air raid six divisions and five sapper battalion Wehrmacht moved into another attack. The main blow was delivered by the factory buildings in the direction of the shore of the Volga. Soldiers of the 179th Engineer Battalion reinforced and undermined the angle of open-hearth furnace number 4 factory "Red October", broke into the building. Neighboring strike force backed by tanks attacked in circumvention of the plant, in the direction of the destroyed oil storage tanks. By evening, the German machine gunners appeared on the shore, but in the course of a fierce counter-attack was repulsed. However, two kilometers upstream of the enemy have been able to reach the Volga and to gain a foothold there.
In this context, where the front line ran zigzag through the city streets in hundreds of meters from the river, air support was a matter of jewelry. "Pieces" for a long time circling above the ruins, and only when the pilot clearly recognize the target, attack aircraft broke into a dive and with a howl went to his goal. Then, as always, a blast and a huge cloud of smoke, fire and dust. Hans-Ulrich Rudel recalled these departures: "In our photographs taken from the air, was clearly visible every home. The goal allocated to each pilot is marked with a red arrow. We flew, still holding a card from the hand. We were strictly forbidden to drop bombs before the target will be reliably recognized, and the location of our troops will be clearly seen. "
However, overall support for the Luftwaffe at this time was much smaller than usual, so the offensive soon ran out of steam. Soviet troops were also faced with new challenges. November 11 on the Volga at Stalingrad came the ice. They quickly covered the mouth of vital importance. Akhtuba. On the river by a continuous stream of ice floated. Now the main supply base for the 62nd Army had moved to the village. Cuff.
In view of these circumstances, vessels even more complicated. Now ships with soldiers, provisions and ammunition had at night, dodging ice floes and are constantly under fire, to travel long distances. Tumakado from the factory "Red October" was 22 miles away and Spartanovka, north of Stalingrad, where the group has defended Colonel SF Gorohova - 32 km. Some ships were unable to return to the base before dawn, when they had all day to stand at the western coast, where they are separated from the front line just a few ruins.
Hitler could not come to terms with the fact that the Wehrmacht was not able to fully take Stalingrad, although nine-tenths of the city were already in his hands. November 17, he signed an order number 4640/42 "On the breakthrough to the Volga at Stalingrad", addressed to the command of the 6th Army, which, inter alia, stated: "I expect that the leadership once again with all the energy that it has been repeatedly demonstrated and troops from the art they were often, will do anything to get through to the Volga, at least at the ordnance plant and steel plant and capture those parts of the city. "
Aviation was to once again strike at the ruins on the shore. However, at the moment when Hitler signed his order, the weather gradually winding down active Luftwaffe. Meteorologist squadron KG55 «Greif" Friedrich Fobst at the airport in the Morozov recorded the horror occurring weather changes. Bubble cold, burst through the Don, was clearly not ready for a new onslaught of the masses of moist and warm air from the area of Iceland. And in the 50th latitude, the one on which there was Stalingrad, between the Volga and the Don, formed a mixed weather zone width of 300 km. And that meant only one thing: a thick fog, intermittent snow and rain, ice on the runways and instantly crusted ice planes.
But a few days of good weather at the disposal of the Luftwaffe was still. And they took advantage of the last opportunity to deliver effective blows. November 15 at 09:00 am, local time, the German bombers flew a massive raid on the station Ahtuba. As a result of direct hits on the tracks exploded several trainloads of ammunition, and a terrible echo of explosions rolled several times on snow-covered steppe. Then at the station and in the town there was a huge fire, blazing up the next night. Some bombs have exploded 16noyabrya. As a result, traffic on the rail line ferry - Volodymyrivka was completely paralyzed for two days. But it was the last major success of the German Air Force.
In general offensive during the Battle of Stalingrad ended in complete victory for the Luftwaffe. The loss of the Soviet Air Force in the period from July 17 to November 18, 1942 amounted to 2,063 aircraft, which is about ten times higher than the German losses. However, in the southern Volga region unending stream of new and re-formed regiments, consisting mostly of inexperienced pilots.
Air Battle over the Volga 11/42
Re: Air Battle over the Volga 11/42
URANUS
By mid-November 1942 at the direction of Stalingrad is the largest one, according to German standards, the air forces:
- Eight bomber groups: I. and III./KG1, I. and part II./KG51, 1. and II./KG55, as well as KG27 at full strength;
- Three assault groups: II. / StGl, I. and II./StG2;
- Four squadrons in direct support of the troops: Stab., 3,6, 7h8./Sc1i.G1.
At the same time, the 76th Bomber Squadron ever left the Eastern Front, was relocated from Armavir on the Mediterranean Sea. In Russia there were only a few crews from its membership. Luftwaffe fighter aircraft at Stalingrad still consisted of a squadron JG3 «Udet".
While all of these forces have a total of 330 aircraft were in good condition 127 twin-engine bombers, 67 ground attack aircraft and 64 fighters. In addition, as part of the 4th Air Force had 16 squadrons near intelligence, had 38 combat-ready aircraft "Focke-Wulf» FW-189 and 12 "Messerschmitt» Bf-software. Further exploration of the entire southern part of the Soviet-German front were only three squadrons - 3. (F) / Aufkl.Gr.lO, 3. (F) / Aufkl.Gr.l21 and 4. (F) / Aufkl.Gr.l22 , located fourteen serviceable Ju-88D.
At the same time the Soviet 8th, 16th, 17th Air Army and the part assigned to them the forces of the 2nd Air Army, and the 102nd Air Defense IBP had a total 1,916 combat aircraft, of which 1360, in t . h 519 fighters were in good condition. Thus, the numerical superiority of the Soviet Air Force was 4.5:1.
In the night from 18 to 19 November in the Southern Volga established non-flying weather - thick clouds and heavy snow with near zero visibility. Back in the 7:00 am all was quiet. On extensive Don front from Voronezh to Kachalin was silence. Hungarian, Italian and Romanian soldiers, wrapped in warm clothes and scratching of lice bites, sleeping in mud huts, and only patrols were freezing in their positions in the trenches. Above the black strip of the river periodically rocket taking off, illuminating the rough, pitted with craters and trenches shells steppe. Further east, in Stalingrad, as calm prevailed. And at this moment for the Wehrmacht crisis erupted. At 07.30 Moscow time (05.30 in on Berlin) November 19, Soviet troops launched "Operation Uranus". After a prolonged artillery barrage, 5th Panzer Army and the 21th Army, having broken through the front moved into the Romanian defense.
At that time, some 150 km to the south-west, at the airport in the squadron KG27 Millerovo, non-commissioned officer Ludwig Denz was ordered, despite the bad weather conditions, to carry out air reconnaissance to determine what is happening on the Romanian positions. Soon camouflaged in winter colors "Heinkel" has rolled down the runway, creaking wheels in the fresh snow. Climbing up into the sky, the plane flew to Don through solid clouds. Behind the glass canopy could not see anything, and the navigator Ludwig Hafighorst guided only by instruments. Then the clouds began to dissipate, the bottom seemed to snow-covered steppe.
Then the eyes of pilots appeared a terrible sight. They saw a huge column of Soviet forces: tanks, infantry, armored vehicles and trucks in many places crossed the river and moved to the south and south-east. Radio operator immediately began to report what they saw to the headquarters squadron. It was obvious that the Russian began a large-scale offensive. Soon bomber returned Millerovo, where the crew has verbally reported to his superiors about the results of exploration.
Squadron commander, Baron von Best reacted immediately. Half an hour II./KG27 planes took off to attack the Soviet forces had broken through. However, due to poor visibility, "Heinkel" were forced to drop bombs from low altitude, actually playing the role of attack aircraft, while being long in strong anti-aircraft fire. As a result, seven bombers shot down immediately! Such a huge loss for the group did not know the whole period of the Battle of Stalingrad. No-111 Ludwig Denz also received a lot of damage, but still was able to return to the airfield. Then the plane mechanic counted 151 bullet hole.
However, these heroic efforts could not stop the powerful and rapid Soviet advance, and the morning of November 20 Russian tanks occupied the city Perelazovsky. And it was already deep in the German rear, just 60 km from the headquarters of the 8th Air Corps Luftwaffe, who was at that time in the village Oblivsky! There, while in his bunker, surrounded by maps, Lieutenant General Fiebig [133] studied the neuro recent reports. Soon received information that the army of the Stalingrad Front, striking from the area lakes and Sarpa Swell, attacked the positions of the 4th Romanian Army, drawing her to flee. At the same time a foothold in the area went on the offensive Kletskaia 65th Soviet Army.
She flew towards the Ju-87 of StG2. Among them was the "Junkers" by Hans-Ulrich Rudel. Soon down in the snow-covered steppes he saw fleeing in panic Romanian troops threw down their rifles and guns. Further to the north of the column headed wide of the Soviet infantry. "I ruthlessly dropped bombs on the enemy column, and my guns spat out a jet of hot lead in the endless yellow-green waves of attacking infantry, who poured upon us from Asia and the Mongolian steppes. I used up all the ammo, leaving no one, even to protect against a possible Russian attack fighters "- later recalled Rudel.
Shots on Soviet tank columns and inflicted "Henschel" an assault Air Group I. / Sch.Gl Major Alfred Drushelya. Even participated in the attack biplanes Hs-123. Despite the bad weather, the command of the 8th Air Corps was thrown against the advancing all the available forces. The most experienced pilots of six bomber and three assault groups, decide to take off when visibility is about 100 m, continuously attacked the Soviet forces, incurring heavy losses. Only 5 Squadron of KG27 for days lost six "Heinkels" (60% of regular number!), Who had been shot down or written off due to severe damage. November 20 during a combat sortie to attack Soviet troops was shot down south of Stalingrad Not-111 Chief Sergeant Major Karl Lippa of II./KG55, who was killed while on board the group commander, Major Hans-Joachim Gabriel.
Tellingly, the Soviet air force because of bad weather these days is almost inactive. However, by 22 November 0600 the vanguard of the 26th Panzer Corps, consisting of five T-34 tanks and three armored vehicles broke deep into the rear of the German 6th Army at the bank of the Don near Kalach. As a result, the Soviet troops were able to capture a large bend in the river near airfields scouts Luftwaffe. In their hands were as by aircraft, and staffs with valuable intelligence. Major storm troopers Hichholda miraculously managed to escape from the airfield Tusov from under the noses of the enemy.
Divisions and consolidated Wehrmacht troops in many places desperate counterattack the enemy, but, regardless of losses, paving the way through the minefields of thousands of corpses penalty box, the Soviet troops stubbornly went ahead and by the end of November 23 closed the encirclement. Create a critical situation forced the German pilots to make five - ten flights a day, attacking the enemy here and there. It was November 25th Lieutenant Rudel set a world record, having made during the day for their "pieces" 17 sorties! Thus, despite the defeat of the Army, bad weather and huge, according to German standards, the losses, the Luftwaffe still held the air.
Soon the command of the 8th Air Corps was forced to relocate its forces. JG3 fighter squadron flew from the airport to the Kennel Morozov and Oblivsky. There also moved Ju-87 of StG2 «Immelman". Inside the boiler from its structure has been left only special assault squadron lieutenant Yungklauzena. As a reinforcement of Armavir Morozov returned I./KG100, with the exception of staff link that Richthofen left there to continue the attack tankers in the Caspian Sea. Thus, despite the severe crisis command of the Luftwaffe still not completely refuse to fulfill strategic objectives. At the same time, part of the bomber was used for a very specific purpose - landing on the retreating Romanian units leaflets calling to stop the stampede ...
26 November, Soviet tanks broke through to the village Oblivsky, resulting in the headquarters of the 8th Air Corps was on the front line. The commander of the 99th Antiaircraft Regiment oberet Rainer Shtael organized a makeshift defense, and even took part in the fighting chain of command, including the chief of staff, Lieutenant-oberet background Haynman personally was shooting a machine gun. At the height of the fighting in Oblivsky landed von Richthofen. He did not appreciate the heroism and sacrifice of his subordinates and ordered them to evacuate to the rear, to organize the supply of the 6th Army in the air. Subsequently, the defense on the river. Chir occupied by new units of Army Group "Don" and moved to the headquarters of the Air Tatsinskii.
Originally intended to provide the Luftwaffe Command troops surrounded entirely by transport squadrons. To do this, airfields and Tatsinskaya Morozov had one Zadruga deployed 11 air groups, equipped with three-engine Ju-52, as well as two groups of Ju-86, about 200 transport workers. The bombers were also used for attacks on Soviet troops. Thus, "Heinkel" of KG27 and I. / KG 100 for 22 - 28 November to three or four times a day, flew to the bombing of Stalingrad and the surrounding areas.
Due to bad weather conditions, the aircraft has to operate at extremely low altitudes, in the zone of intense anti-aircraft fire. Therefore, the loss or damage was inevitable. November 25 in the area of Perelazovsky was shot down Ju-87 commander of the 5th Squadron StG2 Hauptmann Joachim Langbehn. The pilot, who committed before about 400 combat missions, died. This flight was the last one for him bortstrelka chief sergeant Joseph Laus. 28th during the regular departure No-111 Hauptmann Boettcher received a direct hit by 85-mm anti-aircraft shell in the right wing. Only thanks to its vast experience in the pilot was able to harsh weather conditions make it to the airport in the Morozov and land.
It soon became clear that a transport aircraft to supply the 6th Army is not enough. Slow and clumsy "Junkers-52", for which the pilots to take off in a snowy blizzard was already a feat, was taken to a kennel 60-70 tonnes of cargo per day. Then on November 29 the commander of the 4th Air Fleet von Richthofen took immediate action. At the airport Morozov was formed 1st Aviation and Transportation Command, headed by an experienced pilot - the commander KG55 «Greif" oberet Ernst Kyuhl. He has received an order from the Richthofen used to deliver the goods in Stalingrad-111 Not all of the available six air groups, at the same time maintain the air defense on the river. Chir in order to prevent the advance of the Soviet troops to the airfields in Tazinskaya and Morozov (the latter was only 40 km from the front line). To perform the latter task in order Kyuhla were handed fighter squadron JG3 «Udet" and assault StG2 and I. / Sch.Gl. You could also use a Romanian fighter. November 30th the first 40 "Heinkels" departed not familiar with their bombs, and chock full of provisions and ammunition.
However, progress in the provision made by the "improper" use of the bombers, the Germans have done sideways on the battlefield. The troops have lost significant support from the air, and the Soviet command could finally almost unimpeded right to bring up their reserves to the front. Only forty-Ju-88 in I. and III./KG1 «Hindenburg", as well as I./KG51 still played the role of bombers and their pilots really worked "in Stakhanov," raided the railway station and Mihailovka Archeda, attacking trains on the east bank of the Volga and even bombed the railway Astrakhan - Urbach [134] .
Meanwhile, in early December conditions for the actions of bombers even more complicated. Airfields in Tazinskaya and Morozov were overloaded transport aircraft, there are increasingly been accidents and catastrophes. So KG 1 went to rest and re-formed in Germany, a I./KG51 December 7 relocated to the rear, at the airport in Rostov-on-Don, but even there it continued to fly over the Volga River in western Kazakhstan, overcoming distance of over 500 km ! And all this in the harshest weather conditions: the icy wind and limited visibility.
December 12th Panzer General Hermann Hoth's group launched an operation to break through the encirclement, striking out the Kotelnikovo in the north-east towards Stalingrad. From the air, it was supported by "pieces" of a squadron StG2 «Immelmann" and Romanian fighters, acting as a ground attack aircraft. Three days later, the German tanks reached the river Aksai Esaulovsky, ie overcame a third of the distance to the 6th Army. At this point - December 15 - Wehrmacht general strategic position in the South Volga and Don has not looked disastrous. The front of the river Chir managed to keep, Division Paulus controlled a large area stretching from west to east for 50 km, at the same time, almost all of Stalingrad was in German hands. Surroundings of the majority of the generals and ordinary infantrymen were probably only a temporary problem, especially since the offensive began Hoth developed encouragingly successful. Transport planes and bombers daily delivered in Gumrak on 145 tons of cargo. Of course, this was not enough, but still presented insurmountable difficulties. Airfields, despite the terrible weather, worked smoothly, and the Luftwaffe than they could have helped the ground forces.
However, the morning of December 16 originated signs of the apocalypse. In the Middle Don Soviet forces far superior forces attacked positions of the Italian 8th Army. Two days later, the defense is beginning to fall apart quickly, and hundreds of Russian T-34 tanks swept into enemy territory. Richthofen could throw at them only half a dozen of the Ju-88 I./KG51 and several Romanian bombers. However, 250 km south-east German tanks continued to be torn to Stalingrad and the 20 th of Myshkova reached the river. Prior to the encircled them were 40 km.
In this situation, Adolf Hitler had to make a fateful decision: either to allow Paulus to break in the south-east, or left the 6th Army in Stalingrad in the hope of a general improvement in the operational environment. Fuhrer, unlike his generals well aware inevitable political and psychological consequences of withdrawal from the Volga. This meant that all the achievements of the summer-autumn campaign will be lost. Come spring, and again on the river barge will move caravans Caucasian oil. Attack of the railway Astrakhan - Saratov have to stop because of the removal of the Volga bomber airfields. Thus the battle for oil will inevitably lost to Germany. After weighing the "pros" and "cons", Hitler came to the right decision: he banned breakthrough. German divisions were to remain in Stalingrad and fight to the last.
Meanwhile, transporters and Luftwaffe bombers from 19 to 21 December made 450 sorties in the "pot", bringing back 450 tons of cargo. However, in the following days established completely non-flying weather - Don steppe enveloped the thick fog. Soon worsening situation prompted the commander of Army Group "Don" Erich von Manstein to retreat from the river Myshkova and throw their tanks in the north-west, where the rapidly crested wave of Soviet attack.
Using the non-flying weather, T-34 tanks, waddling through the snow, approaching Millerovo. Already on December 20 squadron KG27 had to relocate to the north-west, Starobil's'k. Three days later, threatened and over Tazinskaya. At 07.20 Moscow time on 24 December have already begun to explode bombs at the northern edge of the airfield, and within 45 minutes in the air rose 124 Ju-52. In 0815 took off last "Junkers", carrying the commander of the 8th Air Corps Martin Fibigso his staff. At 09.30 the plane landed in Rostov-on-Don. Fiebig breathed a sigh of relief, but little reason for optimism, he was not. I had to leave the airport, which for nearly four months of his bombers carried out successful attacks on Stalingrad, Saratov, Astrakhan and other objects. Were lost a total of 60 transport aircraft.
The next day - December 25 - Commander rufttransportfuhrer 1 Ernst Kyuhl ordered to relocate "Heinkel" and dive-bombers of the Morozov, which is also approaching Soviet tanks in Novocherkassk. The morning of December 26 the weather finally improved and "pieces" have hit tanks had broken through. Soon, the Germans fought off the counter and Tatsinskii. The situation at some time has stabilized, but the 6th Army now was at a distance of 110-120 km from the position of Army Group "Don".
At Christmas time, Hitler was forced to take another historic decision. Under pressure from the rapidly deteriorating situation, he ordered a general retreat from the Caucasus.
So, in a fierce struggle ended in 1942
By mid-November 1942 at the direction of Stalingrad is the largest one, according to German standards, the air forces:
- Eight bomber groups: I. and III./KG1, I. and part II./KG51, 1. and II./KG55, as well as KG27 at full strength;
- Three assault groups: II. / StGl, I. and II./StG2;
- Four squadrons in direct support of the troops: Stab., 3,6, 7h8./Sc1i.G1.
At the same time, the 76th Bomber Squadron ever left the Eastern Front, was relocated from Armavir on the Mediterranean Sea. In Russia there were only a few crews from its membership. Luftwaffe fighter aircraft at Stalingrad still consisted of a squadron JG3 «Udet".
While all of these forces have a total of 330 aircraft were in good condition 127 twin-engine bombers, 67 ground attack aircraft and 64 fighters. In addition, as part of the 4th Air Force had 16 squadrons near intelligence, had 38 combat-ready aircraft "Focke-Wulf» FW-189 and 12 "Messerschmitt» Bf-software. Further exploration of the entire southern part of the Soviet-German front were only three squadrons - 3. (F) / Aufkl.Gr.lO, 3. (F) / Aufkl.Gr.l21 and 4. (F) / Aufkl.Gr.l22 , located fourteen serviceable Ju-88D.
At the same time the Soviet 8th, 16th, 17th Air Army and the part assigned to them the forces of the 2nd Air Army, and the 102nd Air Defense IBP had a total 1,916 combat aircraft, of which 1360, in t . h 519 fighters were in good condition. Thus, the numerical superiority of the Soviet Air Force was 4.5:1.
In the night from 18 to 19 November in the Southern Volga established non-flying weather - thick clouds and heavy snow with near zero visibility. Back in the 7:00 am all was quiet. On extensive Don front from Voronezh to Kachalin was silence. Hungarian, Italian and Romanian soldiers, wrapped in warm clothes and scratching of lice bites, sleeping in mud huts, and only patrols were freezing in their positions in the trenches. Above the black strip of the river periodically rocket taking off, illuminating the rough, pitted with craters and trenches shells steppe. Further east, in Stalingrad, as calm prevailed. And at this moment for the Wehrmacht crisis erupted. At 07.30 Moscow time (05.30 in on Berlin) November 19, Soviet troops launched "Operation Uranus". After a prolonged artillery barrage, 5th Panzer Army and the 21th Army, having broken through the front moved into the Romanian defense.
At that time, some 150 km to the south-west, at the airport in the squadron KG27 Millerovo, non-commissioned officer Ludwig Denz was ordered, despite the bad weather conditions, to carry out air reconnaissance to determine what is happening on the Romanian positions. Soon camouflaged in winter colors "Heinkel" has rolled down the runway, creaking wheels in the fresh snow. Climbing up into the sky, the plane flew to Don through solid clouds. Behind the glass canopy could not see anything, and the navigator Ludwig Hafighorst guided only by instruments. Then the clouds began to dissipate, the bottom seemed to snow-covered steppe.
Then the eyes of pilots appeared a terrible sight. They saw a huge column of Soviet forces: tanks, infantry, armored vehicles and trucks in many places crossed the river and moved to the south and south-east. Radio operator immediately began to report what they saw to the headquarters squadron. It was obvious that the Russian began a large-scale offensive. Soon bomber returned Millerovo, where the crew has verbally reported to his superiors about the results of exploration.
Squadron commander, Baron von Best reacted immediately. Half an hour II./KG27 planes took off to attack the Soviet forces had broken through. However, due to poor visibility, "Heinkel" were forced to drop bombs from low altitude, actually playing the role of attack aircraft, while being long in strong anti-aircraft fire. As a result, seven bombers shot down immediately! Such a huge loss for the group did not know the whole period of the Battle of Stalingrad. No-111 Ludwig Denz also received a lot of damage, but still was able to return to the airfield. Then the plane mechanic counted 151 bullet hole.
However, these heroic efforts could not stop the powerful and rapid Soviet advance, and the morning of November 20 Russian tanks occupied the city Perelazovsky. And it was already deep in the German rear, just 60 km from the headquarters of the 8th Air Corps Luftwaffe, who was at that time in the village Oblivsky! There, while in his bunker, surrounded by maps, Lieutenant General Fiebig [133] studied the neuro recent reports. Soon received information that the army of the Stalingrad Front, striking from the area lakes and Sarpa Swell, attacked the positions of the 4th Romanian Army, drawing her to flee. At the same time a foothold in the area went on the offensive Kletskaia 65th Soviet Army.
She flew towards the Ju-87 of StG2. Among them was the "Junkers" by Hans-Ulrich Rudel. Soon down in the snow-covered steppes he saw fleeing in panic Romanian troops threw down their rifles and guns. Further to the north of the column headed wide of the Soviet infantry. "I ruthlessly dropped bombs on the enemy column, and my guns spat out a jet of hot lead in the endless yellow-green waves of attacking infantry, who poured upon us from Asia and the Mongolian steppes. I used up all the ammo, leaving no one, even to protect against a possible Russian attack fighters "- later recalled Rudel.
Shots on Soviet tank columns and inflicted "Henschel" an assault Air Group I. / Sch.Gl Major Alfred Drushelya. Even participated in the attack biplanes Hs-123. Despite the bad weather, the command of the 8th Air Corps was thrown against the advancing all the available forces. The most experienced pilots of six bomber and three assault groups, decide to take off when visibility is about 100 m, continuously attacked the Soviet forces, incurring heavy losses. Only 5 Squadron of KG27 for days lost six "Heinkels" (60% of regular number!), Who had been shot down or written off due to severe damage. November 20 during a combat sortie to attack Soviet troops was shot down south of Stalingrad Not-111 Chief Sergeant Major Karl Lippa of II./KG55, who was killed while on board the group commander, Major Hans-Joachim Gabriel.
Tellingly, the Soviet air force because of bad weather these days is almost inactive. However, by 22 November 0600 the vanguard of the 26th Panzer Corps, consisting of five T-34 tanks and three armored vehicles broke deep into the rear of the German 6th Army at the bank of the Don near Kalach. As a result, the Soviet troops were able to capture a large bend in the river near airfields scouts Luftwaffe. In their hands were as by aircraft, and staffs with valuable intelligence. Major storm troopers Hichholda miraculously managed to escape from the airfield Tusov from under the noses of the enemy.
Divisions and consolidated Wehrmacht troops in many places desperate counterattack the enemy, but, regardless of losses, paving the way through the minefields of thousands of corpses penalty box, the Soviet troops stubbornly went ahead and by the end of November 23 closed the encirclement. Create a critical situation forced the German pilots to make five - ten flights a day, attacking the enemy here and there. It was November 25th Lieutenant Rudel set a world record, having made during the day for their "pieces" 17 sorties! Thus, despite the defeat of the Army, bad weather and huge, according to German standards, the losses, the Luftwaffe still held the air.
Soon the command of the 8th Air Corps was forced to relocate its forces. JG3 fighter squadron flew from the airport to the Kennel Morozov and Oblivsky. There also moved Ju-87 of StG2 «Immelman". Inside the boiler from its structure has been left only special assault squadron lieutenant Yungklauzena. As a reinforcement of Armavir Morozov returned I./KG100, with the exception of staff link that Richthofen left there to continue the attack tankers in the Caspian Sea. Thus, despite the severe crisis command of the Luftwaffe still not completely refuse to fulfill strategic objectives. At the same time, part of the bomber was used for a very specific purpose - landing on the retreating Romanian units leaflets calling to stop the stampede ...
26 November, Soviet tanks broke through to the village Oblivsky, resulting in the headquarters of the 8th Air Corps was on the front line. The commander of the 99th Antiaircraft Regiment oberet Rainer Shtael organized a makeshift defense, and even took part in the fighting chain of command, including the chief of staff, Lieutenant-oberet background Haynman personally was shooting a machine gun. At the height of the fighting in Oblivsky landed von Richthofen. He did not appreciate the heroism and sacrifice of his subordinates and ordered them to evacuate to the rear, to organize the supply of the 6th Army in the air. Subsequently, the defense on the river. Chir occupied by new units of Army Group "Don" and moved to the headquarters of the Air Tatsinskii.
Originally intended to provide the Luftwaffe Command troops surrounded entirely by transport squadrons. To do this, airfields and Tatsinskaya Morozov had one Zadruga deployed 11 air groups, equipped with three-engine Ju-52, as well as two groups of Ju-86, about 200 transport workers. The bombers were also used for attacks on Soviet troops. Thus, "Heinkel" of KG27 and I. / KG 100 for 22 - 28 November to three or four times a day, flew to the bombing of Stalingrad and the surrounding areas.
Due to bad weather conditions, the aircraft has to operate at extremely low altitudes, in the zone of intense anti-aircraft fire. Therefore, the loss or damage was inevitable. November 25 in the area of Perelazovsky was shot down Ju-87 commander of the 5th Squadron StG2 Hauptmann Joachim Langbehn. The pilot, who committed before about 400 combat missions, died. This flight was the last one for him bortstrelka chief sergeant Joseph Laus. 28th during the regular departure No-111 Hauptmann Boettcher received a direct hit by 85-mm anti-aircraft shell in the right wing. Only thanks to its vast experience in the pilot was able to harsh weather conditions make it to the airport in the Morozov and land.
It soon became clear that a transport aircraft to supply the 6th Army is not enough. Slow and clumsy "Junkers-52", for which the pilots to take off in a snowy blizzard was already a feat, was taken to a kennel 60-70 tonnes of cargo per day. Then on November 29 the commander of the 4th Air Fleet von Richthofen took immediate action. At the airport Morozov was formed 1st Aviation and Transportation Command, headed by an experienced pilot - the commander KG55 «Greif" oberet Ernst Kyuhl. He has received an order from the Richthofen used to deliver the goods in Stalingrad-111 Not all of the available six air groups, at the same time maintain the air defense on the river. Chir in order to prevent the advance of the Soviet troops to the airfields in Tazinskaya and Morozov (the latter was only 40 km from the front line). To perform the latter task in order Kyuhla were handed fighter squadron JG3 «Udet" and assault StG2 and I. / Sch.Gl. You could also use a Romanian fighter. November 30th the first 40 "Heinkels" departed not familiar with their bombs, and chock full of provisions and ammunition.
However, progress in the provision made by the "improper" use of the bombers, the Germans have done sideways on the battlefield. The troops have lost significant support from the air, and the Soviet command could finally almost unimpeded right to bring up their reserves to the front. Only forty-Ju-88 in I. and III./KG1 «Hindenburg", as well as I./KG51 still played the role of bombers and their pilots really worked "in Stakhanov," raided the railway station and Mihailovka Archeda, attacking trains on the east bank of the Volga and even bombed the railway Astrakhan - Urbach [134] .
Meanwhile, in early December conditions for the actions of bombers even more complicated. Airfields in Tazinskaya and Morozov were overloaded transport aircraft, there are increasingly been accidents and catastrophes. So KG 1 went to rest and re-formed in Germany, a I./KG51 December 7 relocated to the rear, at the airport in Rostov-on-Don, but even there it continued to fly over the Volga River in western Kazakhstan, overcoming distance of over 500 km ! And all this in the harshest weather conditions: the icy wind and limited visibility.
December 12th Panzer General Hermann Hoth's group launched an operation to break through the encirclement, striking out the Kotelnikovo in the north-east towards Stalingrad. From the air, it was supported by "pieces" of a squadron StG2 «Immelmann" and Romanian fighters, acting as a ground attack aircraft. Three days later, the German tanks reached the river Aksai Esaulovsky, ie overcame a third of the distance to the 6th Army. At this point - December 15 - Wehrmacht general strategic position in the South Volga and Don has not looked disastrous. The front of the river Chir managed to keep, Division Paulus controlled a large area stretching from west to east for 50 km, at the same time, almost all of Stalingrad was in German hands. Surroundings of the majority of the generals and ordinary infantrymen were probably only a temporary problem, especially since the offensive began Hoth developed encouragingly successful. Transport planes and bombers daily delivered in Gumrak on 145 tons of cargo. Of course, this was not enough, but still presented insurmountable difficulties. Airfields, despite the terrible weather, worked smoothly, and the Luftwaffe than they could have helped the ground forces.
However, the morning of December 16 originated signs of the apocalypse. In the Middle Don Soviet forces far superior forces attacked positions of the Italian 8th Army. Two days later, the defense is beginning to fall apart quickly, and hundreds of Russian T-34 tanks swept into enemy territory. Richthofen could throw at them only half a dozen of the Ju-88 I./KG51 and several Romanian bombers. However, 250 km south-east German tanks continued to be torn to Stalingrad and the 20 th of Myshkova reached the river. Prior to the encircled them were 40 km.
In this situation, Adolf Hitler had to make a fateful decision: either to allow Paulus to break in the south-east, or left the 6th Army in Stalingrad in the hope of a general improvement in the operational environment. Fuhrer, unlike his generals well aware inevitable political and psychological consequences of withdrawal from the Volga. This meant that all the achievements of the summer-autumn campaign will be lost. Come spring, and again on the river barge will move caravans Caucasian oil. Attack of the railway Astrakhan - Saratov have to stop because of the removal of the Volga bomber airfields. Thus the battle for oil will inevitably lost to Germany. After weighing the "pros" and "cons", Hitler came to the right decision: he banned breakthrough. German divisions were to remain in Stalingrad and fight to the last.
Meanwhile, transporters and Luftwaffe bombers from 19 to 21 December made 450 sorties in the "pot", bringing back 450 tons of cargo. However, in the following days established completely non-flying weather - Don steppe enveloped the thick fog. Soon worsening situation prompted the commander of Army Group "Don" Erich von Manstein to retreat from the river Myshkova and throw their tanks in the north-west, where the rapidly crested wave of Soviet attack.
Using the non-flying weather, T-34 tanks, waddling through the snow, approaching Millerovo. Already on December 20 squadron KG27 had to relocate to the north-west, Starobil's'k. Three days later, threatened and over Tazinskaya. At 07.20 Moscow time on 24 December have already begun to explode bombs at the northern edge of the airfield, and within 45 minutes in the air rose 124 Ju-52. In 0815 took off last "Junkers", carrying the commander of the 8th Air Corps Martin Fibigso his staff. At 09.30 the plane landed in Rostov-on-Don. Fiebig breathed a sigh of relief, but little reason for optimism, he was not. I had to leave the airport, which for nearly four months of his bombers carried out successful attacks on Stalingrad, Saratov, Astrakhan and other objects. Were lost a total of 60 transport aircraft.
The next day - December 25 - Commander rufttransportfuhrer 1 Ernst Kyuhl ordered to relocate "Heinkel" and dive-bombers of the Morozov, which is also approaching Soviet tanks in Novocherkassk. The morning of December 26 the weather finally improved and "pieces" have hit tanks had broken through. Soon, the Germans fought off the counter and Tatsinskii. The situation at some time has stabilized, but the 6th Army now was at a distance of 110-120 km from the position of Army Group "Don".
At Christmas time, Hitler was forced to take another historic decision. Under pressure from the rapidly deteriorating situation, he ordered a general retreat from the Caucasus.
So, in a fierce struggle ended in 1942
Re: Air Battle over the Volga 11/42
STALINGRAD AGONY
January new in 1943 for the Wehrmacht was terrible. Front continued to retreat to the west, inexorably moving away from the Volga. Starving and freezing 6th Army under General Paulus, agonizing, still defended in a huge pot, which stretches around Stalingrad. The command of the Luftwaffe has spared the last desperate attempts to establish supply encircled by air. To increase the turnover to the aid of transport and bomber squadrons were allocated scarce even four-engine aircraft: two Ju-290, 18 FW-200 "Condor" from the 1st and 3rd Squadrons KG40 [135] , as well as seven new bomber He-177 "Grief" from I./KG50. Recent immediately showed his unfitness as a transport. In the first flight to Stalingrad missing group commander Major Kurt Sheede. After that, the rest of the machine had to make 13 sorties, during which almost all of them have been lost due to accidents. However, in this short time the Germans had time to use as a bomber attack aircraft. To do this, ventral gondola hastily installed 50-mm cannon.
The fate of two four-engine "Junkers" also failed. Ju-290 «BD + TX», following a successful flight, on the night of January 13 crashed during takeoff and crashed. The cause of the disaster were wounded dropped from the starting acceleration in the tail, and thus changed the alignment of the machine. The second "Junkers" was attacked on the way from Stalingrad by Soviet fighters LaGG-3. The pilot, Major Vizkrandtu managed to escape from his pursuers, but the aircraft was badly damaged and was sent to Germany for repair. And only the "Condors" successfully continued to fly from the airfield to Stalin in the "pot".
From 28 December 1942 to 17 January 1943 the Luftwaffe made 1533 sorties to supply the encircled by delivering nearly 3,000 tons of cargo and transported 9,660 wounded. Meanwhile, on January 11, Soviet troops launched an offensive against the remnants of the 6th Army, inexorably squeezing the encirclement. Soon, under the threat appeared and airfields, which were landing transport aircraft. In the evening, Jan. 18 at the airport Gumrak landed Not-111 commander of the 2nd Squadron KG55 «Grief" Chief Lieutenant Horst Rudata. Taking on board 27 wounded, "Heinkel" soared into the sky and went to the west. As it turned out, it was the last bomber squadron, who managed to land in a "pot" and successfully return. Four days later the Russian occupied Gumrak and moved on to the city. Therefore, in the following days the German planes basically dumped by parachute cargo containers.
Surprisingly, however, even in this completely hopeless situation Luftwaffe command completely waived operations of strategic importance. Thus, the squadron KG51 «Edelweiss», in addition to tactical objectives to provide cover for withdrawal of German and Romanian divisions from the Caucasus and Kalmykia, periodically continued strike by rail Astrakhan - Urbach. January 8 Ju-88 group of I./KG51 made another raid on the station Baskunchak. In this case, the commander of the squadron oberet Heinrich Conrad, personally participated in it, I decided to fix the results of the attack. To do this, it "Junkers", despite the heavy anti-aircraft fire from the ground, turned around and went to the second round. Other crews are clearly seen as the aircraft received a direct hit by flak and going to the disorderly dive, fell in the wilderness. This tragedy marked the beginning of the black strip in the history of the 1st squadron of the group. During the next three days, from January 9 to 11, she lost for various reasons, once 13 crew, ie half of the personnel! Such losses, in the old days, the German bombers did not know. Nevertheless, attacks on railway stations of the Volga continued until the beginning of February, while the headquarters and the 1st Squadron KG51 group remained in Rostov-on-Don. Then the "Junkers" from all three groups flew west to Kiev.
Jan. 31 6th Army surrendered, ending lasted for six months the battle on the Volga. In this case, the Luftwaffe, in spite of all efforts, only partially succeeded in fulfilling the objective of supplying encircled and evacuate the wounded. Total from 24 November 1942 to 3 February 1943 aircraft of the 1st Air Transport Command completed 4872 departure, surrounded by delivering parts of 8250 tons of various cargoes. The air was evacuated almost 30 thousand people, ie 11% of the composition surrounded units. At the same time combat and non-combat losses Luftwaffe, including cars, abandoned on the ground, totaling 488 aircraft, including Ju-266 52 165 Non-111 42 86 Ju-nine FW-200 177 Non-five and one Ju-290. Dead, missing and captured more than 1,100 people out of their crews. By the standards of the Germans it was a real disaster.
January new in 1943 for the Wehrmacht was terrible. Front continued to retreat to the west, inexorably moving away from the Volga. Starving and freezing 6th Army under General Paulus, agonizing, still defended in a huge pot, which stretches around Stalingrad. The command of the Luftwaffe has spared the last desperate attempts to establish supply encircled by air. To increase the turnover to the aid of transport and bomber squadrons were allocated scarce even four-engine aircraft: two Ju-290, 18 FW-200 "Condor" from the 1st and 3rd Squadrons KG40 [135] , as well as seven new bomber He-177 "Grief" from I./KG50. Recent immediately showed his unfitness as a transport. In the first flight to Stalingrad missing group commander Major Kurt Sheede. After that, the rest of the machine had to make 13 sorties, during which almost all of them have been lost due to accidents. However, in this short time the Germans had time to use as a bomber attack aircraft. To do this, ventral gondola hastily installed 50-mm cannon.
The fate of two four-engine "Junkers" also failed. Ju-290 «BD + TX», following a successful flight, on the night of January 13 crashed during takeoff and crashed. The cause of the disaster were wounded dropped from the starting acceleration in the tail, and thus changed the alignment of the machine. The second "Junkers" was attacked on the way from Stalingrad by Soviet fighters LaGG-3. The pilot, Major Vizkrandtu managed to escape from his pursuers, but the aircraft was badly damaged and was sent to Germany for repair. And only the "Condors" successfully continued to fly from the airfield to Stalin in the "pot".
From 28 December 1942 to 17 January 1943 the Luftwaffe made 1533 sorties to supply the encircled by delivering nearly 3,000 tons of cargo and transported 9,660 wounded. Meanwhile, on January 11, Soviet troops launched an offensive against the remnants of the 6th Army, inexorably squeezing the encirclement. Soon, under the threat appeared and airfields, which were landing transport aircraft. In the evening, Jan. 18 at the airport Gumrak landed Not-111 commander of the 2nd Squadron KG55 «Grief" Chief Lieutenant Horst Rudata. Taking on board 27 wounded, "Heinkel" soared into the sky and went to the west. As it turned out, it was the last bomber squadron, who managed to land in a "pot" and successfully return. Four days later the Russian occupied Gumrak and moved on to the city. Therefore, in the following days the German planes basically dumped by parachute cargo containers.
Surprisingly, however, even in this completely hopeless situation Luftwaffe command completely waived operations of strategic importance. Thus, the squadron KG51 «Edelweiss», in addition to tactical objectives to provide cover for withdrawal of German and Romanian divisions from the Caucasus and Kalmykia, periodically continued strike by rail Astrakhan - Urbach. January 8 Ju-88 group of I./KG51 made another raid on the station Baskunchak. In this case, the commander of the squadron oberet Heinrich Conrad, personally participated in it, I decided to fix the results of the attack. To do this, it "Junkers", despite the heavy anti-aircraft fire from the ground, turned around and went to the second round. Other crews are clearly seen as the aircraft received a direct hit by flak and going to the disorderly dive, fell in the wilderness. This tragedy marked the beginning of the black strip in the history of the 1st squadron of the group. During the next three days, from January 9 to 11, she lost for various reasons, once 13 crew, ie half of the personnel! Such losses, in the old days, the German bombers did not know. Nevertheless, attacks on railway stations of the Volga continued until the beginning of February, while the headquarters and the 1st Squadron KG51 group remained in Rostov-on-Don. Then the "Junkers" from all three groups flew west to Kiev.
Jan. 31 6th Army surrendered, ending lasted for six months the battle on the Volga. In this case, the Luftwaffe, in spite of all efforts, only partially succeeded in fulfilling the objective of supplying encircled and evacuate the wounded. Total from 24 November 1942 to 3 February 1943 aircraft of the 1st Air Transport Command completed 4872 departure, surrounded by delivering parts of 8250 tons of various cargoes. The air was evacuated almost 30 thousand people, ie 11% of the composition surrounded units. At the same time combat and non-combat losses Luftwaffe, including cars, abandoned on the ground, totaling 488 aircraft, including Ju-266 52 165 Non-111 42 86 Ju-nine FW-200 177 Non-five and one Ju-290. Dead, missing and captured more than 1,100 people out of their crews. By the standards of the Germans it was a real disaster.
Re: Air Battle over the Volga 11/42
06/10/1942 - At 18.00hr one salvo of Katyusha rockets kills a complete German battalion (~500-1000 men) west of the railway bridge of the Metsjetka river.
Sokol1
Sokol1