10th Air Corps (Germany)
Encyclopedia
X. FliegerkorpsFor more details see Luftwaffe Organization
(10th Air Corps) was a formation of the German Luftwaffe
in World War II
, which specialised in coastal operations. It was formed 2 October 1939, in Hamburg
from the 10. Flieger-Division.
incident that terminated the Kriegsmarine
's Operation Wikinger
.
In early 1941, X. Fliegerkorps was transferred from Norway to Sicily
to support the build-up of the Afrika Korps
in Libya. At this time, it had some 260 first-line aircraft, mostly Junkers Ju 87
("Stuka") dive-bombers and Messerschmitt Bf 109
fighters. It was prominent in the axis effort to suppress British interference with the supply routes from Italy by reducing Malta
's effectiveness as a forward base.
Stationed in Greece
after 1941, the Corps was crucial in securing air superiority and German victory during the 1943 Dodecanese Campaign
. The Corps was renamed to Kommandierender General der Deutschen Luftwaffe in Griechenland (commanding general of the German Luftwaffe in Greece) in March 1944 and disbanded on 5 September 1944 with the withdrawal of German forces from the country.
Luftwaffe Organization
Between 1933 and 1945, the organization of the Luftwaffe underwent several changes. Originally, the German military high command decided to use an organizational structure similar to the army and navy, treating the branch as a strategic weapon of war...
(10th Air Corps) was a formation of the German Luftwaffe
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....
in 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...
, which specialised in coastal operations. It was formed 2 October 1939, in Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
from the 10. Flieger-Division.
Operational history
The Corps was stationed in north Germany in February 1940 when some of its aircraft were involved in a disastrous friendly fireFriendly fire
Friendly fire is inadvertent firing towards one's own or otherwise friendly forces while attempting to engage enemy forces, particularly where this results in injury or death. A death resulting from a negligent discharge is not considered friendly fire...
incident that terminated the Kriegsmarine
Kriegsmarine
The Kriegsmarine was the name of the German Navy during the Nazi regime . It superseded the Kaiserliche Marine of World War I and the post-war Reichsmarine. The Kriegsmarine was one of three official branches of the Wehrmacht, the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany.The Kriegsmarine grew rapidly...
's Operation Wikinger
Operation Wikinger
Operation Wikinger was a sortie into the North Sea by the 1st Destroyer Flotilla of the Kriegsmarine, in February 1940. During this operation, poor inter-service communication and cooperation between the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe and inexperience resulted in the loss of two German ships...
.
In early 1941, X. Fliegerkorps was transferred from Norway to Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
to support the build-up of the Afrika Korps
Afrika Korps
The German Africa Corps , or the Afrika Korps as it was popularly called, was the German expeditionary force in Libya and Tunisia during the North African Campaign of World War II...
in Libya. At this time, it had some 260 first-line aircraft, mostly Junkers Ju 87
Junkers Ju 87
The Junkers Ju 87 or Stuka was a two-man German ground-attack aircraft...
("Stuka") dive-bombers and Messerschmitt Bf 109
Messerschmitt Bf 109
The Messerschmitt Bf 109, often called Me 109, was a German World War II fighter aircraft designed by Willy Messerschmitt and Robert Lusser during the early to mid 1930s...
fighters. It was prominent in the axis effort to suppress British interference with the supply routes from Italy by reducing Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
's effectiveness as a forward base.
Stationed in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
after 1941, the Corps was crucial in securing air superiority and German victory during the 1943 Dodecanese Campaign
Dodecanese Campaign
The Dodecanese Campaign of World War II was an attempt by Allied forces, mostly British, to capture the Italian-held Dodecanese islands in the Aegean Sea following the surrender of Italy in September 1943, and use them as bases against the German-controlled Balkans...
. The Corps was renamed to Kommandierender General der Deutschen Luftwaffe in Griechenland (commanding general of the German Luftwaffe in Greece) in March 1944 and disbanded on 5 September 1944 with the withdrawal of German forces from the country.
Commanding general
- General der Flieger Hans Geisler, 2 October 1939 – 31 August 1942
- General der Flieger Bernhard Kühl (acting), 3 June 1940 – 20 September 1940
- General der Flieger Otto Hoffmann von WaldauOtto Hoffmann von WaldauOtto Hoffmann von Waldau was a World War II Luftwaffe general and was killed in an air crash on 17 May 1943.-Awards:* Iron Cross 2nd and 1st Class* Wound Badge in Badge...
, 31 August 1942 – 31 December 1942 - Generalleutnant Alexander HolleAlexander HolleAlexander Holle was a highly decorated Generalleutnant 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 January 1943 – 22 May 1943 - General der Flieger Martin FiebigMartin FiebigMartin Fiebig was a German general of Luftwaffe, serving during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
, 22 May 1943 – 1 September 1944
Chief-of-Staff
- Oberstleutnant Martin HarlinghausenMartin HarlinghausenMartin Harlinghausen was a Luftwaffe Commander during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
, 1 November 1939 – 31.3.41 - Generalleutnant Ulrich KesslerUlrich KesslerUlrich Otto Eduard Kessler was a highly decorated General der Flieger 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...
(acting), 25 April 1940 – 21 May 1940 - Generalleutnant Günther KortenGünther KortenGünther Korten was a German Colonel General and Chief of the General Staff of the Luftwaffe in World War II. He died from injuries suffered in the assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler in July 1944....
, 1 April 1941 – March 1942 - Oberst Sigismund Freiherr von Falkenhausen, 1 April 1942 - March 1943
- Major Eckard Christian, 8 March 1943 – 2 June 1943
- Generalmajor Walter BoenickeWalter BoenickeWalter Boenicke was a highly decorated General der Flieger in the Luftwaffe during World War II who commanded the 3. Flieger Division. 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...
, June 1943 – 6 January 1944