Schlachtgeschwader 77
Encyclopedia
Schlachtgeschwader 77 was a Luftwaffe
close air support
-wing
of World War II
.
. With the exception of II. Group which was redesignated as III. Group, Schlachtgeschwader 10
, the remaining groups were renamed to Schlachtgeschwader 77.
On 3 March 1945, 9. Staffel equipped its FW 190F-8s with Panzerblitz 80 mm anti-tank rockets. Adapted from the R4M rocket, these were carried under the outboard wings.
On 17 April 1945 Stab and III./SG 77 were based at Kamenz, north-east of Dresden
. A formation of P-51s of the 55th Fighter Group spotted SG 77's aircraft preparing to take-off. 116-kill 'ace' Oberleutnant August Lambert
and two other pilots were taking off when the American fighters appeared. The FW 190s jettisoned their bombs and tried to escape but all three were shot down, Lambert being killed in his FW 190 F-8 'Black 9 + ' north of Hoyerswerda
. Seven other FW 190s were destroyed or badly damaged on the ground at Kamenz by the P-51s.
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....
close air support
Close air support
In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces.The determining factor for CAS is...
-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...
.
History
Schlachtgeschwader 77 was formed on 18 October 1943 in Wassilkow from Stab/Sturzkampfgeschwader 77Sturzkampfgeschwader 77
Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 was a Luftwaffe Dive bomber-wing of World War II.-History:Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 was formed on 1 May 1939, I. Group in Brieg, Stab and II. Group in Breslau-Schöngarten . The III. Group was formed from II...
. With the exception of II. Group which was redesignated as III. Group, Schlachtgeschwader 10
Schlachtgeschwader 10
Schlachtgeschwader 10 was a Luftwaffe Close air support–wing of World War II. The Geschwader was formed on 18 October 1943 in Berdychiv from the Stab of Schnellkampfgeschwader 10....
, the remaining groups were renamed to Schlachtgeschwader 77.
On 3 March 1945, 9. Staffel equipped its FW 190F-8s with Panzerblitz 80 mm anti-tank rockets. Adapted from the R4M rocket, these were carried under the outboard wings.
On 17 April 1945 Stab and III./SG 77 were based at Kamenz, north-east of Dresden
Dresden
Dresden is the capital city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. The Dresden conurbation is part of the Saxon Triangle metropolitan area....
. A formation of P-51s of the 55th Fighter Group spotted SG 77's aircraft preparing to take-off. 116-kill 'ace' Oberleutnant 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...
and two other pilots were taking off when the American fighters appeared. The FW 190s jettisoned their bombs and tried to escape but all three were shot down, Lambert being killed in his FW 190 F-8 'Black 9 + ' north of Hoyerswerda
Hoyerswerda
Hoyerswerda is the largest city in the district of Bautzen in the German state of Saxony. It is located in Lusatia, a region where many people speak the Sorbian languages in addition to German.-Geography:...
. Seven other FW 190s were destroyed or badly damaged on the ground at Kamenz by the P-51s.
Geschwaderkommodore
- Major Helmut BruckHelmut BruckHelmut Bruck was a highly decorated Oberst 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 – 15 February 1945 - Obstleutnant Manfred Mossinger, 16 February 1945 – 8 May 1945
I./SG 77
- Major Werner Roell, 18 October 1943 – 1 December 1943
- Major Karl HenzeKarl HenzeKarl Henze 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 December 1943 – 1 February 1945 - Hauptmann Hans-Joachim BrandHans-Joachim BrandHans-Joachim Brand was a highly decorated Hauptmann and ground attack pilot in the Luftwaffe during World War II.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...
, 1 February 1945 – 16 April 1945
III./SG 77
- Hauptman Franz KieslichFranz KieslichFranz Kieslich was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. 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 – 19 February 1945 - Hauptman Gerhard StüdemannGerhard StüdemannGerhard "Stutz" Stüdemann was a highly decorated Hauptmann 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...
, 20 February 1945 – 8 May 1945