Schnellkampfgeschwader 210
Encyclopedia
Schnellkampfgeschwader 210 (SKG 210) was a Luftwaffe
fast bomber wing of the Second World War. The unit was created in April 1941 and absorbed by the Zerstörergeschwader 1
on 4 January 1942.
. However, such were the delays in that aircraft’s development that the unit was utilised to develop tactical and strategic practices required to operate the in-service Bf 110 in the fighter-bomber and ground-attack role.
1.Staffel was formed from 1 staffel, ZG 1 commanded by Hpt. Martin Lutz, a Spanish war veteran with 2 confirmed kills. 2. Staffel was formed from the already battle-seasoned 3.Staffel, StG 77 under Oblt. Wilhelm-Richard Rössiger.
3.Staffel had its origins within 4 (jagd)./Träger Gruppe.186. This unit was originally raised to equip the German aircraft-carrier Graf Zeppelin
, which was launched in 1938 but never commissioned. Using the Bf 110C-6 (equipped with the MG-101 30mm cannon), the Bf 110D-0 and Bf 109E-4B fighter bombers, the unit carried out anti-shipping operations during the initial stages of the Battle of Britain
.
Switching to low level precision bombing operations in August, Eprgr. 210 targeted RAF fighter airfields, often using the element of surprise due to their low level approach and causing extensive damage. Losses could be often high however, as on 15 August 1940 when the unit lost 6 Bf 110s and a Bf 109, including Hpt.Rubensdorffer.
, undertaking missions against shipping and land-based targets. The unit, comprising Stab., I. and II. gruppen, then moved East to prepare for the attack on Soviet Russia as part of Fliegerkorps II and originally based at Radzyn
.
Some 50 servicable Bf 110s took part in Operation Barbarossa
from three units; ZG 26, Schnellkampfgeschwader 210 and ZG 76. The Bf 110 gave valuable support to the German Army, carrying out strike missions in the face of heavy AA and ground defences. In the opening air strikes, on 22 June, SKG 210 claimed 344 Soviet aircraft destroyed, more than any other unit, for the loss of 7 Bf 110s destroyed and damaged. A large number of ground kills were achieved by these Bf 110 units in the east. SKG 210 flew in support of the advancing Army Group Centre advance to Moscow in 1941, and with the coming of winter SKG 210 continued to operate in support of the army,covering their retreat. Between 22 June 1941 and 22 September 1941 the unit claimed some 519 Soviet aircraft, 1,700 vehicles and 83 tanks destroyed for 57 Bf 110s lost to enemy action.
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....
fast bomber wing of the Second World War. The unit was created in April 1941 and absorbed by the Zerstörergeschwader 1
Zerstörergeschwader 1
Zerstörergeschwader 1 or ZG 1 was a Luftwaffe heavy/destroyer Fighter Aircraft-wing of World War II.-History:...
on 4 January 1942.
Origins 1940
SKG 210 had its origins in Erprobungsgruppe 210,(‘Test Wing 210’) formed at Köln-Ostheim airfield under the command of Hptm. Walter Rubensdorffer in July 1940. The unit initially raised to oversee the testing and operational development of the newly introduced Messerschmitt Me 210Messerschmitt Me 210
The Messerschmitt Me 210 was a German heavy fighter and ground-attack aircraft of World War II. The Me 210 was designed to replace the Bf 110 in heavy fighter role; design started before the opening of World War II. The first examples of the Me 210 were ready in 1939, but they proved to have poor...
. However, such were the delays in that aircraft’s development that the unit was utilised to develop tactical and strategic practices required to operate the in-service Bf 110 in the fighter-bomber and ground-attack role.
1.Staffel was formed from 1 staffel, ZG 1 commanded by Hpt. Martin Lutz, a Spanish war veteran with 2 confirmed kills. 2. Staffel was formed from the already battle-seasoned 3.Staffel, StG 77 under Oblt. Wilhelm-Richard Rössiger.
3.Staffel had its origins within 4 (jagd)./Träger Gruppe.186. This unit was originally raised to equip the German aircraft-carrier Graf Zeppelin
German aircraft carrier Graf Zeppelin
German aircraft carrier Graf Zeppelin was the lead ship in a class of two carriers ordered by the Kriegsmarine. She was the only aircraft carrier launched by Germany during World War II and represented part of the Kriegsmarine's attempt to create a well-balanced oceangoing fleet, capable of...
, which was launched in 1938 but never commissioned. Using the Bf 110C-6 (equipped with the MG-101 30mm cannon), the Bf 110D-0 and Bf 109E-4B fighter bombers, the unit carried out anti-shipping operations during the initial stages of 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...
.
Switching to low level precision bombing operations in August, Eprgr. 210 targeted RAF fighter airfields, often using the element of surprise due to their low level approach and causing extensive damage. Losses could be often high however, as on 15 August 1940 when the unit lost 6 Bf 110s and a Bf 109, including Hpt.Rubensdorffer.
1941
By the time the unit was re-designated I. Gruppe, Schnellkampfgeschwader 210 in April 1941 the unit was based at AbbevilleAbbeville
Abbeville is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Location:Abbeville is located on the Somme River, from its modern mouth in the English Channel, and northwest of Amiens...
, undertaking missions against shipping and land-based targets. The unit, comprising Stab., I. and II. gruppen, then moved East to prepare for the attack on Soviet Russia as part of Fliegerkorps II and originally based at Radzyn
Radzyn
There are two cities in Poland known as Radzyń:* Radzyń Chełmiński, a town in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodship* Radzyń Podlaski, a town in the Lublin Voivodship*Radzyń, Łódź Voivodeship, a village in central Poland...
.
Some 50 servicable Bf 110s took part in Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was the code name for Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II that began on 22 June 1941. Over 4.5 million troops of the Axis powers invaded the USSR along a front., the largest invasion in the history of warfare...
from three units; ZG 26, Schnellkampfgeschwader 210 and ZG 76. The Bf 110 gave valuable support to the German Army, carrying out strike missions in the face of heavy AA and ground defences. In the opening air strikes, on 22 June, SKG 210 claimed 344 Soviet aircraft destroyed, more than any other unit, for the loss of 7 Bf 110s destroyed and damaged. A large number of ground kills were achieved by these Bf 110 units in the east. SKG 210 flew in support of the advancing Army Group Centre advance to Moscow in 1941, and with the coming of winter SKG 210 continued to operate in support of the army,covering their retreat. Between 22 June 1941 and 22 September 1941 the unit claimed some 519 Soviet aircraft, 1,700 vehicles and 83 tanks destroyed for 57 Bf 110s lost to enemy action.
Geschwaderkommodore
- Major Walter StorpWalter StorpWalter Storp was a German World War II Luftwaffe bomber pilot and commander of various bomber wings. Walter Storp was the twenty-second recipient of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves on 14 July 1941...
, 24 April 1941 – 30 September 1941 - Major Arved CrügerArved CrügerArved Crüger was a Luftwaffe wing commander during World War II and Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipient. He married the German movie actress Carola Höhn in 1941. He was appointed Geschwaderkommodore of Kampfgeschwader 77 in 1942...
, 30 September 1941 – January 1942
I./SKG 210
- Hauptmann Karl-Heinz Stricker, 24 April 1941 – 13 September 1941
- Major Ulrich DiesingUlrich DiesingUlrich Diesing was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. On 17 April 1945, Ulrich Diesing was killed in an...
, 15 September 1941 – January 1942