Kampfgeschwader 53

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=Kampfgeschwader 53


caption=
dates=1939-1945
country=Germany
allegiance=flagicon|Nazi Germany Nazi Germany
branch=Luftwaffe
type=Bomber Squadron
role= Tactical and Direct Ground Support.
size=Air Force Wing
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garrison=
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= Legion Condor
patron=
motto=
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battles=
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Kampfgeschwader 53 "Legion Condor" (English: "Condor Legion") (KG 53) was a Luftwaffe bomber wing during World War Two.Its units participated on all of the fronts in the European Theatre until it was disbanded in May 1945. It operated three of the major German bomber types: the Dornier Do 17, Heinkel He 111 and the Junkers Ju 88.

History

"Kampfgeschwader 53" was formed on 1 May 1939 at Ansbach, Germany with "Stab"./KG 53, I "Gruppe", II "Gruppe" and III "Gruppe".

Wartime service

=Poland=

The Geschwader was initially put on "standby" in western Germany, inase of an Allied offensive. As a result, most of its "Gruppen" did not see action in the campaign. I./KG 53 was put under the command of "Luftflotte 1". It had a strength of 31 He 111s, all serviceable. It was committed from the first day, but on 6 September it was moved to "Luftflotte 4". The "Gruppe" lost only 1 aircraft in the campaign. [de Zeng 2007, Vol 1, p. 162 - 163.]

Denmark and Norway

The "Geschwader" undertook training during the campaign, and did not take part in the battle.

=France and the Low Countries=

I./KG 53 flew support missions against supply and rail targets in the Reims area. Later targets in Abbeville, Amiens, Rouen and Arras were attacked. I./KG 53 recorded zero losses in the first two days. [de Zeng 2007, Vol 1, p. 163.] II./KG had 36 He 111s on strength and participated at the Sedan breakthrough, attacking targets around Lille, and supported I./KG 53. [de Zeng 2007, Vol 1, p. 165.]

Battle of Britain

Assigned to "Luftflotte 2" I./KG 54 was relocated to Wevelgem, Belgium on 1 July 1940. It carried out operations over Britain until 11 May. It remained inactive until 18 June when it was withdrawn to Poland.II./KG 53 continued until the same date. Its targets included night attacks against RAF Fighter Commands airfields, most in East Anglia. III./KG 53 continued to support the other "Gruppen", all of which were involved in the 15 September raid.

=Eastern Front=

The Geschwader supported the operations of Army Group Centre in the initial phase of the war in the east. It participated in the Battle of Białystok-Minsk‎, Battle of Brody, Battle of Kiev and Battle of Smolensk. It supported the push to capture Moscow, which resulted in the failed Battle of Moscow. It was withdrawn to Germany to rest in December 1941– January 1942.

KG 53 supported "Fall Blau" and the German Sixth Army at the Battle of Stalingrad, and took part in the desperate resupply operation after the Russian counteroffensive had encircled the Sixth Army.Attacks were also carried out in northern Russia, against Leningrad. Strategic bombing attacks were also conducted against Gorki in June 1943, aimed at the Tank factory at "Gorkovskiy Avtomobilniy". All of GAZ No. 1 plants 50 buildings, 9,000 metres of conveyers, 5,900 units of equipment and 8,000 tank engines were destroyed. [Bergström 2007 p. 20.] The "Kampfgeschwader" supported "Operation Citadel", and the subsequent Battle of Kursk. On 14 October 1943 the unit took part in a short strategic bombing campaign in Russia. USAAF formations had been flying shuttle missions to Soviet territory after bombing German targets. The operation, named "Zaunkönig", struck at American airfields in Russia, as well as Soviet targets. KG 53 and KG 55 took part in the attack. The Russians failed to defend these aircraft from Luftwaffe attacks and the bombing destroyed some 44 B-17 bombers and damaged 26 others. Another 15 fighters were also destroyed. However, the Soviets began Operation Bagration soon after, and the "Kampfgeschwaders" switched back to supporting ground forces. [Bergstrom 2008, p. 33.] [de Zeng "et al", 2007, Vol.1, p. 170.] [Scutts 1994, p. 31-32.]

Most of the units "Gruppes" were disbanded by October 1944. It appears that the last unit, 14.(Eis)/KG 3 was disbanded on 4 March 1945; its remaining personnel went to KG 76.

=Western Front=

KG 53 was withdrawn from the Eastern Front in August 1944 and began operations over Britain, flying bomber equipped V-1 flying bombs . Operations were suspended on 25 January 1945, due to fuel shortages, Allied defences and the inability to see the results. [de Zeng "et al" Vol.1 2007, p. 170.]

References

Bibliography

*Bergström, Christer (2007). "Barbarossa - The Air Battle: July-December 1941". London: Chervron/Ian Allen. ISBN 978-1-85780-270-2.
*Bergstrom, Christer (2007). "Stalingrad - The Air Battle: November 1942 - February 1943". London: Chervron/Ian Allen. ISBN 978-1-85780-276-4 .
*Bergström, Christer (2007). "Kursk - The Air Battle: July 1943". London: Chervron/Ian Allen. ISBN 978-1-903223-88-8.
* de Zeng, H.L; Stanket, D.G; Creek, E.J. Bomber Units of the Luftwaffe 1933-1945; A Reference Source, Volume 1. Ian Allen Publishing, 2007. ISBN 978-1-85780-279-5