Gefechtsverband KdE

Gefechtsverband Kommando der Erprobungsstellen

The closing months of the war saw Germany constantly scraping together makeshift formations in the hope of somehow keeping fighting. In the Luftwaffe, one such was the Gefechtsverband Kommando der Erprobungsstellen (Battle Unit of the Trials Establshments Command).

The first intimation of this measure recieved by the Allies came in a message of 23 January 1945 from a Maj. Großholz of Erprobungsstelle Rechlin advising that the “surrender at short notice” of operationally serviceable aircraft of the following types was a possibility: the Bf 109, Fw 190, Ar 234, Me 262, Ju 88, “8-108” (almost certainly an error for “8-188”) and He 111 H-6. Accordingly, they should only carry out test flights with full operational armament and bomb-dropping, altitude and radio equipment, so long as this did not impede the tests being undertaken. Lists of aircraft available should be presented at the commander’s conference in Rechlin two days hence. On the 30th, KdE was advising the General Staff that the organisation plan had been amended, replacing with E.-Kdo. Ta 152 with Stabsstaffel JG 301, subordinated to that Geschwader for operations. A telegram the following day called for preparations to be made in case the situation on the ground halted the testing programme; if that happened, the usable aircraft and their pilots must be ready to operate against the enemy. Receipt of the codeword “Gneisenau” would trigger the immediate establishment of Gefechtsverband KdE in Rechlin with all operationally ready Me 262, Ar 234, Bf 109, Fw 190, Ta 152, Ju 88, Ju 188 and He 111 aircraft and crews in the experimental establishments. The intended set up was:

Stab	Oberst Petersen	Rechlin

Jagdstaffel	Bf 109 (G-6 or later)	Roggentin
Jabostaffel	Fw 190 (A-8 or later)	Roggentin
Jagdstaffel	Ta 152	Roggentin
(for as long as Stabsstaffel JG 301 is subordinated to JG 301, Staffelkapitän Hptm. Stolle)

Aufklärungs- und Schnellkampstaffel	Ar 234	Lärz
Jagd- und Jabostaffel	Me 262	Lärz
Nachtkampfstaffel	He 111 (H-6 or later)	Lärz
Nachtkampfstaffel	Ju 88/188 (A-4 or later)	Lärz
Reservestaffel	Flying personnel, no aircraft	Lärz
NOTE: The selection of Lärz for the jets and the bomber types was no doubt influenced by its concrete runways whereas Rechlin and Roggentin had grass take-off and landing areas.

Petersen was to appoint Staffelführer from amongst the personnel of the experimental establishments. Rechlin issuing the codeword “Blücher” would mean that the operationally useable aircraft were to be transferred there or to Lärz along with their aircrew and chief mechanics and to report to their nominated Staffelführer. Operationally-ready aircrew for whom there were no machines should be sent off to Rechlin, followed as quickly as possible by any aircraft which could subsequently made serviceable. Expected strength should be reported to the command post within two hours. Staffeln should also report whether they could be reached by telephone or runner. Rechlin would be responsible for all supplies and servicing (with about 20–30 groundcrew per Staffel except for the Ta 152 and reserve units). Vehicles allotted were a Kettenkrad half-track motorcycle, one car and two lorries along with any available vehicles suitable for towing aircraft). Bombs and ammunition should be taken from the stocks to hand and the same applied for fuel.

Orders were relayed on 31 January to all the Erprobungsstellen, referring to discussions at a conference on the 25th. Everyone was to report the expected strength of the units they were to raise. It was "of decisive significance” that aircraft bring their own bombs. On 3 February Luftflotte 6 was notified of aircraft that could be made available from various home establishments in the 1. Jagd Division area for operations on the Eastern Front. The Kommando der Erprobungsstellen could offer:

	Jagdstaffel Roggentin	6	Ta 152
	Jagdstaffel Roggentin	10	Bf 109
	Jagdstaffel Lärz	4	Me 262
	Schnellkampfstaffel Lärz	4	Ar 234
	Jabostaffel Roggentin	12–15	Fw 190
	NS Staffel Lärz	10 8 3	Ju 88 He 111 Ju 188
Note: See here for the full list of aircraft offered by 1./Jagd Div. for deployment in the East.

By 9 February a Maj. Bader was able to report that, in accordance with a Führungsstab order of the 1st a Gefechtsverband had been established as follows, distributed between Rechlin and its satellites, Roggenthin and Lärz:

	Stabsstaffel	8	Ta 152
	Jagdstaffel	9	Bf 109
	Jagdstaffel	4	Me 262
	Schnellkampfstaffel	9	Ar 234
	Nachtschlachtstaffel	10	He 111
	Nachtschlachtstaffel	17	Ju 88 / Ju 188
Note: compared to the initial scheme the Fw 190 Jabostaffel and the Reservestaffel had dropped out; the Me 262s were pure fighters; The Arados had no reconnaissance role; while the Heinkel and Junkers units were now Nachtschlachtstaffeln rather than night bombers.. Whether the Gefechtsverband or any of its elements ever went into action is not known.

Sources

National Archives, Kew, London

HW 5/651: CX/MSS/T438/47

HW 5/661: CX/MSS/T457/39

Bundesarchiv-Militärarchiv, Freiburg-im-Breisgau

RL 2-III/45: Aufstellung, Umbildung, Umbenennung und Auflösung.- Sammlung von Verfügungen, Dienstanweisungen, Organisationsplänen und Geschäftsverteilungsplänen, Band 23 (Januar–Februar 1945)

RL 3/2572: Chef TLR Anlagen zum Kriegstagebuch, Band 5 (1944–1945)

RL 3/2574: Chef TLR Anlagen zum Kriegstagebuch, Band 7 (1944–1945)

RL 7-6/11: Luftflotte 6, Anlagen zum Kriegstagebuch, Band 4 (Februar 1945)

A composite Luftwaffe unit formed in response to the multiplying crises of 1945 (click on the map to enlarge it):