-
Старший инструктор
Итак ... ЧАСТЬ 2, миссия 101 (с) by Вантала
Date: June 1 1942
Time: 12.40 hrs.
Weather: Clear
Good afternoon, I'm Oberstleutnant Guenther Luetzlow acting Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 3. I heard about your comment to Hitler. Actually, everyone has. Since being reprimanded and relegated to flying transport aircraft for the past four months a number of Kommodores specifically requested you as a staffelkapitan in their geschwaders; Nordmann, Ihlefeld, Trautloft... especially Major Trautloft of Jagdgeschwader 54. Fortune, however, brings you here to us in southern Russia. The Ukraine...
Things were difficult here in the opening phase of Barbarossa. This is where Soviet forces were the strongest, not to mention their commander, General Kirponos, had managed to establish his defense in depth as opposed to lining his forces along the frontier at the outbreak of hostilities. Unfortunatly, for the Soviets, Kirponos rushed his tank formations into battle before they could deploy effectively. The latter decision proved costly. Despite the superiority of their T-34 main battle tanks the Soviet armored forces were destroyed.
To summarize, the reduction of the southern front between the Pripet Marshes and the Carpathian mountains took much longer than expected. In the air we encountered more modern aircraft than on other fronts, and, though their pilots fought bravely, they lacked the necessary training and experience to gain air superiority.
Following the fall of Kiev and the Soviet winter counteroffensive, by May Army Group South was ready to once again conduct offensive operations. General Manstein's forces drove south against (3) Soviet Armies in Operation Trappenjagd. The Red Army barricaded the narrow (18km) wide Parpach Isthmus on the access road from the Crimea to the Kerch Peninsula. Each kilometer of this land bridge was defended by (10,000) Soviet troops, or, an average of (10) men per meter. Though the Red Army had three times as many troops as Manstein's forces by May 16th the Wehrmacht had smashed (170,000) troops and opened the door to the south and the oilfields of the Caucasus. Almost a day later the Red Army launched an offensive of their own to take Kharkov but we had encircled and destroyed the Red Army forces capturing (293,000) prisoners, (1,250) tanks, and (2,036) guns.
As for now the majority of the Fourth Air Fleet commanded by General Richthofen are committed in the capture of the fortress of Sevastopol. You, however, will remain here. Jagdgeschwader 3 was re-assembled back on the southern front in late spring, with the Stab and II. Gruppe returning from the Mediterranean, and III./JG 3 being brought back from the Lake Ilmen area in the north. The old I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 3 and its pilots were redesignated as II./JG 1and transfered to the west. Therefore, I need someone with a great deal of jabo experience to train these pilots. You will assume the duties of Staffelkapitan 1./Jagdgeschwader 3 inheriting a somewhat inexperienced group with regards to combat experience. You will train these pilots to work like a team and to conduct jabo missions with the new Bf-109G-2, or, as we call them, "Gustavs". Though heavier than the "Friedrichs", and, therefore, less manueverable, the "Gustav" is faster, has better range, and is capable of carrying varying ordnance, including (2xMG 151/20) Gunpods underneath its wings. The latter was designed in order to increase the effectiveness of our jagdfliegers against bombers. Most of the pilots here, including myself, still prefer the "Friedrich".
As for now I will escort you to the front lines in order for you to familiarize yourself with the "Gustav". Engage Soviet ground units at a low-level of altitude. Flak has been light but the enemy fires everything it can at our machines. Hauptman Betram told me he even caught some auxillery troops throwing stones at his plane last week. Arm your aircraft with (1X250kg) bombs and delay your bomb fuzes. Strike enemy fortified positions and then return to our airfield. As for fuel fill your machine at 50%-25% capacity. Less is lighter, and lighter means more manueverable.
In addition, I would also reconsider any efforts to engage enemy aircraft. Though you will find the Bolsheviks equipped with many outdated machines due to their losses in the Kharkov offensive they are now far more experienced than what you're accustomed to. Our main opponents have been the 235 IAD commanded by Podpolkovnik I.D.Podgomiy. This division consists entirely of British Hurricanes and is made-up of the 46 IAP, the 191 IAP, and the 436 IAP. Of these units the 191 IAP stands above the others. It's pilots are excellent. The 436 IAP is competent but once the flight leader goes down the remaining pilots tend to panic. The 46 IAP lacks the skill to engage in prolonged dogfights. The other regiment we have encountered frequently are the "Ratas" of 4 IAP. Avoid them. With no less than (8) "aces" in their ranks they are one ot the most formidable regiments we are familiar with. Currently, intelligence reports indicate that Leytenant Boris Telegrin of the 4 IAP and Leytenant Stepan Novichov of the 191 IAP are currently patroling east of our intended area of operations.
As far as enemy regiment strength and skills are concerned I will keep you informed of further developments through your Gruppenkomandeur, Hauptmann Michalek. In the air Michalek is consistant, cautious, and intelligent. He usually flys with the Stabsschwarm as do most of our higher-ranking officers. That brings us to a subject that, perhaps, I need to address...
I realize you might be concerned with the fact your scoring will be affected with regards to commanding a "gruppe-in-training". Allow me to assauge your concerns. When not flying with your gruppe you will be afforded the chance to conduct combat air patrols with our very best pilots. We have some outstanding aviators here...Leutnant Kirschner, Hauptmann Kurt Brandle, Hauptmann Walther Dahl, Oberleutnant Victor Bauer, and Hauptmann Wolf-Dietrich Wilke. The latter was brought in from III./ Jagdgeschwader 53 to serve as our regular leader in the air in May but I can assure you he'll be more than happy to allow you to command a few flights with our top pilots. As for now I will accompany you in my "Friedrich". Though banned from combat following my (100th) victory I still try to find that elusive excuse to fly. This is another reason I'm discouraging you from a freie Jagd following your jabo run. Unless there is an "involuntary encounter" I will be unable to assist you. With that stated...
Welcome to Jagdgeschwader/3 "Udet".
Крайний раз редактировалось deSAD; 24.06.2003 в 16:53.
There are only two types of aircraft - fighters and targets

Ваши права
- Вы не можете создавать новые темы
- Вы не можете отвечать в темах
- Вы не можете прикреплять вложения
- Вы не можете редактировать свои сообщения
-
Правила форума