Jagdflieger by Robert Stedman

Author:Robert Stedman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Jagdflieger: Luftwaffe Fighter Pilot 1939–45
ISBN: 9781780969831
Publisher: Osprey Publishing

ON CAMPAIGN

Command and logistics

Any frontline Gruppe or Staffel could be temporarily reassigned to another Geschwader, as demanded by tactical requirements, expediency or simple geographical convenience. Although the attached unit then came under operational command of the new Geschwader, its parent command retained responsibility for its logistics – arranging fuel and ordnance deliveries, replacing personnel losses, fulfilling maintenance and spares requirements, as well as organizing pay and victuals for its men. While this arrangement must have seemed like a good idea in peacetime Germany, wartime realities quickly demonstrated its obvious drawbacks. It was scrapped in June 1940 immediately following the French armistice, and thereafter each Geschwader assumed full administrative responsibility for all attached units while they were under its command.

Operational airstrips

Unless the unit was fortunate enough to take over an established military or civil airfield, with concrete, block-paved or tarmac runways, the majority had to operate from grass fields or even emergency strips. The grass fields offered benefits and disadvantages – the former, primarily, being that large circular fields always enabled aircraft to land into the wind, the ideal approach. Although the earth gave softer initial contact on landing, unless the strip was perfectly flattened the run-out could be a little bumpy, putting some stress upon landing gear and airframe. Airfield maintenance personnel, assisted by any temporarily unoccupied mechanics, were constantly employed in the upkeep of the runway, flattening out all imperfections and gouges with giant rollers dragged behind tractors.

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