I guess this is Erich´s question but anybody with thoughts or info on this can and should answer! Field Marshal Hugo Sperrle was the commander of Luftlotte 3 that was situated in France. I read that to satisfy his vanity Goering as well gave Sperrle two air districts over Germany to protect against bomber attacks. This lasted until August 1944 when France was lost.( 1941-1944 ?) Did this have any special meaning as to strengthening the Reich´s defence if all areas over Germany would have been ruled by one defence commandment?
He wasn't named after Wien's incredible Kaffe haus was he ? Cafe Sperrl ?.......sorry I just had too Kai a little light hearted humor ah the world is a pretty screwed up mess right now..... ok back to your question. The Reich was divided up into at least 4 to 5 protective zones surrounded by flak batteries, especially in the larger cities and the Ruhr Gebeit especially as the major industry center of Germany. with this there was of course day and night fighter set-ups with sufficient radar establishments along the western border from the nordsee/Holland to southern Norway running down to the south of Paris, France. this highlight was in July of 1943. There were air units in France, Holland for attacks to the north, central and around Berlin and to the south in Austria, Hungary. When the Normandy campaign was over at the end of August 1944, some installations were disbanded, and of course captured but new ones were set up the in the west of Germany. Primary radar and radio beacon housings were in the center and in the south around Nürnburg. In and around Berlin were the usual heavy emplacements. In July 1943 a mandate was given that all primary Reich units were to be used for defence of the interior. This included all single engine and certain twin engine units to change over from bombing missions and being re-equipped with heavy cannon and rockets and to fly as heavy escorts against the US bomber formations. The Ju 88C's and the Bf 110G's. As to having a single Kommandeur to cover such a large area I am not sure if it would have been feasible. Since Flak was under one person and relied upon itslef and quite independent of the day and night fighter forces. Also both the air units had their own inspectors who would visit the supporting gruppen and then answer back through channels to the Führer himself.
Thanx for the info again, Erich! Here´s a site for Luftwaffe order of battle 1945: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/2072/LWOB45.html Veeerrryyy interesting!! And other stuff like some memoirs by Nachtjäger - Oblt. Rudolf Thun!!!
I hope you could understand my fleeting comments Kai ..... thanks for the link and I have Rudi's bio and story from some 9 years ago. Basically late 1944 Göring had no control over the Luftwaffe day and night fighter forces. They were pretty much segmented and the only leader looked up to was Addi Galland, and once he got stripped of his rank or I should say his heading by "Fatty" a conspricacy was formed of mostly day fighter pilots but was backed by the bomber and NF truppen. This was to oust the fat man from his leadership roles and Galland was to fill the position and from here look to the western Allies as to the best means of an honourable surrender. Of course this never took place and Galland was ordered from higher up to form his 262 unit the Galland Circus
