Kampfgeschwader 3
| Kampfgeschwader 3 | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1939–45 |
| Country |
 Nazi Germany
|
| Branch |
 Luftwaffe
|
| Type | Bomber unit |
| Role | Tactical and Direct Ground Support. |
| Size | Air Force Wing |
| Nickname(s) | Blitz |
| Engagements |
Polish Campaign German invasion of Denmark (1940) Norwegian Campaign Battle of the Netherlands Battle of Belgium Battle of France German invasion of Yugoslavia Battle of Greece Battle of Crete |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
Geschwaderkennung of 5K |
Kampfgeschwader 3 "Blitz" (KG 3) was a Luftwaffe bomber wing during World War II . Its units participated on all of the fronts in the European Theatre until it was disbanded in September–October 1944. It operated two of the major German bomber types; the Dornier Do 17 and the Junkers Ju 88.
Kampfgeschwader 3 was formed on 1 May 1939 at Fürstenwalde in eastern Germany with Stab./KG 3, II Gruppe and III Gruppe. I Gruppe was not formed until September 1939 near Magdeburg, made up of personnel from II., and III.Gruppe. While training in the summer of 1939 the Geschwader "worked up" on the Dornier Do 17Z. III./KG 3 did not become operational until April 1940 and consequently missed the Polish Campaign.
During the Polish campaign II. and III. Gruppes operated from Heiligenbeil in East Prussia. The unit participated in the Battle of Bzura, and carried out raids in the areas of Tczew, Narew, Praha and Warsaw. The Geschwader ceased attacks on 21 September and were ordered to western Germany to face a possible Allied attack. KG 3 had committed 9 Dorniers of its Stab unit, 38 from II./KG 3, and 39 from III./KG 3. The unit did not participate in Operation Weserübung but instead spent the spring training and resting in preparation for the decisive western offensive in 1940.
KG 3 began the campaign in the west with a strength of 112 Do 17s and Ju 88s, with 92 Serviceable. KG supported the offensive through the Ardennes and Belgium, later bombed the Allied ports Ostend and Dunkirk, during the Allied evacuation. II./KG 3 supported the crucial breakthrough at Sedan. Other elements supported the drive to the Swiss border, encircling the French forces on the Maginot Line. For operations over Britain KG 3 was moved to airfields at St Trond and Le Culot in Belgium.
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