Sturzkampfgeschwader 1
| Sturzkampfgeschwader 1 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 1939–43 |
| Country |
 Nazi Germany
|
| Branch |
 Luftwaffe
|
| Type | Dive bomber |
| Role | Close air support |
| Size | Air Force Wing |
| Engagements |
Battles of Narvik Battle of Dunkirk Operation Eagle Attack |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
Geschwaderkennung of A5, became SG 1 in October 1943. |
Sturzkampfgeschwader 1 (StG 1) was a Luftwaffe Dive bomber-wing of World War II. It was formed in November 1939. StG 1 was formed in November 1939 and remained active until October 1943, when all Sturzkampfgeschwader were renamed Schlachtgeschwader 1 (SG 1).
Fliegerkorps X was the only Luftwaffe fleet to take part in the campaign and I Gruppe StG 1 was the only component of StG 1 to take part. Part of the Corps' order of battle was I. Gruppe StG 1, equipped with longer ranged Junkers Ju 87R as well as the standard Ju 87Bs. The unit was initially based at Kiel-Holtenau. On 9 April I./StG took part in raids against Oscarsborg Fortress after the Norwegian coastal fortress had sunk the heavy cruiser Blücher. Soon afterwards the gruppe was takes with naval interdiction. Its primary target was the Royal Navy's Home Fleet. The same day, the unit hit the 600 ton torpedo boat Æger in the engine room. It was run aground and scuttled. The unit's first loss occurred on 19 April. While attacking HMS Cairo, Leutnant Karl Pfeil and his gunner Gerhard Winkels were shot down and captured near Namsos. The same day, a British raid by Fleet Air Arm Blackburn Skua and Fairey Swordfish Aircraft destroyed six Ju 87s near Trondhiem/Værnes from carriers HMS Ark Royal and HMS Glorious. Ju 87s did manage to sink anti-submarine trawlers Siretoko, Jardine and Warwickshire. HMS Bittern was badly damaged and sunk by HMS Juno. Later, on 1 May 1940, I. Gruppe failed to hit Ark Royal during an interdiction against British naval forces off the coast.Staffelkapitan of 2 Staffel, Oberleutnant Heinz Böhme claimed to have hit the carrier (he did not) and failed to mention in his report that he lost one of his Ju 87s (Oberfeldwebel Erich Stahl and Unteroffizier Friedrich Gott) to two Sea Gladiators of No. 802 Squadron RAF. This was the only loss on 1 May.
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