www.forums.luftwaffedata.co.uk

Guys,

I am currently collating notes on this unit for a new page on the wiki.

Any additional information about operations, aircraft, personnel etc would be greatly appreciated.

Hello,

On this page you will find several losses 3./123.

http://www.absa39-45.asso.fr/airfield/p ... waffe.html

Dan,

Many thanks for the link I will start to post some updates to the 123 page during the next month.

I have copies of the Avions articles on 2./123 which I will also be using to expand the notes that I already have on 123 so your additional loss notes are much appreciated.

Still working on the 123 notes and will be updating the Wiki page soon - may even start to split this into multiple pages along similar lines to the separate AufklGr 122 pages.

If asnyone feels that they have information to contribute to this or other Wiki pages please contact the undersigned either via PM or by posting on the Forum.

Hi Andy,

Not sure if I've given you these notes before or not, or if you already have them, but here they are:


Source: AWM 54 423/4/103 Part 118, War Diary of Luftflotte 3 (Western Front), September, 1944
Translated by Air Ministry, A.H.B.6 10th September, 1949

Aufklärungsgruppe 123 Operations, September 1944

Note: operational strength probably refers to the number of sorties flown, rather than the number of aircraft on strength with the unit - AA

1 September 1944
Operational strength: 2 aircraft

O.K.L. Operations Staff order to Aufklärungsgruppe 123 and II. Jagdkorps:

Owing to the speed of developments in the West involving delay in receiving reports, Luftflotte 3 will carry out extensive reconnaissance operations to help clarify the situation.

These reconnaissance operations must be carried out over concentration areas, the gap between Army Group B and Army Group G, and also over the main enemy wedges. In addition the situation of German forces must also be frequently reconnoitred, especially in the case of units that have been cut off.

It is stressed that all reports must be sent to the Army H.Q. authorities responsible and to O.K.L. Operations Staff as quickly as possible.

2 September 1944
Operational strength: 2

3 September 1944
Operational strength: 4

The following will be transferred:
1.(F)/123 from Niedermendig to Linburg
4.(F)/123 from Trier-Euren to Niedermendig
5.(F)/123 from Trier-Euren to Hagenau
Aufklärungstaffel Kaatsch from Dijon to Luzeuil

4 September 1944
Operational strength: 2

5 September 1944
Operational strength: 1

Owing to ground organisation difficulties and consequent difficulties in accommodating flying units, Fliegerkorps IX, II. Jagdkorps, and Aufklärungsgruppe 123 are instructed not to transfer flying units before consulting Luftflotte 3 H.Q. Only diversion of units to alternative airfields is still left to the discretion of unit commanders.

6 September 1944
6.(F)/123 will transfer to Köthen.

7 September 1944
Sonderkommando Kaatsch: 6 aircraft carried out armed reconnaissance operations during the course of the day.

8 September 1944

9 September 1944

10 September 1944

11 September 1944
5.(F)/123 to transfer immediately from Hagenau to Buer-Gelsenkirchen.

12 September 1944
Operational strength: 7

Aufklärungsgruppe 123: 1 enemy aircraft destroyed

13 September 1944
Operational strength: 7

14 September 1944
Only slight Luftwaffe reconnaissance operations were carried out during the day.

15 September 1944

16 September 1944
4.(F)/123 to transfer from Niedermendig to Limburg.

17 September 1944
Operational strength: 4

18 September 1944
Operational strength: 13

19 September 1944
Operational strength: 2 night, 7 day

Losses
Aufklärungsgruppe 123: 4 aircraft

20 September 1944
Operational strength: 1

Only small-scale reconnaissance operations were carried out during the day owing to weather conditions.

Losses
Aufklärungsgruppe 123: 1 Me 410

21 September 1944
Operational strength: 2

Aufklärungsgruppe 123 will withdraw the Kaatsch Staffel form operations and disband it on arrival of 2./N.A.Gr.13 in Freiburg.

22 September 1944
Only six reconnaissance aircraft were operational [unit not given – AA].

23 September 1944

24 September 1944
Operational strength: 8

25 September 1944

26 September 1944

27 September 1944
Operational strength: 6

Losses
Aufklärungsgruppe 123: 1 Me 410

28 September 1944
Operational strength: 8

Aufklärungsgruppe 123: 1 enemy aircraft destroyed, 1 probably destroyed

Losses
Aufklärungsgruppe 123: 1 Bf 109

29 September 1944
Operational strength: 4

Aufklärungsgruppe 123: 1 enemy aircraft forced down and set on fire

30 September 1944
2 Bf 109s of Aufklärungsgruppe 123 were lost on reconnaissance operations.

Operations by Aufklärungsgruppe 123 in the Mediterranean, April and May 1943


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Source: BA-MA RL 2 II/301 and BA-MA RL 2 II/301 [these are summaries of daily Luftwaffe operations passed on to Göring. – AA]

All missions were flown under X. Fliegerkorps.

25.04.43
1.) 2.(F) 123 mit 1 Ju 88, St. 05:56, Ldg. 09:30 Uhr.-
-- Kuestenvorfeldaufklaerung Tobruk – Ras Amer – durchgef., keine sichtung.-
Mit 2 Me 109, St. 10:45, Ldg. 15:58 Uhr.-
-- L.B. – Erkundung der Fl. Ple. im Raum Begasi – Derna. --
Hafen und Fl.Ple Bengasi durchgef. Derna wegen Brennstoffmangels und abwehr nicht durchgefuehrt.—

26.04.43
2.) 2 (F) 123 mit 1 Ju 88, St. 08:00 Uhr, Ldg. 12:40 Uhr.-
Kuestenvorfeldaufklaerung Kanais bis Ras Azzaz lueckenlos dgf
3.) 2 (F) 123 mit 1 Ju 88 Dora, St. 15:00 Uhr Ldg. 17:06 Uhr.
LB Port Said, Suez and Alexandria wegen technischer stoerung abgebrochen.-
4.) 2 (F) 123 mit 1 Ju 86, St. 13:00 Uhr, Ldg. 13:53 Uhr.-
LB Alexandria wegen technischer stoerung abgebrochen.-

27.04.43
2. (F) 123 mit 1 Ju 86 St. 09:56 Uhr, Ldg. 14:05 Uhr
-- Lb. Alexandrien – wegen nichterreichen der einsatzhoehe abgebrochen.=

28.04.43
2. (F) 123 mit 1 Ju 88 von 05:35 – 09:43 Uhr aufklaerung kuestenvorfeld Ras Aamer- Tobruk dgf. Keine sichtung.

2.) 2.(F)123 mit 1 Ju 86 von 12:03 – 18:07 Uhr
-- LB. Alex. – Dgf. Abwehr: Schwere maeszig liegende flak ueber Alexandrien.-]

4.) 2.(F) 123 mit 2 Me 109 von 11:10 – 13:38 Uhr
-- LB-Erkundung – Hafen Tobruk und Flugplaetze Tobruk – Derna.-
Auftrag von Tobruk – Tmimi durchgefuehrt, dann wegen Brennstoffmangels abgebrochen. Abwehr: Ueber Tobruk starke gutliegende schwere flak.-

29.04.43
1.: 2.(F) 123 mit 1 Ju 88, Start 09:55 Uhr, Landung 15:49 Uhr.-
Kuestenvorfeldaufklaerung Alexandria – Kanais – Sollum durchgefuehrt.-
2.: Mit 2 Me 109, Start 13:55 Uhr, Landung 17:15 Uhr.-
Lb.- Erkundung Cypern. Lb. Nicosia und Larnaca durchgefuehrt 1 Me 109 wird vemiszt. Letztmalig bei anflug der westkueste gesichtet. Seenotsuche lauft.-

30.04.43
2.) 2./(F) 123 mit 1 Ju 88, Start 0945 Uhr, Ldg. 1530 Uhr.-
Stichaufklaerung vor Nildelta durchgefuehrt.-
Abwehr:
Jagd- und Zerstoererflgzg. Kein angriff.-
3.) 2./(F) 123 mit 1 Ju 88 Start 0945 Uhr, Ldg. 1352 Uhr.-
Kuestenvorfeldaufklaerung Cap Kanais bis Sollum Planmaeszig durchgef.-
4.) 2./(F) 123 mit 1 Ju 88 Start 1817 Uhr, Ldg 2034 Uhr
Aufklaerung und fuehlunghalten an um 1135 Uhr in 23 Ost 5221 gemeldetes westgeleit. Autrag wegen motorstoerung abgebrochen.-

01.05.43
1.) 2.(F)123 mit 2 Ju 88 St 0348 Uhr Ldg 0531 – 0600 Uhr
-- Seeaufklaerung gegen feindgeleit vor der Cyrenaika--
Wegen motorstoerung abgebrochen.-
2.) 2.(F)123 mit 1 Ju 88 St 0624 Uhr Ldg 0709 Uhr –
Auftrag wie vor – wegen techn. Stoerung abgebrochen.
3.) 2.(F) 123 mit 1 Ju 88 St 0748 Uhr LDg 0945 Uhr –
-- Auftrag wie vor – wegen angriffs durch 3 Zerstoererflugzeuge nur z.t. durchgefuehrt.-
4.) 2.(F) 123 mit 1 Ju 88 St 0838 Uhr LDg 1140 Uhr
-- Auftrag wie vor – keine sichtung. Wegen starken dunstes nicht lueckenlos.-
5.) 2.(F)123 mit 1 Ju 86 St 1054 Uhr Ldg 1424 Uhr
-- LB. Alex. -- wegen unguenstiger wetterlage (stark boeig, wolkenuntergrenze absinkend) abgebrochen.-

02.05.43
1.: 2.(F) 123 mit 2 Ju 88, Start 0559 Uhr, landung 0712 u. 1012 Uhr.-
Stichaufklaerung vor Alex. und aufklaerung kuestenvorfeld El Daba – Derna.-
1 Ju 88 auftrag lueckenlos durchgefuehrt, keine sichtung.-
1 Ju 88 auftrag wegen technische stoerungen vorzeitig abgebrochen.—


In addition, some ULTRA material

02.03.43
2.(F)/123 at Kastelli, Crete (VM5386).

23.03.43
2.(F)/123 at Kastelli, but it is intended to transfer to Athens-Tatoi (VM7337).

07.04.43
2.(F)/123 flew reconnaissance over Benghazi with Bf 109s from Crete (VM8840).

26.04.43
2.(F)/123 at Kastelli, 2 (1) Ju 86, 14 (8) Ju 88, 4 (0) Bf 109 (ML447).

17.06.43
Based at Frosinone, 1.(F)/123, 4 (0) Ju 88 T (ML4595).

29.06.43
2.(F)/123 was based at Athens-Tatoi (ML5771).

08.07.43
2.(F)/123 had two Ju 86s and two Ju 88 Ts for high-altitude reconnaissance missions, but all four were unserviceable for different reasons for between one and 30 days. Thus Cyprus, Alexandria and Benghazi could not be covered (ML6734).

20.07.43
1.(F)/123 at Frosinone, 3 Ju 88 T-1 serviceable (ML8332).


Cheers,
Andrew A.

Andrew,

As always - many thanks for the information.

And no, you had not passed these to me before - I think that it was a similar set of details on 122 in the past.

Hi Andy,

I'll go digging for in the next few days but two bits of info for you both concerning 2./123:

1,000th fiendflug = 14.12.41
2,000th fiendflug = 23.08.42

cheers

Adam

Adam,

Great - many thanks, everything helps build the picture.

I have started adding items from Andy's post to the master article prior to upload.

I'm also working with the Avions series of articles on 2(F).123 that were supplied to me a while ago and have been identifying and extracting loss entries from the Quartermaster returns for inclusion.

Unfortunately, others things get in the way......home, dog, cats on the keyboard and model making.....

Regarding Adam's post, can anyone add any detail to this? (Aircraft, crew, markings etc)

I have just found, in one of the Avions articles, the 3000th fiendflug, operated by a Ju 88 T-1 on 14 Apr 1943, there is a crew photo but now other details. Can anyone add to this?

Managed to answer part of my own question on this

I found this post (it must be from TOCH)

"3rd May 2007, 21:39
Chris Goss
Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 942

2/123 200th & 4000th Operational Flights
2/123's 2000th flight took place 23 Aug 42. The crew were Oblt Heinz Bournot, Ofw Alfred Nitsch (POW 15 Sep 43), Gefr August Fastenrodt (+29 Feb 44) and Uffz Merz-was the latter's christian name Hans and does anyone know his fate?
The 4000th flight crew were Oblt Franz Hessinger, Ofw Helmut Dorries, Ofw Herbert Huster and Fw August Fastenrodt. Does anyone know the date of this flight (pre-29 Feb 44) and the fates of Hessinger, Dorries and Huster?"

From HW 13/96

All relates to 3.(F)/123

18/09/41
4U+FL off the east coast between Lowestoft and 55N. Sighted convoys FS 97 and FN 20. Engaged by HMS Westminster and erroneously reported as shot down. Landed at 1430. Convoy FN was later attacked about 2000hrs by aircraft from KGr 606 (and possible 3.(F)/122)
4U+SL was also operational in an undisclosed area.

19/09/41
4U+LL may have shadowed HMS Eglinton off Lowestoft around 1140hrs.

20/09/41
1 a/c to East Anglian Coast and East Coast as far north as Middlesbrough. Reported convoys FS 99, EC 75 and FN 21 (FS 99 later attacked by KG 606) Over target area between 1147 – 1310hrs

22/09/41
4U+FL to east coast between the Wash and Newcastle. Sighted convoy FS 1 at 1255. (Unidentified a/c reported at 1303 in 54°56’N 00°40’W was possibly this aircraft.) NB this convoy later attacked by III./KG 30. Aircraft landed c.1630

24/09/41
1 a/c probably approached to Bristol Channel or St George’s Channel. Landed about 1440.

25/09/41
1 a/c off E coast of England to Tyne – Berwick area. Probably sighted nothing.

26/09/41
1 a/c to East Anglian coast-East Coast. Sighted (FN 23?) in Spurn Head area and a convoy escorted by HMS Viniera off Scarborough.

27/09/41
4U+PL off East Coast of England, possibly as far north as Tyne area. Probably shadowed convoy EC 78 in Flamborough Head area.

30/09/41
F6+PL on operations, landed by 2230 at Eindhoven.

01/10/41
4U+FL East Coast as far N as Tyne-Berwick area.

02/10/41
4U+FL off E Coast between the Wash and Tyne-Berwick. A/C landed at 1440.

03/10/41
4U+SL on operation possibly in Scillies area 4U+FL off E. Anglin Coast and East Coast as far N. as Tyne-Berwick. Sighted convoy N of Cromer, probably EC 81 (which was later attacked by KGr 606).

04/10/41
4U+LL on operations in the Western Approaches as far as St George’s Channel.

05/10/41
1 a/c is on ASR over the Western Approaches from before 1300 – c.1600.

4U+PL TO before 1100 for WR of East Coast between Yarmouth and Sunderland. This aircraft may have been the one unsuccessfully engaged by two Hurricanes 30m NE of Happisburgh between 1125 and 1230. A/C landed by 1500


I also found a webpage that has a load of operations conducted by 123 - I have cut and paste the following from http://fishponds.org.uk/luftbri8.html

16/07/40 1(F)/123, 1 Ju 88 t/o 10.00 hrs on reconnaissance over St.George's Channel & airfields in Bristol, Cardiff & Birmingham areas

21/07/40 3(F)/123, Ju 88, t/o 07.00 hrs airfield reconnaissance. 09.02 - 09.05 hrs over Filton & Avonmouth.

23.07.40 3(F)/123, 1 Ju 88, t/o 10.30 hrs on mission to airfields and harbours in Bristol Channel area.

09/08/40 3(F)/123, 1 Ju 88, weather reporting over northern part of the Bristol Channel 05.00 - 07.00 hrs, and reconnaissance over Filton & Yeovil. Damaged by fighter attack 06.55 hrs.

12/08/40 3(F)/123, Ju 88, t/o 07.10 hrs S.Coast & Bristol Channel. Circled Filton 12.07 - 12.15 hrs.

17/08/40 1(F)/123, 1 Ju 88, t/o 09.28 hrs on a mission to airfields between Bristol and London. Heavy cloud over all objectives.

18/08/40 3(F)/123, 1 Ju 88, t/o 07.43 hrs to RAF installations in the Filton, Salisbury & Evesham areas.

20/08/40 3(F)/123,2 Ju 88's, t/o 07.06 & 07.12 hrs. Missions to Bristol, Gloucester, Derby and Liverpool areas. 1 aircraft reported N.of Bristol 12.13 hrs.

30/08/40 3(F)/123, 1 Ju 88, t/o 09.06 hrs. Observations made over Bath, Portishead & Avonmouth. Over Bristol area 14.01 - 14.16 hrs. Probably took photo G85 Z 14 of Bath.

02/09/40 2(F)/123, 1 Do 17? & Bf 110? made observations over Bristol also Whitchurch, Filton & Weston super Mare airfields. Weston & Whitchurch photographed. Both a/c made very wide circles of Filton 13.25 hrs. Probably took photos of Kingswood, Northern Bath and Charmy Down airfield (812b/40 & 085).

02/09/40 1(F)/123, 1 Ju 88?, t/o 14.00 hrs made observations over Bristol also Filton, Whitchurch & Weston super Mare airfields. Passed to N. of Bristol 15.56 hrs. Photographed Weston super Mare.

03/09/40 3(F)/123, 1 Ju 88, t/o 06.08 hrs. Over Bristol area 09.57 - 10.02 hrs. Observations made at Filton, Bristol and Avonmouth. Bristol photo 654 Z 50.

03/09/40 ?(F)/123, 1 Ju 88, t/o 08.07 hrs took photos over Filton.

04/09/40 3(F)/123, 1 Ju 88, t/o 08.45 hrs to obtain post raid photos of Bristol, Avonmouth, Hucclecote, Cardiff and Swansea. Aborted because of repeated fighter attacks.

04/09/40 3(F)/123, 1 Ju 88 t/o 11.43 hrs on post raid photography mission to Bristol, Avonmouth and Cardiff. Over Bristol 16.12 hrs observations over Avonmouth and Bristol, also Filton, Whitchurch and Weston super Mare airfields. Filton, Whitchurch and Weston photographed.

05/09/40 2(F)/123, 1 Ju 88, t/o 08.45 hrs on a mission to Bristol, Barry, Cardiff & Liverpool areas. Observations made at Portishead, Avonmouth, Whitchurch airfield & Bristol which was partly covered by clouds.

06/09/40 2(F)/123, 1 Ju 88, t/o 10.25 hrs. Made two passes over Bristol 12.18 hrs. Observations made over Bristol, Avonmouth, Almondsbury, and at Whitchurch airfield. Landed 14.50 hrs.

07/09/40 3(F)/123, 1 Ju 88, Armed Reconn. Bristol Area t/o 06.27 hrs. Over area 10.10 hrs, again at 10.30 hrs when it circled. 5 H.E.'s (including 1 UXB) dropped on Bristol City Centre. Observations over Bristol and Filton. Photo during attack 745 Z 45.

23/09/40 2(F)/123, 1 Ju 88, 17.15 hrs over Bristol. Observations made over Filton and Whitchurch airfields. Filton photographed - 1075 S.

27/09/40 3(F)/123, 1 Ju 88. Over Bristol area 09.30 hrs. Observations made over Filton, Weston super Mare and Avonmouth. Landed Chartres c.14.55 hrs. Photos Avonmouth and Filton 908b 011 & 016.

04/12/40 3(F)/123, 2 Ju 88, 1 Bf 110 post raid missin to Avonmouth. Aborted due to excessive cloud.

05/12/40 2(F)/123, 1 Ju 88, mission to Bristol. Over Bath & Bristol 11.44 - 11.54 hrs. Photography not undertaken due to icing.

08/12/40 2(F)/123, 1 Bf 110, mission to Bristol. Circled Bristol 16.12 hrs, Avonmouth observed from 40/50km.

11/12/40 2(F)/123, 1 Ju 88, mission to Bristol. Over Bristol 13.33 hrs photo of City Centre.

04/01/41 2(F)/123, mission to Bristol & Avonmouth. Over Bristol 13.01 hrs and 14.25 hrs No valid photos because of low cloud base.

08/01/41 1(F)/123, 1 Ju 88, t/o 11.10 hrs mission to Bristol & Avonmouth. Flew past Bristol area 14.38 - 15.03 hrs. Aborted due to cloud cover.

10/01/41 2(F)/123, 1 Ju 88, t/o 10.40 hrs on a mission to Bristol. Aborted due to cloud cover.

Hope it helps

Adam,

Most definitely this helps.

Many thanks - now together with Andy's entries I have some serious work to do.....

No worries, Andy. I'll be going through all my files during the school holidays so whill no doubt come across more stuff as I go along. In the meantime, here are a few other bits and pieces, again, all for 3.(F)/123:

17.03.1942: 14 aircraft (Ju 88s, Bf 110 and 109) of which 10 were serviceable and 10 crews
15.01.1943: 11x Ju 88s, of which 8 were serviceable
20.12.1943: 9x Ju 88s, of which 3 were serviceable and 12 crews, of which 5 were ready

Source, Neitzel, S., Der Einsatz der deutschen Luftwaffe über dem Atlantik und der Nordsee 1939 -1945, pp.137, 140, 179

Doh !

That book is sitting on my book shelf and I have not looked at it with regard to 123...

many thanks Adam.

So you are saying I no longer need struggle with Nietzel....? Thank the Lord, 'cause the only second language we get taught here in Oz is Bad Engrish and this thing you Europeans call German has been doing my head in!