Sturzkampfgeschwader 2

Sturzkampfgeschwader 2
Active	1939–43
Country	Nazi Germany
Branch	Luftwaffe
Type	Dive bomber
Role	Close air support
Size	Air Force Wing
Nickname(s)	Immelmann
Commanders
Notable commanders	Dr. Ernst Kupfer (13.2.43 - 9.9.43)
Insignia
Cuff title
Identification symbol	T6 (became SG 2 in 1943)

Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 (StG 2) Immelmann was a Luftwaffe Dive bomber-wing of World War II. It was named after Max Immelmann in 1939. The unit was originally formed as Fliegergruppe Schwerin in 1934; the first Stuka wing of its type, attaining the sobriquet 'Immelmann' in 1935. The wing was raised to gruppe status in 1939.

History

Junkers Ju 87 of StG 2 "Immelmann", January 1942

Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 "Immelmann" was formed on 1 May 1939, I. Group in Cottbus, II. Group in Stolp-Reitz and III. Group in Langensalza. On 18 October 1943 it was renamed to Schlachtgeschwader 2.

StG 2 flew operations in the Polish Campaign, the Battle of France, and the Battle of Britain.

In 1941 it saw service in the Balkans Campaign, and on the Eastern Front.

For most of its service II./StG 2 was detached from the main Geschwader and operated as an independent formation.

On 12 January 1942 II gruppe was redesignated as III./StG 3 and a new wing raised.

While III gruppe continued to fly the Junkers Ju 87 until the end of the war, II gruppe flew the Junkers Ju 87 until March 1944, when two of its staffeln were converted to independent tank destroyer squadrons; 10(Pz) SG 3 and SG 77.

Commanding officers

Kommodore

• Oberstleutnant Oskar Dinort, 15 October 1939
• Oberstleutnant Paul-Werner Hozzel, 16 October 1941
• Oberst Dr. Ernst Kupfer, 13 February 1943
• Oberstleutnant Hans-Karl Stepp, 10 September 1943

Gruppenkommandeure

I./StG 2

• Major Oskar Dinort, 1 May 1939
• Hauptmann Hubertus Hitschhold, 1 October 1939
• Major Bruno Dilley, 15 October 1941
• Hauptmann Alwin Boerst, 1 November 1943
• Hauptmann Kurt Lau, 1 May 1944
• Hauptmann Herbert Bauer, 23 November 1944

II./StG 2

• Major Walter Enneccerus, 1940
• Major Karl Kennel, unknown - 18 October 1943

III./StG 2

• Hauptmann Heinrich Brücker, 1 May 1939
• Hauptmann Ernst-Siegfried Steen, 1 August 1941
• Hauptmann Gustav Preßler, 1 October 1941
• Hauptmann Walter Krauß, 1 April 1943
• Hauptmann Hans-Ulrich Rudel, 19 July 1943
• Hauptmann Lothar Lau, 1 August 1944
• Major Müller, 23 January 1945

Staffelkapitäne

10. (Pz)/StG 2

• Oberleutnant Helmut Schübel, 17 June 1943
• Leutnant of the Reserve Anton Korol, 1 September 1944

See also

Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II