Kampfgeschwader 40
Geschwaderkommodore:
Stab:
Formed in 7.40 at Bordeaux-Merignac. On 22.12.40 redesignated Stab/KG28.
Reformed 1.4.41 at Bordeaux-Merignac. In October 1944 transferred to Germany, and was to begin conversion to Me 262 fighters. Disbanded 2.2.45.
Bases:
| 7.40 - 12.40 | Bordeaux-Merignac | 9. Flieger-Dvision IX. Fliegerkorps (from 10.40) |
He 111H |
| 4.41 - 7.44 | Bordeaux-Merignac | Fl. Fü. Atlantik X. Fliegerkorps (from 4.44) |
Fw 200C, Ju 88A |
| 7.44 - 10.44 | Gardermoen | Luftflotte 5 | Fw 200C |
| 10.44 - 12.44 | Schwäbisch-Hall | Luftflotte 10 | none |
| 12.44 - 2.45 | Lübeck-Blankensee | Luftflotte 10 | none |
I. Gruppe:
Gruppenkommandeure:
1./KG40 was formed 1.11.39 at Bremen with Fw 200C bombers. Stab I. and 2./KG40 was formed 1.5.40, and 3./KG40 on 1.6.40. In early 1.43 1. and 3./KG40 moved to Stalino as KGrzbV 200 (to transport supplies to Stalingrad). Both staffeln would later be united as the new 8./KG40. A new 1. and 3./KG40 began forming in Fassberg with He 177 bombers from 1.43.
Was to begin conversion to Me 262 fighters in 10.44. Disbanded 2.2.45.
Bases:
| 1.11.39 - 15.4.40 | Bremen | ObdL | Fw 200C, He 111 |
| 15.4.40 - 25.4.40 | Aalborg-West | X. Fliegerkorps | Fw 200C |
| 25.4.40 - 12.6.40 | Copenhagen (Kastrup) | X. Fliegerkorps | Fw 200C |
| 12.6.40 - 17.3.42 | Bordeaux-Merignac* | 9. Flieger-Division IX. Fliegerkorps (from 10.40) Fl. Fü. Atlantik (from 4.41) |
Fw 200C, He 111H |
| 17.3.42 - 1.43 | Trondheim-Vaernes** | Fl. Fü. Nord (West) | Fw 200C |
| 1.43 - 19.12.43 | Fassberg** | Luftwaffenbefehlshaber Mitte | He 177 |
| 19.12.43 - 1.44 | Chateaudun*** | IX. Fliegerkorps | He 177 |
| 1.44 - 15.5.44 | Fassberg | Luftflotte Reich | He 177 |
| 15.5.44 - 18.6.44 | Orleans-Bricy | He 177 | |
| 18.6.44 - 12.7.44 | Toulouse-Blagnac | IX. Fliegerkorps | He 177 |
| 7.44 - 10.44 | Trondheim-Vaernes | Luftflotte 5 | He 177 |
| 10.44 - 12.44 | Schwäbisch-Hall | Luftflotte 10 | none |
| 12.44 - 2.45 | Neuburg | Luftflotte 10 | none |
* part of the unit at Heraklion and Eleusis (X. Fliegerkorps) 8.41 - 9.41.
** In 11.43 2./KG40 in Trondheim-Vaernes with Fw 200C, moved to Germany and was disbanded. A new 2./KG40 was formed from 8./KG40 with He 177. The 3./KG40 moved to Trondheim-Vaernes in 11.43, probably still with Fw 200C. 3./KG40 remained in Norway (Trondheim), until joined by the rest of the Gruppe in 7.44.
*** Only 1./KG40 and about half of 2./KG40 moved to Chateaudun.
II. Gruppe:
Gruppenkommandeure:
4./KG40 was formed 1.1.41 with He 111 bombers, while the rest of the Gruppe was formed 1.5.41 at Lüneburg, with Do 217. In late 5.43 began conversion to Me 410 destroyers. In 6.43 redesignated V./KG2 (4. and 5./KG40 became 14. and 15./KG2, and 6./KG40 became 5./KG2).
Reformed 25.10.43 at Burg-Magdeburg from I./KG50, and moved to Bordeaux-Merignac. Conducted training missions at Graz with Hs 293 missiles. Was to begin conversion to Me 262 fighters in 10.44. Disbanded 2.2.45.
Bases:
| 1.41 - 7.41 | Lüneburg | Luftwaffenbefehlshaber Mitte | He 111, Do 217 |
| 7.41 - 9.41 | Cognac | Fl. Fü. Atlantik | He 111, Do 217 |
| 9.41 - 17.3.43 | Soesterberg | IX. Fliegerkorps | Do 217 |
| 17.3.43 - 6.43 | Gilze Rijen | IX. Fliegerkorps | Do 217, Me 410 |
| 25.10.43 - 7.44 | Bordeaux-Merignac* | Fl. Fü. Atlantik X. Fliegerkorps (from 4.44) |
He 177 |
| 7.44 - 10.44 | Gardermoen | Luftflotte 5 | He 177 |
| 10.44 - 12.44 | Schwäbisch Hall | He 177 | |
| 12.44 - 2.45 | Parchim | Luftflotte 10 | none |
* 4./KG40 at Toulouse-Blagnac, 14.6 - 16.6.44; 6./KG40 at Tarbes, 14.6 - 20.6.44
III. Gruppe:
Gruppenkommandeure:
Formed 24.3.41 at Brest-Lanveoc from I./KG1. 12.41 - 5.42 converted to Fw 200C bombers, beginning with the 7. staffel. In 2.43 a new 8./KG40 was formed from 1. and 3./KG40. This staffel became 2./KG40 in late 1943, and a new 8./KG40 was formed. Was to begin conversion to Me 262 fighters in 9.44. Disbanded 2.2.45.
Bases:
| 3.41 - ?6.41 | Brest-Lanveoc | Fl. Fü. Atlantik | He 111 |
| ?6.41 - 11.43 | Bordeaux-Merignac* | Fl. Fü. Atlantik | He 111, Fw 200C |
| 11.43 - 7.44 | Cognac** | X. Fliegerkorps | Fw 200C |
| 7.44 - 9.44 | Trondheim-Vaernes | Luftflotte 5 | Fw 200C |
| 9.44 - 2.45 | Lübeck-Blankensee | Luftflotte 10 | none |
* 9./KG40 at Rennes in 4.42. The 9./KG40 was stationed at Soesterberg during Operation Cerberus 2.42. Between 10.42 and 2.43 9./KG40 operated in the Mediterranean, flying supplies to Afrika, first between Crete and Tobruk, and later between Lecce and Tunisia. Apparently also 7./KG40 flew some of these missions. From 3.43 8./KG40 began conversion to He 177 at Fassberg, while 7./KG40 was based at Cognac and 9./KG40 at Bordeaux-Merignac.
** Part of the Gruppe was based at Avord, 2.44 - 3.44; 7./KG40 at St. Jean d'Angely, 2.44 - 7.44
IV. (Erg.) Gruppe:
Gruppenkommandeure:
Ausbildungsstaffel/KG40 formed in 7.40 at Amiens. In mid 1941 redesignated Ergänzungsstaffel/KG28. IV./KG40 was formed at Orleans-Bricy in mid 1941 (10. - 12. staffeln). In late 1942 moved to Chateaudun. In 1.43 10./KG40 became 15./KG40 and was replaced. IV/KG40 moved to Lechfeld in 2.44.
Known as Ergänzungs-Kampfgruppe He 177 between 8.44 and 3.45, probably at Lechfeld.
V. Gruppe:
Gruppenkommandeure:
* at times acting commander between 1.7.42 and 13.11.43
13./KG40 was formed in 8.42 at Nantes, with Ju 88C fighters. The rest of the Gruppe was formed 1.43 at Kerlin-Bastard. Remained there during its existence (Fl. Fü. Atlantik), with detachments at Bordeaux-Merignac and Cognac. Only used Ju 88C fighters.
A 16./KG40 was formed in 8.43. In 10.43 redesignated I./ZG1 at Kerlin-Bastard (Brest).
A Nachtjagdstaffel/KG40 existed in 1943 at Bordeaux-Merignac (Kommando Kunkel). Used Ju 88C fighters.