Kampfgeschwader 76

Kampfgeschwader 76 (KG 76) was a Luftwaffe bomber Group during World War II . Its units participated on all of the fronts in the European Theatre throughout the conflict, and served until the last day of the war. It operated all three of the major German bomber types; the Dornier Do 17, Heinkel He 111 and the Junkers Ju 88, and also made use of the first-ever operational jet bomber design, the Arado Ar 234.

History

Kampfgeschwader 76 was formed on 1 May 1939 at Wiener Neustadt in Austria with Stab./KG 76 and I Gruppe. III Gruppe at Wels on the same date with the Do 17E, while II./KG 76 was not formed until September 1939, again in Wels, Northern Austria. While training in the summer of 1939 the Geschwader "worked up" on the Dornier Do 17Z and He 111. II./KG 76 did not become operational until June 1940 and consequently missed the Polish Campaign and the Norwegian Campaign.

War Time Service

Polish Campaign

During the Polish Campaign I. and III. Gruppen of KG 76 took part in combat operations. Operating from Breslau-Schöngarten (today Copernicus Airport Wrocław), I./KG 76 committed 36 Dorniers (all serviceable) under Luftflotte 4. The unit participated in the Battle of Bzura, and carried out raids in the areas of Galicia, Radom, Kielce and Warsaw against rail, airfield and troop targets. The Geschwader ceased attacks on 22 September and were ordered to western Germany to face a possible Allied attack. KG 76 was then assigned to Luftflotte 3.