Fighters in North African Theatre

[Vincenzo]

I want start a comparison of fighters in north african operation area.
The Regia Aeronautica start war with three gruppi CT (caccia terrestre, ground fighter, CM is sea fighter, floatplane fighter) (8°. 10°, 13°) this last was all on CR 42 and other two was on CR 42 and CR 32 (this were in transition for early julliet all on CR 42). A fourth gruppo (9°) CT (always on CR 42) came in midi julliet '40, a fifth (151°. ever on CR 42) in september. For late 1940 (november) became firsts G 50 (a full gruppo (2°) for late december) A sixth CR 42 gruppo (23°) came for midi december. But the 8° and 13° go back in italy (midi december), the 9° back late december and the 10° early february '41, in late february back to home also 23°. In late january '41 came 155° (on G 50) and 18° (on Cr 42). In the spring '41 became the luftwaffe I/JG 27 ( I think on Bf 109E). I don't have info for later time i know that in late '41 came MC 202.

[maxs75]

Are you looking for the entire north african campaign period? I don't have the exact info for each gruppo, but a good idea of the periods.

Max

[Vincenzo]

yes for entire period, and not only for axis. comparison on quantity and quality of fighters axis and allies

[maxs75]

It would be a huge answer....
The total for Libia on 30 june 1940 was 212 fighters/attack:
99 CR 42
58 CR 32
55 Ba 65
with 211 Bombers, 89 observation and 7 seaplanes Z 501.
On 12 /7 9° Gp CT with 33 CR 42 arrived. Cr 32 were modified with underwings bombs to equip part of 50° St. Ass. along with Ba 65.

On 1st december 1940 5a Squadra had 2° and 4° St. CT (8, 13, 9 and 10 Gp), and 151° Gp.
2° St was back in Italy on 15 dec., 9° Gp 25 dec. and 10 Gp. 1 february 1941.
New units were 23° Gp (32 CR.42) from 16 december and 2° Gp (27 G.50) from 2 january 1941.
In late january the following Gruppi were ready in Italy for Libia:
155° Gp. (30 G.50)
18° Gp (30 CR.42)
157° Gp (34 MC.200)

On 1 july 1941 5a squadra had the following fighters:
2°, 20°, 18°, 151° and 155° Gp. CT and 374 and 376 Sqd. CT.

On 18 november, just before "Crusader":
Luftwaffe:
I, II/ JG27 with Bf-109

III/JG 27 and III/ JG53 from december.
all with Bf.109

12° Gp (G.50 or MC 200?)
3° and 160° Gp (CR.42)
20° and 155 Gp. (G.50)
plus Sqd. with CR.42 b.a.

At the end of 1941 many new units arrived, so 5a squadra had:
3° and 160° Gp with CR42
8°, 150° and 157° Gp with Mc200
1° St. (6°, 17° Gp) with Mc202.
12° Gp with G.50.
9° Gp. (MC 202) was there between nov. and dec. only.

Numbers for 1941:
february:
44 CR 42
20 G. 50
6 Mc 200
10 Ju. 87

october-november:
86 CR42
80 G.50
27 Mc 200
21 Ju-87


Max

[HoHun]

Hi Max,

>On 18 november, just before "Crusader":
>Luftwaffe:
>I, II/ JG27 with Bf-109

Relying on Flugzeugbestand und Bewegungsmeldungen, Jagdverbnde which has data from 03/1942 on ...

I/JG27 had an average strength of 22 Me 109 fighters from 03/1942 to 05/1943.

II/JG27 had an average strength of 28 Me 109 fighters from 03/1942 to 05/1943.

III/JG27 had an average strength of 23 Me 109 fighters from 03/1942 to 05/1943.

Stab JG27 occasionally had up to a full Schwarm of fighters too, at other times none at all.

Initially the JG27 aircraft were exclusively Me 109F-4/trop, the first G-2/trop arriving in September, followed later by some G-1, G-4 and G-6 aircraft.

>III/JG 27 and III/ JG53 from december.
>all with Bf.109

Hm, not sure what to make of the III/JG53 record:

Flugzeugbestand und Bewegungsmeldungen, III./JG53

Regards,

Henning (HoHun)

[Njaco]

As far as German fighters, 7./JG 26 arrived in mid Feb '41 with 9 Bf 109Es until 18 April '41 when I./JG 27 joined them. III./JG 53 arrived begin of Dec. 41 and then left shortly afterwards.

May 1942 - 92 Bf 109Fs of I., II., and III./JG 27 and 8 Bf 109Es of the Jabostaffel on hand. III./JG 53 returned to Libya on 20 May '42.

[Vincenzo]

In june 1940 the british have 32°, 80° and 112° fighter squadrons with Gladiator and Gauntlet