Kampfgeschwader 25

Kampfgeschwader 25
Active	August – September 1939
Country	Nazi Germany
Branch	Luftwaffe
Type	Bomber
Role	Maritime interdiction
Size	Air force wing
Commanders
Notable commanders	Helmuth Pohle
Insignia
Identification symbol	Geschwaderkennung of 4D

Kampfgeschwader 25 (KG 25) was a short-lived Luftwaffe bomber wing during World War II. Formed from the crews and aircraft of Erprobungskommando 88, KG 25 operated the Junkers Ju 88. ^[1] In September 1939, KG 25 was disbanded after its Staffeln were redesignated as the first Gruppe of Kampfgeschwader 30.

Operational history

Before the outbreak of World War II, Erprobungskommando 88, commanded by Hauptmann Helmuth Pohle, had been formed at Rechlin to test the Junkers Ju 88. ^[2] In August 1939, 12 crews and their Ju 88 aircraft were transferred to Jever, where they were designated as the first Staffel of Kampfgeschwader 25 (1./KG 25). ^[3]

After the British declaration of war on Germany on 3 September, the 10th Flieger-Division was formed to target British shipping. ^[4] Due to the 10th Flieger-Division being understrength as a result of aircraft being committed to the Invasion of Poland, the 12 Ju 88s of 1./KG 25 were attached to the division. However, General der Flieger Hellmuth Felmy, the commander of Luftflotte 2, did not believe that the new unit, while still undergoing technical trials of their aircraft, should be sent into combat in this manner. Consequently, 1./KG 25 was withdrawn to Greifswald, where six Ju 88s were forming 2./KG 25. ^[3]

On 7 September, 1./KG 25 and 2./KG 25 were redesignated. The two Staffeln formed the first Gruppe of Kampfgeschwader 30 (I./KG 30), remaining under the command of Hauptmann Pohle. ^[3] As a result, KG 25 was disbanded.

Commanding officers

• Hauptmann Helmuth Pohle, August – September 1939

References

Citations

1. "Kampfgeschwader 25". FeldGrau. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
2. Smith & Kay 1972 , p. 399−400
3. Weal 2000 , p. 8
4. Altenburger, Andreas. "Kampfgeschwader 25". Lexikon der Wehrmacht (in German). Retrieved 20 August 2025.

Bibliography

• Smith, J.R.; Kay, Antony L. (1972). German Aircraft of the Second World War. London, UK: Putnam. ISBN   0-85177-836-4.
• Weal, John (2000). Ju 88 Kampfgeschwader on the Western Front. Botley, Oxford, UK: Osprey Aviation. ISBN   978-1-84176-020-9.

External links

• "Kampfgeschwader 25". Lexikon der Wehrmacht.
• "Kampfgeschwader 25". The Luftwaffe, 1933−45.