Schlachtgeschwader 1 - Independent 4.(Pz)/SchlG 1

Independent 4.(Pz)/SchlG 1

The 4th Staffel was formed in January 1942 as a component of II/SchlG 1 with Bf 109Es provided by the disbanded II (Schl.)/LG 2. It operated as an independent, autonomous unit for much of its existence. It flew under VIII Fliegerkorps after receiving 16 of the new Henschel Hs 129B-1.

Commencing operations on 7 May 1942 the unit attacked various ground targets, shot down an Polikarpov I-16 fighter and destroyed some 40 other aircraft during low-level strafing attacks on enemy airfields in Eastern Crimea. In mid-May the Staffel moved with the rest of II Gruppe and took part in the heavy fighting to the south and south-east of Kharkov. In early June the aircraft were fitted with the new MK-101 30 mm cannon 'underbelly' pack, and first went into action against Soviet tanks retreating along the Don River. Their first loss was a Hs 129 on 6 July.

Following the Soviet counter-offensive at Stalingrad the Staffel was deployed west of Stalingrad. After withdrawing to Stalino it was re-equipped with the new Hs 129B-2 and transferred to Stalino-North during April. The Staffel supported the German ground forces on the Taman Peninsula, south west of Rostov.

In June 1943 the staffel was sent back to Germany, to be fitted with the new 30 mm MK-103 armour-piercing cannon, ready for the upcoming Operation Zitadelle.

Losses were heavy in July with 7 Hs 129B-2s falling to AA fire. The Staffel then assisted in the defence against the Soviet counter-attack towards Orel of 13 July. The unit moved to Poltava at the end of August. 6 aircraft were lost in September as the Staffel retreated through central Ukraine.