1st Luftwaffe Flak Corps
1940

S-2 Intelligence

by Greg Novak

As part of the formation of the Luftwaffe in 1935, most of the antiaircraft units of the Wehrmacht were transferred to that service. The theory was that all military elements that dealt with the defense of Germany's air space should be combined into a single force, and this theory would be later used to ensure that the Luftwaffe would gain control of the German Airborne Forces as well.

While the Wehrmacht was allowed to keep some very light AA weapons, for much of the war the AA support given to German ground forces was furnished by the Luftwaffe units. These units were sometimes assigned to Wehrmacht corps and armies, and at other times kept under Luftwaffe control. From time to time, specialized formations were set up to support specific operations, such as the attack of Panzer Group von Kleist into France in 1940. For that operation, the 1st Flak Corps was organized, and assigned to Panzer Group von Kleist.

In spite of its name, the 1st Flak Korps was not a Korps sized unit, but was in reality a divisional sized formation with the following organization:

1st Flak Corps

101st Flak Regiment

    1st Battalion, 12th Flak Regiment*
    1st Battalion, 22nd Flak Regiment*
    1st Battalion, 5 Ist Flak Regiment*
    85th Light Flak Battalion

102nd Flak Regiment

    1st Battalion, 18th Flak Regiment*
    1st Battalion, 36th Flak Regiment*
    2nd Battalion, 38th Flak Regiment*
    91st Light Flak Battalion

104th Flak Regiment

    1st Battalion, 8th Flak Regiment*
    1st Battalion, 11th Flak Regiment*
    2nd Battalion, 11th Flak Regiment*
    75th Light Flak Battalion

3rd Battalion, General Goring Flak Regiment*

3rd Battalion, 9th Flak Regiment*

As can be seen, the Flak Regiments were provisional units which were made up of attached battalions. Ile units marked with an * were heavy flak battalions. For use in Command Decision, the following organization would be used :

LUFTWAFFE FLAK REGIMENT, 1940

Regimental Headquarters

    1 Command Stand
    1 Command Car
    1 Staff Radio Truck
    2 Support Stands
    1 Medium Truck

3 Heavy Flak Battalions, each with:

    Battalion Headquarters:
      1 Command Stand
      1 Command Car
      1 Staff Radio Truck
      2 Support Stands
      2 Medium Trucks with Trailers

    Detection Battery:

      1 Sound Detector on trailer
      2 60" Searchlights on trailers
      3 Support Stands
      3 Light Trucks

    3 Heavy Batteries: Each with

      1 88L56 AA Gun
      1 37L98 AA Gun
      1 20L113 AA Gun
      1 Gun Crew (DS)
      2 Gun Crew Stands
      1 Heavy Tractor
      3 Light Trucks
      1 24" Searchlight on trailer
      1 Support Stand

    2 Medium Batteries: Each with

      2 37L98 AA Guns
      2 Gun Crew Stands
      3 Light Trucks
      1 24" Searchlight on trailer
      1 Support Stand

Light Flak Battalion

    Battalion Headquarters:
      1 Command Stand
      1 Command Car
      1 Support Stand
      1 Light Truck

    2/3 Light Batteries: Each with

      2 20L113 AA Guns
      2 Gun Crew Stands
      2 Light Trucks

NOTES

1. For the campaign in France, 1940, consider such units as Experienced, Morale 9.

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© Copyright 1992 by Greg Novak.

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