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Info Eduard - July 2010
He was entrusted with the formation of ‘Sturmstaffel 1’
on December 4, 1943. This relatively small unit used the
Fw 190A-6 Sturmbock at the beginning of its operations,
sometimes the type being referred to as ‘Panzerbock’
which was only an up-armored version of the A-6, and
later, the A-7. The unit operated with varying degrees
of success up to the end of April, 1944, when the first
Sturmgruppe – IV.(Sturm)/JG 3, was formed out of it.
The CO of Sturmstaffel 1, Major von Kornatzki, was
entrusted with the formation of another Sturmgruppe,
and that within the unit that in Germany was reorganized
and re-equipped after operations in southern Europe,
Jagdgeschwader 4.
At the same time, II.(Sturm)/JG 300 was formed out of
II./JG 300 as the last Luftwaffe Sturmgruppe.
These three units, IV.(Sturm)/JG 3, II.(Sturm)/JG 4 and
II.(Sturm)/JG 300, who’s exclusive role was combating
four engined bombers and protected by dedicated groups
of Bf 109 and standard Fw 190A-8 fighters, formed the
main strike force for the defensive tactics of the Luftwaffe
through the summer and fall of 1944. Their effectiveness
and relevance were limited by the overall state of
the Jagdwaffe – the number of serviceable aircraft,
pilot training, fuel supply and so on.
A more significant action above
Germany and occupied Euro-
pe was initiated by the Sturm-
gruppen between August 24th
and 29th, September 11th,
September 27th, October 6th,
November 2nd, December 2nd,
and December 17th, 1944. On each date,
significant successes were attained, but in some cases
at high cost in excess of 50 per cent.
From the end of 1944, there was a slow turning
away from the tactics of the Sturm attacks, mainly due
to enormous losses, and also (thanks to allied aerial
superiority) the inability of the escorting Bf 109s to
effectively cover the Sturmbocks. There was also the
anticipation of the introduction of newer aircraft such as
the Fw 190D, and the expected backbone of the future
fighter force of the Luftwaffe, the Me 262. The nail in the
coffin of the Sturmjäger units was Operation Bodenplatte,
into which were employed two Sturmgruppen in the
ground attack role, specifically from JG 3 and JG 4.
Surviving aircraft of the A-8/R2 version were progressively
replaced by standard Fw 190A-8s and A-9s, and later
even the D-9 and to a lesser extent, the D-11 (the D-11
being armed similarly to the A-8/R2 with two 20
and two 30mm cannon, and were possibly to take over
the Sturmbock role).
The factory AGO-Flugzeugwerke Oschersleben during a bombing
attack by Liberators of the 2nd Bomb Division, 8th USAAF on April 11th,
1944…..and a few days later in a reconnaissance photograph to assess
the bomb damage. Despite very severe damage, the plant was soon
busy again manufacturing standard Fw 190A-8s, and between August
and November, 1944, many Fw 190A-8/R2s were also built here.
(Photo: NARA)
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(J. Zdiarský, P. Štěpánek)
HISTORY
Hans-Günter von Kornatzki was born
on June 22, 1906 in Liegnitz in East Prussia.
He became a member of the Luftwaffe in
1933, and on April 1st, 1934 he completed
flight training. For some time, he worked in
the propoganda Reklamestaffel
Mitteldeutschland with the base at Doberitz.
In March, 1935, II./JG 132 was formed,
and von Kornatzki was attached with the rank
of Hauptmann. Subsequent services included
I./JG 334 and I./JG 138, before being activat-
ed as CO of the newly formed II./JG 52 at the
start of the Second World War. Hans-Günter
von Kornatzki headed this unit into the Battle
of Britain. He was transferred on August 26,
1940 to Jagdfliegerschule 1 in Werneuchen
as head instructor. In May, 1941, he married
Hermann Goring’s secretary, Ursula Grundt-
mann. After that followed a list of command
postings, including Operations Officer with
X. Fliegerkorps, before being installed as
Hoherer Jagdfliegerfuhrer West in February,
1943. In the positions that he occupied,
he concentrated on tactics with which to defend
against formations of allied bomber formations, with which he was aided by weapons
trials by Eprobungskommando 25, and in which he took part. Based on his sugges-
tions and developed tactics, the specialized unit Sturmstaffel 1 was formed at the
end of 1943 with him as its CO. With this unit, on March 23, 1944, he gained his
second last victory. Shortly thereafter, the trial unit was disbanded to form the basis
of other Sturm groups in standard fighter units within the Defense of the Reich.
In the summer of 1944, von Kornatzki formed his next unit, II.(Sturm)/JG 4.
His new unit received its baptism of fire on September 11th, 1944. The following day,
II.(Sturm)/JG 4 met the Americans in combat yet again. Obstlt. von Kornatzki led his
unit into combat flying Fw 190A-8/R2 Green ‘3’. In grid location HC1, shortly after
1100h, he managed to rip apart a B-17G with his 20 and 30mm cannon, his sixth and
final kill. He himself sustained heavy damage from the protective fire of the formation
box, and was inspired to find a spot to put down. During his attempt to land in a field
near Zilly, he ran into high power lines and crashed into the ground. II.(Sturm)/JG 4
lost its father figure, leader, and, in up-armored Sturmbock
with the call sign Green ‘3’, the legend
behind Sturm tactics
of the Luftwaffe.