The German Military in Zamosc, 1939–1944

This is the rough English translation of an article in Polish by Zbigniew Stankiewicz. There are some mistakes in the translation.

Link to original is here. Another version is available here.

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In preparation for seizing the new Lebensraum—rightfully due to the "master race"—in the East, and for the simultaneous extermination of the "subhumans" inhabiting it, the Germans massed all their available forces along the border of the General Government. This planned "crusade" was tasked with conquering the "promised land." To ensure air support for ground units, a chain of airfields was constructed along the frontier. In the occupied territories, terror—designed to instill fear of the "master race"—was to ensure the obedience of the population to the occupiers. Substantial police forces were allocated specifically to sow this terror; from the very outset, these units were engaged in the liquidation of all "undesirables." Within the General Government, the primary objectives of the occupation policy were to secure the eastward movement of troops and their logistical support, as well as to systematically eliminate the indigenous inhabitants—erasing them from the face of the earth. Today, it is often forgotten that, following a German victory, there was to be no place for Poland or for Poles within the "New Order."

Air Force Units

Aviation Authorities and Construction Units in Zamość

Russian intelligence report No. 466, dated May 14, 1941, provides information regarding the Zamość airfield hub, comprising seven airfields and two landing strips [Fig. 1]. The listed airfields included: Mokre, Klemensów, Żdanów, Dub, Łabunie, Tomaszów (planned), an unnamed site near Zamość, as well as the landing grounds at Komarów and—presumably—the field airfield at Hostynne (the name of which was not specified in the report). An airfield hub comprises a group of airfields interconnected by communication links and transport routes, designated to serve as a base for a single tactical aviation formation.

Construction Authorities 1940–1941

Feldbauamt der Luftwaffe Zamosc (Field Construction Office of the Air Force in Zamość) was a regional construction authority responsible for project implementation; it issued guidelines regarding airfield construction and oversaw execution at the subordinate airfield construction sites. It was headed by a Commandant—who simultaneously served as the commander of all construction units across the airfields—assisted by an Adjutant (a construction officer and advisor), an Officer for Special Duties (a certified civil engineer), two paymasters, four surveyors, a supply officer, a physician accompanied by a medic, a construction technician (who acted as an inspector equipped with a motorcycle), two draftsmen, a clerk, and three liaison personnel for delivering orders; the staff also included a group of drivers with a vehicle fleet. Upon the completion of construction work in June 1941, the organization was transformed into the Bauleitung der Luftwaffe Zamość (Luftwaffe Construction Directorate in Zamość). A Baustelle (construction site)—each headed by a Bauführer (site manager)—was established at every airfield: Engineer Mucke at Klemensów, Engineer Letto at Łabunie, and Engineer Walter Enderlein at Mokre. Work on the airfields was completed in early June 1941, prior to the redeployment of aviation units to these sites.

Construction Units, 1940–194

Units of the Reich Labor Service (*Reichsarbeitsdienst* [RAD]) operated under the authority of the NSDAP; they comprised pre-conscription youth who were conscripted for a six-month term prior to their induction into the armed forces. Unmobilized RAD units were dispatched to construct airfields, serving as an auxiliary service to the Luftwaffe:

RAD Gruppe K 365 (Reichsarbeitsdienst) (365th Reich Labor Service Battalion)—a battalion (work group/Arbeitsgruppe) divided into six companies (Abteilungen); dispatched in late 1940, it was stationed in the Planty district, housed in wooden barracks it had constructed itself. The letter "K" (*Kriegseinsatz*—war deployment) signifies that the unit had undergone military training; having been dispersed across various airfield construction sites, it was transferred eastward to Lutsk in July 1941.

RAD mot. IV 6/360 (6th Motorized Company of the 360th Reich Labor Service Battalion, District IV)—from late 1940 onward, this unit was responsible for transporting materials to construction sites; in July 1941, it was transferred eastward.

RAD Abteilung 3/375 Versorgungskompanie (3rd Supply Company of the 375th Reich Labor Service Battalion)—formed in the Czech lands and dispatched in late 1940, this unit was responsible for supporting airfield construction sites and supervising civilian workers; in July 1941, it was sent eastward.

Private Construction Companies

In early 1941 (as of February 28, 1941), specialized civilian construction firms were brought in and assigned to various construction sites; the "construction site" designation refers to the location of the management headquarters:

—Bruning Hans H., Neubrandenburg (Mecklenburg) – Baustelle Zamość (Construction Site Zamość) – a firm from Mecklenburg;
—Cebulla Georg, Bauausführungen Oppeln – Niederlassung Zamość (Branch Zamość) – a construction firm from Opole, with a branch in Zamość;
—Ellermann Walter, Breslau 30 – Baustelle Zamość – a firm from Wrocław, construction site in Zamość;
—Junk Carl – Bauunternehmung Paderborn – Zamość – a construction firm from Paderborn (Rhineland), operating in Zamość;
—Piecharek Johann, Oppeln – Baustelle Łabunie – a firm from Opole, construction site in Łabunie;
—Wissek Rudolf, Ing. – Vertreter Zamość (Representative in Zamość): Hans Jarischko – the firm's representative in Zamość; the company worked at the airfield in Mokre;
—Skala, Smolka, Wawreczka & Co. (a Czech firm) – worked at the airfield in Łabunie.

Specialized companies from Zamość working at airports: "Beton" Cooperative in Zamość, Zamość Power Plant, Magaryl N. Licensed water and sewage utility in Zamość.

Polish timber companies working for airports: "Pańska Dolina" sp. z o.o. Forest Exploitation based in Zamość, furniture factory sawmill in Tarnawatka, sawmill in Narol, Tischirner Werner sawmill in Susiec, OZ ​​sawmill in Zwierzyniec.

Polish factories producing wooden equipment and furniture for airports: Czerski i Jakimowicz Polski Przemysł Drzewny S-ka jawna (factory in Bondyrz), OZ Wood Products Factory in Zwierzyniec, Wood Industry Plant in Tarnawatka; Steam Sawmill and Furniture Bending Shop in Zamość, owned by Ferdynand Zipser's heir.

Initially, there were no permanent camps at the airports; workers were provided daily by the Judenrat and labor offices from nearby towns. When labor was scarce, air forces, along with local gendarmerie, organized roundups in towns near the airport. All men (aged 15–60), regardless of nationality, were required to work at the airports. Horse-drawn carts (szarwark) were provided by the surrounding villages.

Construction Units of the Air Force 1940–1941

In the spring of 1939, some RAD units were mobilized and incorporated into the army. In the air force, after being supplemented with conscripted specialists, technical construction units were formed, first construction companies (Baukompanie), then, in 1940, battalions (Baubataillone). Their task was to build and maintain air bases, particularly the construction and repair of runways. The Luftwaffe construction units were directly subordinated to the air district commands (Luftgaukommandos), designated staff officers from the construction units [Stabsoffizieren der Luftwaffe Bautruppen (Stobau)] were their commanders in the air districts:

Stb./Lw. Bau. Reg. 2/VI (Command of the 2nd Air Force Construction Regiment of the VI District) – the regimental command was always needed when the construction project required the deployment of several construction battalions; formed in October 1940 under the command of Lt. Col. Wilhelm von Wuthenau—and, from June 15, 1941, Maj. Gen. Hans Heinrich Bayer—the unit was dispatched in early 1941 to coordinate the activities of independent construction battalions that had been subordinated to it for the duration of the construction phase; in July 1941, the command headquarters was relocated to the East;

3. Kp. Lw. Bau. Btl. 1/XVII (3rd Company, 1st Air Force Construction Battalion, District XVII) — initially, in 1940, only the battalion's 3rd Company was formed; it arrived on September 13, 1940, to commence construction of a field airfield and remained stationed at the Mokre airfield as late as July 1941; the unit numbered 228 personnel (including six officers) and was equipped with nine light machine guns; it was disbanded in late 1941 in Zamość;

Lw. Bau. Gerätezug 3/XVII (3rd Air Force Construction Equipment Platoon, District XVII) — dispatched on September 13, 1940, alongside the 3rd Construction Company; its equipment was utilized during airfield construction projects; upon the completion of these works, the unit was stationed at the Mokre airfield before being transferred to Lwów in July 1941;

Lw. Bau. Gerätezug 2/XVII (2nd Construction Equipment Platoon, Air Force District XVII) – present since early 1941; its construction equipment was utilized in the construction of airfields; upon completion of these works, it was stationed in Zamość, and in July 1941, it was transferred eastward.

All tractor platoons listed below were mobilized on January 1, 1940, reassigned to airfield construction duties in early 1941, stationed in Zamość in July 1941, and subsequently transferred eastward:
Lw. Traktorenzug 1/IV (1st Air Force Tractor Platoon, District IV) – equipped with wheeled tractors and trailers;
Lw. Traktorenzug 4/VII (4th Air Force Tractor Platoon, District VII) – equipped with wheeled tractors and trailers;
Traktorenzug 50 (B) (50th Construction Tractor Platoon; the letter B stands for Bau [Construction]) – equipped with wheeled tractors and trailers.

In addition to the units mentioned, there were five Air Force construction battalions subordinate to the command of the 2nd Regiment.

Airfield Modernization in 1943

Following the commencement of airfield modernization in 1943, the VIII Air District Command—acting in consultation with the SS and Police Commander—issued directives specifying the conditions under which Jews were to be employed for work on airfield installations. In October 1943, forced labor camps for Jews were established at the airfields, where the laborers were quartered. These camps were under the authority of the Air Force Construction Directorate in Zamość. In August 1943, detainees held in the resettlement camp in Zamość began to be assigned to work details at the airfields.

Operational Air Force Units Stationed in the Zamość Region

The Air Corps was responsible for operational matters and commanded a complement of assigned flying units. From June to early July 1941, units of the V Air Corps (V Fliegerkorps) were based within the Zamość airfield hub—specifically at the airfields of Zamość–Dub, Hostynne, Zamość–Klemensów, Zamość–Łabunie, and Zamość–Mokre—as well as at Krosno, Krosno–Leżany, Lublin–Świdnik, and Krosno–Moderówka. The Corps Headquarters (*Stab/V Fliegerkorps Zamość*) was stationed from June 16 through July 1941 at the Lipsko manor estate near Zamość; in July, it was relocated to Dubno. The Corps Commander was Generalfeldmarschall Robert von Greim, and the Chief of Staff was Colonel Hermann Plocher. Adjacent to the manor farm lay an airfield (*Landeplatz*), established on a leveled meadow and adapted for the landing of light liaison and transport aircraft. The construction work was carried out by Jews designated by the Judenrat of Zamość. Subsequently, the site fell out of use by the air force.

The primary objective of the Luftwaffe in the planned operation was to secure air superiority by destroying the enemy's air forces, as well as to provide support for ground force operations.

During the period from June to July 1944, units of the VIII Air Corps were once again based at the airfields of Jasionka, Lublin–Świdnik, Strunybaby (listed as such in German airfield records; located 40 km northwest of Lwów—its exact location remains unknown), Stryj, Łysiatycze, Lwów, Cuniów, Starzawa, Horodynia, and Krosno. Meanwhile, within the Zamość air hub—specifically at the airfields of Zamość–Łabunie, Zamość–Mokre, Zamość–Klemensów, and Zamość–Dub—the 102nd Hungarian Air Brigade, subordinate to the Corps, was stationed. The Corps Commander was General der Flieger Hans Seidemann, and the Chief of Staff was Colonel Thorsten Christ. Their headquarters were located in Lublin from May 13 to July 24, 1944.

Airfield Commands

Independent of the operational air forces, there existed Air Districts (*Luftgau*), which were responsible for the ground-based organization of the air arm. Operational units assigned to these districts received support through regional airfield commands (*Lufthafen*) situated within the respective Air District. Subordinate to the regional command were the operational airfields (*Einsatzhäfen*), with which they maintained direct telephone, teletype, and road connections. Stationed at these airfields were Air Base Commands (*Fliegerhorst Kommandantur*) or Airfield Commands (*Flugplatz Kommando*), responsible for the development, maintenance, and upkeep of infrastructure, the airfield's anti-aircraft and ground defense, and the provisioning of the units stationed there. Responsibility for aircraft servicing and unit discipline lay with the commander of the air regiment (or brigade).

An air base serves as a facility for the temporary stationing and ongoing provisioning of designated air units. It is equipped with an airfield, barracks, workshops, warehouses, a hospital, stocks of food and ammunition, and a permanent garrison. These bases serve as the staging grounds from which air forces launch combat operations.

Following the conclusion of combat operations in Poland on September 30, 1939, the southern portion of the General Government was placed under the authority of the VIII Air District Command, which was relocated from Wrocław to Kraków. The fundamental element consisted of existing Polish airfields where German units participating in combat—which had been transferred to the West in 1940—were stationed.

Beginning again in the spring of 1941, the establishment of bases at airfields within the General Government (GG) was resumed. Each base maintained a permanent garrison comprising: a base command (Fliegerhorst Kommandantur); an air communications platoon (Zug Luftnachrichten); an air construction battalion (Lw. Bau. Btl.) consisting of three companies; an air Landesschützen platoon responsible for the airfield's ground defense (Lw. Landesschützen Zug)—these Landesschützen units were staffed by older individuals and those deemed unfit for front-line service; and anti-aircraft artillery units (Flak-Einheiten). The base command staff included: the base commander, the anti-aircraft artillery commander, the commander of the military detachment assigned to airfield security, and an officer for special duties. Base commands and their assigned units were not permanently stationed in one location; rather, they were redeployed wherever it was necessary to ensure the operational functioning of an active airfield. An airfield was typically situated at a distance of 60–80 km from the front line. Facilities at permanent airfields included: several hangars for aircraft housing, an aircraft repair workshop (connected by concrete taxiways), a guardhouse, a fire station, a hospital, warehouses with an attached garage, an observation tower, several heated barracks, over a dozen aircraft parking stands, and positions for light anti-aircraft artillery.

Subordinate to the Zamość Airfield Command were Class II airbases (E-2)—Zamość–Klemensów, Zamość–Łabunie, and Zamość–Mokre—designated for the stationing of frontline bomber, fighter, and ground-attack aviation units, as well as temporary field airfields—Zamość–Dub and Hostynne—designated for tactical support aviation. In July 1941, all base commands, along with their aviation units, were relocated eastward. Upon vacating a field airfield, all its installations and equipment were to be left in situ.

Airfield Command of the 13th Air District Command: In April 1941, the 11th Airfield Command of the 12th Air District Command (*Flughafen Bereichs Kommando* 11/XII)—commanded by Major Kurt Estler—was transferred to Zamość. In Zamość, the 4th Airfield Command of the XIII Air District Command (Flughafen Bereichs Kommando 4/XIII) was formed on this basis; its commander was Major (from July 1, 1941, Lieutenant Colonel) Kurt Estler. At that time, the entire territory of the XII Air District was subordinated to the XIII Air District.

Subordinate to the 4th Airfield Command were all air base and airfield commands existing in the southern part of the General Government (GG). As of April 1941, these included operational airfields with air base commands (Fliegerhorst Kommandantur E-hafen): E 29/IV Dubno, E 21/VI Klemensów, E 10/VII Zamość–Mokre, E 9/IV Krosno–Moderówka, E 12/VII Jasionka, E 14/VII Kraków, E 15/VIII Częstochowa, and E 17/XII Łabunie. The letter "E" indicated that these were operational airfields designated for frontline units. On June 30, 1941, the 4th Airfield Command was relocated to Dubno.

1st Airfield Command of the VIII Air District Command

At the end of June 1941, the Wrocław–Schongarten Airfield Command of the VIII Air District Command (Flughafen Bereichs Kommando Breslau–Schongarten VIII) was relocated to Zamość. In Zamość, its name was changed to the 1st Airfield Command of the VIII Air District Command (Flughafen Bereichs Kommando 1/VIII); the commander was Colonel Oskar von Boeningk. In [that] year, it commanded the following air base commands: E 11/VII Lwów, E 29/IV Dub, E 21/VI Klemensów, E 10/VII Zamość–Mokre, E 29/IV Krosno–Moderówka, E 12/VII Jasionka, E 14/VII Kraków, and E 15/VIII Łabunie. In August 1941, following the eastward shift of the front line, the command headquarters was relocated from Zamość to Reichshof, and on January 23, 1943, to Lwów. In June 1944, it was transferred from Lwów to Zamość under the command of Col. Hans Jensen; by early July 1944, it was located in Wrocław. As of early 1943, the command exercised authority over the following airfield commands (*Flugplatz-Kommandos*): C 6/VIII Jasionka, A 8/VIII Lwów–Czerlany, C 8/VIII Zamość–Mokre, and C 9/VIII Mielec; the remaining airfields were not in use ("C" designated an airfield utilized for pilot training exercises, while "A" designated a training airfield subordinated to a flight school). As of April 1944, the commands of the active air bases were: E(v) 207/VIII Stryj, E(v) 212/VIII Łabunie, E(v) 220/VIII Starzawa, E(v) 221/VIII Stanisławów, and A 102/VIII Lwów [(v) indicates a mobile unit].

Air Force Institutions in Zamość, 1941–1944

Zweigstelle der Verwaltung des Luftgaukommando VIII Zamosc (Administration Branch of the 8th Air District Command in Zamość) – established in August 1941, following the relocation of the 1st Airfield Command from Zamość; situated on Jasna Street; headed by Chief Administrator and Government Inspector (Regierungsinspektor) Walter Schotte; responsible for general administration and the provisioning of active airfields; supervised construction works conducted at airfields by the Construction Directorate; had authority over air bases and the air force communications network.

Bauleitung der Luftwaffe Zamosc (Air Force Construction Directorate in Zamość) – located on Lwowska Street; headed by Construction Director (*Bauleiter*) Inspector Kugler; subordinate to the Administration Branch; responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of existing airfields, as well as modernization works; had authority over forced labor camps for Jews situated at the airfields.

Ortsvermittlungsstelle Zamosc (Local Communications Exchange in Zamość) – located in a barracks on... Street. [Located on] Kościuszki Street—staffed by two installers and 11 female telephone operators from the auxiliary service—it fell under the authority of the Administrative Branch; it served as a reporting point and maintained direct connections with the airfields.

Fliegerhorste (airbases)—in early 1944, the airbase hub in the Zamość area included active bases at Łabunie, Klemensów, and Mokre; these, too, were subordinate to the Administrative Branch.

Air Force Communications Units Stationed in Zamosc (1941)

Each air corps was assigned a communications regiment, comprising a service battalion and a line construction battalion. The regiment's mandate was to construct and operate the communications network, as well as to organize communications links among all air units and across the airbases.

Luftnachrichten-Regiment 13 (3rd Company, 13th Air District Signals Regiment) – a regiment formed prior to the war within the 13th Air District; it belonged to a specialized construction regiment established in early 1940 under the 4th Air Fleet (*Luftflotte 4*). In April 1941, the 3rd Company was dispatched to Zamość; it functioned as a specialized work detail tasked with constructing telephone and telegraph lines connecting headquarters with airfields, as well as within the airfields themselves. Comprising three platoons, the unit was subordinate to the 4th Airfield Command. On June 30, 1941, it was transferred to Dubno.

Stab und I (Betr.)/Luftnachrichten-Regiment 35 (Headquarters and 1st Operations Battalion, 35th Air Signals Regiment) – a regiment formed in March 1941. The regimental commander was Colonel Kurt Loebell (who simultaneously commanded the battalion). The unit was stationed in Zamość from June to July 1941 and was subordinate to the V Air Corps Command. The battalion provided communications support at airfields for flight units. In July 1941, it was transferred to Kirovograd.

Composition: 1/35 Telephone and Teleprinter Operations Company; 2/35 Radio Operations Company; 3/35 Air-to-Ground Communications Company; and a Technical Column.

3rd Company / 1st Battalion, 35th Communications Regiment (3. Kp./I Ln. Reg. 35) — Commander: Oberleutnant Franz Hoyer — was dispersed among various airfields to ensure communications support for flight units. In July 1941, the unit was transferred eastward; however, elements of the Radio Company remained at the airfields in Mokre, Klemensów, and Łabunie to ensure their continued operation.

Composition: Headquarters; two platoons—each comprising two groups equipped with long-range radio stations (12 units total within the company) and four power generators; and one platoon equipped with medium-range radio stations (six units).

Zamość Air Garrison Command

The Zamość–Mokre Air Garrison Command exercised authority over airfields that lacked their own independent commands: Sitaniec, Żdanów, and an unnamed airfield (located in Karolówka). The Luftwaffe utilized supplies from the Polish aviation fuel depot in Szastarka, which had been seized in 1939. It is estimated that these reserves sufficed until 1942.

Aviation Ground Units Stationed in Zamość

Transport, supply, and workshop units were classified as aviation ground units. When necessary, they were assigned to the commands of air bases (airfields). The base (airfield) commander was required to have three types of transport vehicles at his disposal: trucks, passenger cars, and tractors.

Kraftwagen Werkstattzug Lw. (o) 2/VIII (2nd Aircraft Repair Platoon, Air Force, District VIII) – a garrison workshop designated for the repair and technical maintenance of motor vehicles [(o) indicates that it was stationary].

Its composition included: three military foremen (the commander and two master mechanics); a repair team comprising two squad leaders, 11 engine mechanics (including the team leader), a carburetor specialist, a welder, two electromechanics, two lathe operators, two cooling system specialists, two blacksmiths, a saddler (for seat repairs), a painter, a bodywork carpenter, and six drivers; and a vehicle fleet consisting of a mobile workshop truck, a machinery truck (with a generator unit on a trailer), a small bus, a tracked tractor, and two cargo trucks (total personnel: 33).

Aircraft salvage squads, detached from their parent groups, were stationed at every airfield within the Zamość hub area from June to August 1941; in September 1941, they were redeployed eastward. Flugzeug Bergungstrupp 1/VIII (1st Aircraft Recovery Team, 8th District), Flugzeug Bergungstrupp 2/VIII (2nd Aircraft Recovery Team, 8th District), Flugzeug Bergungstrupp 3/VIII (3rd Aircraft Recovery Team, 8th District).

These units were responsible for the recovery and identification of the remains of pilots and passengers from destroyed or damaged aircraft, reporting their findings to airfield command for burial arrangements. They also handled the salvage of serviceable components from damaged or destroyed aircraft—both their own and those of the enemy. Dismantled components, equipment parts, and airframe sections (referring not to the aircraft model name, but specifically to the physical structure of the aircraft—the wings and fuselage elements from which it is constructed) were subjected to testing; serviceable items were forwarded to field repair depots, while the remainder were scrapped on-site.

Aviation Supply Units Stationed in Zamość

The 8th Aviation Group (Luftzeuggruppe 8), operating within the 8th Air District (Luftgau VIII), served as the primary quartermaster authority for supply organization and also oversaw the various workshop companies. The commander of the 8th Group was responsible for all aspects of supply, encompassing both technical and military requirements. Exceptions to this structure included the Luftparks (aviation parks), which reported directly to the command of the 8th Air District, as well as the provisioning of airbases—a process managed through specific supply sectors into which the district was subdivided. 8. The Aviation Group was subordinate to the command of the VIII Aviation District and was stationed in Kraków from 1943 to 1944.

Nachschubbezirk d. Lw. 2/VIII (2nd Air Force Supply District, VIII District) – stationed in Zamość from June 30, 1941; served as the quartermaster headquarters for airbases within the area of ​​the 1st Airfield Command, VIII District; all local depots were subordinate to it; disbanded on February 28, 1942.

Stb./Flieger Nachschub Kol. z.b.v. (Headquarters of the Special Purpose Air Supply Column) – stationed in June–July 1941; responsible for supplying units with aircraft ammunition and supervising ammunition storage conditions at airfields; transferred eastward in July 1941.

Composition: Headquarters Section – Commander, Adjutant, Medical Officer, Clerk, Medic, two Drivers (for a passenger car and a medium-sized bus); Ammunition Management Group – Commander, four Ordnance Technicians, six Supervisors, two Clerks, three Drivers (for a passenger car, a light bus, and a motorcycle).

Nachschub Kp. d. Lw. 6/VII (6th Air Force Supply Company, VII District) – stationed in June–July 1941; transferred eastward in July 1941.

Composition: Headquarters Section – Commander, Chief of Staff, Vehicle Mechanic, Medic, two Drivers (for a passenger car and a light truck). three platoons—each comprising a commander, five 11-man sections of tradesmen of various specialties, and three trucks with drivers—plus one cook (totaling 168 men across the three platoons); a technical platoon—consisting of a commander, a chief, a supply clerk, two construction technicians, a master builder, 44 construction specialists, and three trucks with drivers; a transport section—consisting of a commander, a light truck driver, a tailor, a cobbler, and a clerk.

kl. Fl. Betr. St. Kol. 4/IV (4th Small Aviation Fuel Column, IV District)—relocated to Hostynne in June 1941 (this small column was capable of transporting 25 cubic meters of fuel at a time); it was stationed in Zamość again in July 1941, and relocated further east later that same month; its composition included: a command section—consisting of a commander, a chief, a staff car driver, and two motorcyclists; and two groups—each comprising a group leader and two fuel dispensers, plus five trucks (each with a vehicle commander and a driver)—for a total of 10 vehicles; security group – commander; a light truck with a vehicle commander, a driver, and a cook.

Transport Kolonne der Luftwaffe 2/See (2nd Naval Aviation Transport Column) – mobilized in January 1940 as Flieger Nachschub Kolonne 2/See (2nd Naval Aviation Supply Column) at the Wilhelmshaven seaplane base; converted into TK d. Lw. 2/See and deployed in early 1941; transferred to the East in July 1941. Composition: seaplane command element—commander, chief of staff, passenger car driver, and two motorcyclists; three truck groups, five vehicles per group (15 trucks total), each with a two-person crew and a group commander; a train (logistics section) comprising two light trucks, each with a two-person crew, plus a cook and a quartermaster.

In July 1944:

Luftwaffe Pionier Bataillon 6 (6th Aviation Pioneer Battalion) – deployed to Zamość in July 1944; tasked with destroying the airfield infrastructure within the Zamość hub to prevent its use by Russian forces. Movable equipment was also removed; anything that could not be taken was destroyed.

Civilian Air Defense

Passive air defense was organized pursuant to a decree issued by the Governor-General on April 22, 1941. District heads (*Starostas*) were appointed as defense commanders within their respective territories. All residents were subject to mandatory air defense service.

In Zamość, the Luftschutzdienst Zamość (Auxiliary Air Defense Service) was established; its structure included an organized observation and reporting service—complete with observation posts—as well as firefighting and medical squads. One of these observation posts was situated atop the Town Hall tower. A mandatory blackout was imposed on all buildings and facilities throughout the city. The service was tasked with supporting the professional fire brigade of Zamość (*Feuerschutzpolizei*), commanded by Kert. Prior to the war, the fire brigade had been under local government jurisdiction; the Germans were the ones who introduced a formal ranking system within its ranks. City residents were conscripted into this service under duress. Both the fire brigade and the air defense service operated under the organizational framework of the German Order Police (Ordnungspolizei).

Airfield Air Defense

1941

Airfield air defense was the responsibility of anti-aircraft groups drawn from the ground support units of the air force units stationed at those airfields. Following their redeployment to the East in July 1941, the airfields were left without air defense coverage.

1943

According to intelligence reports from the Home Army (AK), only the airfields at Mokre and Łabunie possessed air defense capabilities.

Mokre: The schematic symbols and their descriptions within the airfield plan's legend suggest that the defense consisted of two anti-aircraft artillery platoons. These were positioned on the western side across three firing emplacements, each equipped with two guns and a searchlight. On the eastern side, there was a single firing emplacement for a heavy anti-aircraft machine gun, also equipped with a searchlight. In total, the defense comprised six anti-aircraft artillery gun crews, a machine-gun section, and four searchlights. Additionally, the site included a command post, a communications detachment, and an ammunition detachment.

Łabunie: The schematic diagram indicates 10 gun crews, positioned on the southern side of the airfield. Although searchlights are not explicitly listed, they must have been present, as they constituted an integral component of anti-aircraft artillery units. Furthermore, the site included a battery command post, a communications detachment, and an ammunition detachment.

1944

From May onwards, the detached 96th Light Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion [leichten Flak Abteilung 96 (v)]—part of the 99th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment (Flak Regiment 99), commanded by Lt. Col. Rainer Stahel (who was stationed in Lwów)—was garrisoned in the Zamojszczyzna region.

The battalion consisted of three anti-aircraft artillery batteries, commanded by Major Wilhelm Baumer.

The composition of each battery included: a Headquarters Section—comprising the commander, an ordnance technician, and a chief clerk; a Communications Section—comprising the section commander, a radio squad (one commander and three radio operators), and a telephone squad (one commander and three telephonists); a Firing Section—comprising three anti-aircraft gun platoons (each equipped with three 2 cm Flak 38 automatic cannons and three MG 15 anti-aircraft machine guns), a platoon commander, an armorer, an observer, three gun crew commanders, and 12 gunners; and an Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Platoon (four searchlights)—comprising a platoon commander, four searchlight crew commanders, and 12 crew members; and an Ammunition Section—comprising a section commander, four ammunition handlers, and eight observers. In total, across the three batteries, there were 27 cannons, 27 machine guns, and 12 searchlights. Machine guns were also utilized for ground defense; each gun crew was equipped with a handheld rangefinder (totaling 27 units).

Mokre: three platoons assigned—nine guns, nine machine guns, and four searchlights;
Łabunie: three platoons—nine guns, nine machine guns, and four searchlights;
Klemensów: two platoons—six guns, six machine guns, and three searchlights;
Żdanów: (presumably) one platoon—three guns, three machine guns, and one searchlight.

At each airfield, a permanent anti-aircraft observation post was situated atop a raised tower. It consisted of an observer equipped with binoculars and an assistant, connected via telephone line to the airfield command. Passive defense measures were also implemented, comprising anti-aircraft trenches for personnel shelter and bunkers for equipment storage.

Aircraft were positioned at dispersed hardstands, shielded by earthen embankments and camouflaged with netting.

Forced Labor Camp for Jews in the General Government

Forced Labor Camps for Jews in the General Government, No. 2888 Płoskie Główne — Precise information regarding this camp is lacking. Established on June 30, 1941, it was intended for men engaged in unloading trains. It was situated along the western boundary of the airfield in Mokre, adjacent to a newly constructed railway siding; residential barracks for the laborers were located right next to it. The camp was guarded by personnel from the SS-ukrainische Wachmannschaften. The camp was liquidated on May 31, 1943, and 400 Jews were deported to the Majdanek camp. See also: Labor Camps in Lublin District During the Holocaust.

Forced Labor Camps for Jews in the General Government, No. 3080 Zamość — Precise information regarding this camp is lacking. Established on July 28, 1940, it was intended for men working on the land reclamation of the Łabuńka River. Initially, it was located within the barracks of the 3rd Light Artillery Regiment of the Legions (in the Nadszaniec—the outer fortification). Known as the "Camp at the Bend" (*Obóz na Wykręcie*), it was subordinate to the Water Management Office in Zamość (*Wasserwirtschaftsamt Zamosc*). The guards were local Volksdeutsch youths serving in the self-defense militia (*Selbstschutz*). In October 1940, the camp was taken over by the Air Force Construction Directorate in Zamość (*Bauleitung der Luftwaffe*). The camp was subsequently relocated to barracks on [a specific] street. Peowiaków Street. Jewish prisoners were tasked with unloading construction materials shipped by rail at the Nowa Osada Loading Point (a ramp located off Peowiaków Street). On June 30, 1941, a portion of the prisoners was transferred to the newly established Płoskie Główne camp, situated adjacent to the airfield in Mokre. The camp was liquidated in early 1943, at which time the Jewish prisoners were transferred to the camp in Łabunie. It was guarded by a detachment of the SS-ukrainische Wachmannschaften.

The Luftwaffe Depot in Żdanów

Presumably established in August 1941, the depot was situated along the road leading to Mokre, directly opposite the farmstead buildings of Żdanów-Klucz. The depot operated under the command of the 8th Air Group. The depot grounds were paved with reinforced concrete slabs, upon which wooden storage sheds were erected. These slabs remained in place until the 1980s; the site is currently occupied by a retail pavilion. An aerial photograph dated August 26, 1944, reveals that the structures at this location had been deliberately destroyed.

Logistical support for the depot was provided by Luftwaffe loading columns and a transport column; these units were responsible not only for on-site operations at the depot but also for unloading railcars at the Zamość railway station and transporting the incoming materials to the depot. All the aforementioned columns were stationed at the site beginning in August 1941; in March 1942, they were redeployed eastward:

Verladekolonne d. Lw. 1/VIII (1st Loading Column of the Air Force, VIII District), Verladekolonne d. Lw 2/VIII (2nd Loading Column of the Air Force, VIII District), Verladekolonne d. Lw 3/VIII (3rd Loading Column of the Air Force, VIII District), Trsp. Kol. d. Lw 50/XI (50th Transport Column of the Air Force, XI District).

Composition: Headquarters: Commander, Chief, Staff Car Driver, two Motorcyclists; four Groups—each comprising: Group Commander, five medium trucks with a 2-man crew; Train: Commander, Medic, Supply Clerk, Cook, two light trucks with drivers.

From April 1942, the warehouse was staffed by Junacy—members of the newly formed Detachment (?)/407 of the General Government Construction Service (*Baudienst Abteilungen ?/407 Baudienst im Generalgouvernement*)—who replaced the Luftwaffe loading columns. This detachment was established in the Zamość district, comprising Polish youth who had been subjected to forced mobilization. The Junacy were quartered in barracks, issued uniforms, and organized along military lines. The detachment was commanded by an Inspector (a German), assisted by a Deputy (*Werkmeister*); the unit was subdivided into three platoons led by supervisors, which were further divided into three squads led by squad leaders. All positions from the rank of Werkmeister downward were reserved for Poles. The Junacy camp was situated within the buildings of the Żdanów-Klucz farmstead, located directly opposite the warehouse on the road leading to Mokre. Guard duty (*Lagerwache*) at the gatehouse was performed by supervisors and squad leaders, who were armed—while on duty—with long guns and a limited supply of ammunition. The base for the Construction Service transport column was located in Zamość, at the intersection of... Partyzantów / Odrodzenia (currently non-existent, destroyed during road expansion; some of the reinforced concrete slabs used to pave the site have partially survived). The unit was disbanded at the end of 1942; the Junacy (youth corps members) had been conscripted for a seven-month term.

From July 1942 onwards, two sub-camps—one for men and one for women—of the forced labor camps for Jews in Łabunie operated adjacent to the depot. In October 1943, sub-camps drawing from the camps in Mokre, Łabunie, and Klemensów were established alongside the newly created forced labor camp for Jews in Żdanów. The Jewish prisoners originating from these camps worked at the depot and formed loading detachments.

Żdanów Airfield

An NKVD report dated May 14, 1941, indicated that an airfield was under construction in Żdanów. It was not completed prior to the invasion on June 22. In January 1943, construction began on a 20-hectare airfield situated on the flat meadows near Zwódno (between the present-day Skokówka and Zwódno). The work was performed by Jewish prisoners from the camp located on Żdanowska Street in Zamość. Electricity was supplied from the power plant in Zamość (an overhead power line was constructed between Zamość and Żdanów). The facility lacked a designated runway or permanent support units. Due to its small size, it functioned as a landing ground (Landeplatz), which remained unused until May 1944.

On February 17, 1944, at 1:00 a.m., a German bomber crashed near the airfield; the explosion of its payload of bombs and fuel triggered panic in Zamość. The Germans believed that units of the 1st Ukrainian Partisan Division were advancing on the city and had attacked the airfield along the way.

In May 1944, the facility was expanded: the surrounding drainage ditches were filled in with earth, the airfield terrain was plowed and leveled, and living quarters and storage barracks were constructed. A field airfield (Feldflugplatz) was established, featuring a runway built according to new standards—specifically, a section of the Zwódne–Pniówek road adjacent to the airfield, paved with reinforced concrete slabs. A typical runway for fighter and ground-attack aviation measured 1,000 by 40 meters. After the war, this runway was referred to as the "German Road"; it no longer exists today. As late as the 1970s, a storage building could still be found alongside the road leading to Żdanów. The construction work was carried out by a platoon—dispatched from the airfield in Mokre—belonging to Unit 6/401 of the Construction Service (comprising 50 laborers). In July 1944, the facility served to relieve operational pressure on the airfield in Mokre.

German Aerial Photographs from 1944

Based on German aerial photographs dated August 26 and October 8, 1944, it is possible to determine the actual appearance of the Żdanów airfield at that time. It was situated in the fields between the buildings of present-day Skokówka and Zwódne, taking the shape of an irregular quadrilateral. To the north, it bordered the road connecting these two localities; it extended southward from the present-day Targowa Street, which linked the support facilities—located along the road to Zamość—with the airfield itself. Air-raid trenches were situated between the barracks, and evidence of deliberately destroyed support facilities is visible. Aerial photographs of Zamość and its surroundings are held in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in the USA.

Ground Units in 1944

The specific ground support units transferred in 1944 from the airfield in Mokre remain unknown. In July 1944, the airfield's reporting commandant was the commander of the 3rd Squadron of the 11th Fighter Aviation Regiment, Captain Horst Gunter von Fassong.

Aviation Units Stationed in 1944

Stb./NSGr. 2 (Headquarters of the 2nd Night Bomber Squadron) — stationed during the period of July 10–22, 1944 (relocated to Płaszów on July 23); commander: Captain Heinz Muller, equipped with one Ju 87D aircraft, 3/NSGr. 2 (3rd Squadron of the 2nd Night Bomber Group) – stationed July 10–22, 1944 (from July 23 in Płaszów); equipped with 12 Ju 87D aircraft; Commander: N.N., 4/NSGr. 2 (4th Squadron of the 2nd Night Bomber Group) – stationed July 9–22, 1944 (from July 23 in Płaszów); equipped with six Ju 87D aircraft, five Arado Ar 66C, and two Go 145s; the latter two types were training aircraft utilized as night bombers; Commander: N.N., Stb. III/JGr. 11 (Jagdgruppe) (Headquarters of the 3rd Group, 11th Fighter Wing) – stationed from July 13, 1944 (from the end of the month in Dęblin); Commander: Capt. Horst Gunter von Fassong; from July 9, 1944: Maj. Anton Hacki, 7/III JGr. 11 (7th Squadron of the 3rd Group, 11th Fighter Wing) – Commander: Capt. Hugo Frey; stationed from July 13, 1944 (at the end of the month in Dęblin), 8/III JGr. 11 (8th Squadron of the 3rd Group, 11th Fighter Regiment) – Commander: Capt. Jurgen Hans Eberhard Harder; stationed there from July 13, 1944 (from the end of the month, in Dęblin). 9 / III JGr. 11 (9th Squadron of the 3rd Group, 11th Fighter Regiment) – stationed there from July 13, 1944 (from the end of the month, in Dęblin); Commander: Oberleutnant Helmut Heinz Brandes. 12 / III JGr. 11 (12th Squadron of the 3rd Group, 11th Fighter Regiment) – stationed there from July 13, 1944 (at the end of the month, in Dęblin); Commander: Oberleutnant Henrich Paul Dahne. The 3rd Group was equipped with 38 Fw 190A fighter aircraft.

Forced Labor Camps for Jews in the General Government, No. 3093 Żdanów — There is a lack of precise information regarding its operation. The first mention of the camp dates back to October 1943; it was designated for men working on the construction of an airfield. These individuals were Jews transported from the camp in Poniatowa. The camp was situated along the road to Mokre, within the buildings of the Żdanów-Klucz farmstead. The guard duty was performed by watchmen from the SS-Ukrainische Wachmannschaften. The date of its liquidation remains unknown; following the completion of work at the airfield, the prisoners were presumably transferred to the camp in Mokre.

Zamość – Dub Airfield

Construction work commenced in early 1941. According to a report dated May 14, 1941, the airfield was still under construction. It ranked third in importance—after Klemensów and Łabunie—within the Zamość aviation complex. It was designated exclusively for single-engine aircraft. Although functioning as a permanent base, it was technically a field airfield, lacking permanent infrastructure. It was established on level, flat terrain with a grass surface, measuring 850 by 400 meters, and featured neither a designated takeoff area nor a paved runway. It was situated on a leveled field located on the western side of the road leading from the church in Dub to the parish cemetery, and to the south of the farm buildings at Michałówka. In June 1941, the airfield served as a base for fighter units, which flew escort missions for bombers operating out of Łabunie. On June 22, in order to rapidly scramble the entire unit, aircraft took off simultaneously from one end of the airfield, lined up side-by-side across its entire width. It functioned as an operational airfield, serving to provide air support. It lacked dedicated maintenance or support units; during its operational period in 1941, such support was provided by the Zamość garrison and the airfield at Łabunie. The field hospital and command post were housed within the buildings of the Michałówka farmstead, while the ammunition depot was located within the cemetery—specifically, inside the Rulikowski family chapel. Active only during June–July 1941; subsequently, it served as an unused reserve field airfield (*Feldflugplatz*), guarded by a small detachment formed from Volksdeutsch personnel. It became active once again in July 1944; with the approach of Russian forces, it was utilized as a temporary field airfield for the short-term stationing of aviation units.

Airbase Command

Fl.H.Kdtr. E 29/IV (*Fliegerhorst Kommandantur*) (29th Air Base Command, IV District) — transferred from Rijen, stationed here from April to July 1941; Commandant: Capt. August Joly. In July 1941, it was transferred to Volodymyr-Volynskyi. The Air Base Command simultaneously served as the command for the local aviation garrison.

Stb./NAGr. 15 (Headquarters of the 15th Reconnaissance Aviation Squadron) — stationed here from July 8 to July 22, 1944 (relocated to Turbia on July 23); Commander: Maj. Rudolf Jungfer. The unit possessed no aircraft of its own but provided ad hoc airfield support services during the period when aircraft were based there.

Composition: Headquarters, Staff Company, and a Motorized Aviation Communications Company.

Ground Support Units in 1941

Assigned from the Zamość garrison in June–July 1941; returned to Zamość in July.

Mittlerer Fl. Betr. St. Kol. 6/VIII (6th Medium Aviation Fuel Column, VIII District) — dispatched from Łabunie in June 1941, as the airfield lacked permanent fuel storage tanks; located in Łabunie on July 15; the medium fuel column was capable of transporting 50 cubic meters of fuel in a single trip. Radio section from the 3rd Company, 1st Battalion, 35th Aviation Signals Regiment.

Ground Support Units Stationed at the Airfield of the Aviation Units in 1941

They constituted an integral part of the stationed aviation units and, together with them, relocated to subsequent airfields.

In May–June 1941 – ground units of the 2nd Squadron of the 10th Reconnaissance Aviation Group (2(H)/AGr. 10), comprising: a technical group – a technical officer and 48 aircraft mechanics of various specialties, including the commander; a photographic group – a commander and 21 specialists in photography and aerial photographic equipment; a motorized communications platoon – 40 men, including the commander; a squadron supply group – a commander and 30 men; a transport section – a commander and 30 drivers, a vehicle with photographic equipment, an ambulance, two tanker trucks, a group of wheeled tractors with trailers, a group of cargo trucks, a group of passenger cars and motorcycles, a trailer-mounted radio station, and two towed field kitchens; anti-aircraft defense group – two 2 cm Flak 30 guns, manned by 10 personnel from the squadron’s supply group, utilized for airfield defense, June 18–30, 1941 – Staff Company of the 1st Squadron, 3rd Fighter Aviation Regiment, comprising: Company Commander; Staff and Logistics Support Group – 41 personnel including the Group Commander; Inspection Group – aircraft equipment inspector, engine inspector, airframe inspector; Technical Maintenance Group – 40 mechanics of various specialties, plus a spare parts depot team of six personnel; Aircraft Refueling Group – seven personnel, including a clerk; Flight Control Group – seven personnel including the Group Commander; Medical Group – 11 personnel including the Group Commander; Rescue Group – seven personnel including the Group Commander; Transport Section – Commander and 24 drivers, three fuel tankers, field kitchen truck, ambulance, a group of wheeled tractors with trailers, a group of cargo trucks, and a group of passenger cars and motorcycles; Air Defense Group – 120 men (four 2 cm Flak 30 automatic cannons and six MG 15 anti-aircraft machine guns), deployed for airfield defense.

Every aviation Gruppe (group), regardless of its specific role, possessed its own service company (*Flughafenbetriebskompanie* or FBK), consisting of four platoons. These included three general service platoons; furthermore, each Staffel (squadron) had its own dedicated service platoon—comprising 71 mechanics of various specialties and a spare parts depot—as well as a workshop platoon (a technical support detachment drawn from the Gruppe’s headquarters company). These companies were responsible not only for restoring combat readiness but also for conducting inspections and repairs on damaged aircraft.

Stationed at the airfield were the service company of the 1st Gruppe of the 3rd Fighter Wing (JG 3/FBK), along with two service platoons (attached to their respective squadrons) from the 3rd Gruppe of the same wing.

Aviation Units Stationed in 1941

Stb /I JGr. 3 “Udet” (Headquarters of the 1st Group, 3rd Fighter Wing) – Commander: Capt. Hans von Hahn; based there from June 18, 1941 (from June 30 in Lutsk), 1/I JGr. 3 “Udet” (1st Squadron, 1st Group, 3rd Fighter Wing) – stationed there from June 18, 1941 (from June 30, 1941, in Lutsk); Commander: Oberleutnant Josef Haibock, 2/I JGr. 3 “Udet” (2nd Squadron, 1st Group, 3rd Fighter Wing) – stationed there from June 18, 1941 (from June 30 in Lutsk); Commander: Oberleutnant Walter Dahl, 3/I JGr. 3 “Udet” (3rd Squadron, 1st Group, 3rd Fighter Wing) – stationed there from June 18, 1941 (from June 30, 1941, in Lutsk); Commander: Oberleutnant Max Bucholz. The 1st Group was equipped with 35 Messerschmitt Bf 109F fighter aircraft. 7/III JGr. 3./III JG 3 “Udet” (3rd Squadron, 3rd Group, 3rd Fighter Wing) – stationed from June 23, 1941 (from June 26 in Lutsk); Commander: Oberleutnant Kurt Sochatzy. 8./III JG 3 “Udet” (8th Squadron, 3rd Group, 3rd Fighter Wing) – stationed from June 23, 1941 (from June 26 in Lutsk); Commander: Oberleutnant Franz Beyer.

2(H)/AGr. 10 “Tannenberg” (Aufklärungsstaffel) (2nd Squadron, 10th Reconnaissance Group) – assigned to the XXXXII Army Corps (subordinate to the Air Commander of the 6th Army); stationed in May–June 1941 (from July in Zhytomyr). Equipment consisted of nine Henschel Hs 126 B aircraft and one Ju 52 transport aircraft (at the disposal of the Group Commander). Commander: Capt. Hans Joachim Jäger. Presumably, in May 1941, it was stationed at the Komarów-Osada landing ground; from June—following the completion of construction—it was stationed at the airfield in Dub. From May onwards, it conducted reconnaissance flights over the territory of the USSR.

Ground Units Stationed in 1944

From 1943 onwards, aviation units did not possess their own dedicated maintenance companies; instead, they were required to utilize maintenance units located at airfields subordinate to the 8th Aviation Group (Quartermaster Corps).

Since no dedicated maintenance personnel were permanently stationed at the airfield, maintenance support for the resident aviation units was provided by: the locally stationed Staff and Communications Companies of the 15th Reconnaissance Aviation Squadron Command, as well as unidentified units dispatched from the airfield in Łabunie.

Aviation Units Stationed in 1944

(Ung.) ASt. 3/1 (Hungarian 3rd Close Reconnaissance Squadron of the 1st Reconnaissance Aviation Squadron)—Commander: Capt. Imre Telbisz; equipped with eight Me Bf 109 G fighter aircraft; stationed from March 29, 1944 (relocated to Łabunie on May 19).

Stb./III SGr. 2 "Immelmann" (*Schlachtgeschwader Gruppe*) (Command of the 3rd Squadron of the 2nd Assault Aviation Regiment)—Commander: Maj. Hans-Ulrich Rudel; stationed in July 1944 (relocated to Mielec on July 22).

7/III SGr. 2./III SG 2 "Immelmann" (7th Squadron, 3rd Group, 2nd Assault Aviation Regiment) – stationed in July 1944 (from July 22 in Mielec); Commander: N.N.

8./III SG 2 "Immelmann" (8th Squadron, 3rd Group, 2nd Assault Aviation Regiment) – stationed in July 1944 (from July 22 in Mielec); Commander: Lt. Helmut Fickel.

9./III SG 2 "Immelmann" (9th Squadron, 3rd Group, 2nd Assault Aviation Regiment) – stationed in July 1944 (from July 22 in Mielec); Commander: Lt. Wilhelm Grune. The 3rd Group was equipped with 25 Junkers Ju 87D aircraft.

10 (Pz)/ SGr. 2 “Immelmann” (10th Anti-Tank Squadron of the 2nd Assault Aviation Regiment) – Commander: Oberleutnant Helmut Schubel; stationed in July 1944 (from July 22 in Mielec); equipped with five Ju 87 G aircraft (armed with two 37 mm cannons); operated as an independent squadron within the regiment.

10 (Pz)/ SGr. 9 (10th Anti-Tank Squadron of the 9th Assault Aviation Regiment) – Commander: Oberleutnant Rudolf Heinz Ruffer; stationed July 6–12, 1944; transferred to Łabuń on July 13; equipped with 12 Hs 129 B aircraft; operated as an independent squadron within the regiment.

3/NAGr. 4 (Nahaufklärungsgruppe) (3rd Squadron of the 4th Reconnaissance Aviation Group) – stationed July 10–20, 1944 (from July 21 in Turbia); equipped with 11 Me Bf 109 G aircraft; Commander: N.N.

Zamość – Klemensów Airfield

Construction work at the airfield commenced in early 1941. A report dated May 14, 1941, stated that an airfield was being built in the vicinity of the Klemensów castle (palace). It featured a level, grass surface measuring 1,325 x 1,050 m, and a concrete runway measuring 1,190 x 50 m, running from the southeast to the northwest. A standard runway for He 111 bombers was typically required to measure 1,400 x 50 m (with a maximum width of 60 m and a minimum length of 1,200 m). Material and service facilities were available on-site during periods of intensive use. In 1941, support was provided by the Zamość aviation garrison. In 1941, the depot for bombs and aerial ammunition was located within the sugar factory’s warehouses, while the fuel depot was situated in the park adjacent to the Zamoyski Palace; the hospital and airfield command were quartered in the nearby palace. Electrical power was supplied by the Zamość Estate’s hydroelectric power plant, located on the Wieprz River near the palace in Klemensów. The sugar factory’s narrow-gauge railway was utilized to transport materials to the airfield.

It served as an operational airfield, utilized by the Luftwaffe during June and July 1941; subsequently, it functioned as an unused reserve airfield, before serving as a training airfield during the summer of 1942. In late 1943, dispersed individual aircraft parking stands, protected by earthen embankments, were constructed. From the spring of 1944, the site served as an operational airfield utilized by Hungarian air units. In February 1944, a military aviation hospital was established within the Klemensów Palace, though it was subsequently disbanded in March.

German Aerial Photographs from 1944

Based on German aerial photographs dated July 22 and 30, 1944, it is possible to reconstruct the appearance of the airfield during the final period of its use by the Germans. It occupied a substantial, irregularly shaped area situated to the west of the road leading to Zamość. The facility consisted of a flight field featuring—in its central section—a concrete runway measuring 1,230 by 50 meters (although descriptions accompanying some aerial photographs cite dimensions of approximately 900 by 50 meters), oriented from northwest to southeast. Taxiways connecting the parking stands converged at both ends and the midpoint of the runway. Located to the south of the runway was an aircraft parking apron—reinforced with steel mesh—which lacked designated individual parking stands. Along the northern boundary of the airfield 10 individual aircraft stands, shielded by earthen embankments and concealed along the edges of three wooded clumps; additionally, situated between them were seven concealed individual parking spots. In the northwestern sector, there were two individual stands, each shielded by an earthen embankment. Personnel quarters were located in barracks situated along the Zamość road, just prior to the buildings of the factory settlement—at this specific location, the photograph reveals traces of destruction. The fuel depot was situated along the road to Michałowo, outside the built-up area, comprising four tanks housed within earthen pits. The photograph dated July 22 shows no Russian aircraft yet stationed at the site; a subsequent image, however, indicates that the airfield was operational and had been subjected to bombing.

Airbase Command

The command of the air base (airfield) simultaneously served as the command of the local air garrison.

Fl.H.Kdtr. E 21/VI (21st Air Base Command, 6th District) – mobilized in late 1940; stationed there from April to July 1941 (Commandant: Capt. Henry Luders); transferred to Zhytomyr in August 1941.

Fl.PlaRKdo. Klemensow (Ung.) (Hungarian Airfield Command) – detached from the 102nd Air Brigade Command; stationed there from May to July 1944.

Units directly subordinate to the V Air Corps Command in 1941:

Lw. KBK 5 (Luftwaffen-Kriegsberichterkompanie 5) (5th Air Force Propaganda Company) – assigned to each air corps; based there in July 1941, during which month it was transferred eastward.

Composition: Command element, two light war correspondent platoons, one heavy war correspondent platoon, two propaganda squads, two film projection squads, a leaflet depot, a technical support squad, and a motor pool (comprising drivers and a vehicle group).

Airport Ground Support Units in 1941

Wetterbeobachtungszentrale (mot.) d. Lw. 11/XVII (11th Motorized Meteorological Station of the Air Force, 17th District) – stationed there in June–July 1941; it provided support to all airfields within the Zamość hub; relocated eastward in July 1941; subordinate to the Airfield Command.

Composition: Command Section – Station Commander, four meteorologists, staff meteorological vehicle with a driver; Communications Group – Commander, vehicle equipped with a radio station, telephone operator section (seven personnel including the commander); Weather Assessment Team – Commander, six meteorologists, two meteorological vehicles with drivers; Printing Team – Commander, four printers, three drivers (two vehicles equipped with printing presses and one with a power generator); Repair Team – Foreman, three engine mechanics, and one general mechanic.

Ldssch. Zug d. Lw. 8/VIII (Landesschützenzug der Luftwaffe) (Platoon of the 8th Company of Territorial Riflemen of the Air Force, VIII District) – subordinate to the Base Commander; responsible for airfield security; authorized strength of 46 personnel (including one officer); equipped with one light machine gun.

Flieger-Geräteausgabestelle 4/VIII (4th Aircraft Equipment Distribution Point, VIII District) – a mobile unit housed in railway cars; stationed at the Klemensów railway station from April to July 1941; transferred eastward in July 1941.

Lw.Bau.Btl. 17/XI (17th Air Force Construction Battalion, XI District) – formed in early 1941; comprised three companies; assigned to airfield construction duties; stationed at the site from March to July 1941; transferred to Zamość in July.

Fahrkolonne d. Lw. 18/VIII (18th Air Force Transport Column, VIII District) – formed in early 1941; subordinate to the Base Commander; transferred eastward in August 1941.

Composition: Headquarters – Commander, Chief of Staff, medic, veterinarian, liaison officer, clerk, and two motorcycle couriers; two platoons, each comprising 20 two-horse wagons with two-man crews (including two farriers, a saddler, and a tailor). Train – commander, quartermaster, 10 wagons with a one-man crew (including a blacksmith), two horse-drawn field kitchens (with two cooks serving as drivers).

Ground Echelon Units of Air Units in 1941

These were organic units of the air detachments, which moved alongside them to successive airfields—specifically, two staff companies belonging to the 3rd Gruppe of the 55th Fighter-Bomber Regiment and the 2nd Gruppe of the 210th Bomber Regiment. Both were stationed during June–July 1941 with the following composition: a company commander; a staff and logistics support group (41 personnel); an inspection group (comprising an equipment inspector, an engine inspector, and an airframe inspector); a maintenance group (40 mechanics of various specialties, including a spare parts section of six personnel); an aircraft refueling group (seven personnel); a flight control group (seven personnel); a medical group (11 personnel); a rescue group (seven personnel); a transport echelon (a commander and 24 drivers, three fuel tankers, a mobile field kitchen, an ambulance, a group of wheeled tractors with trailers, a group of trucks, and a group of passenger cars and motorcycles); and an air defense group (120 personnel—equipped with four 2 cm Flak 30 guns and six MG 15 anti-aircraft machine guns—deployed for airfield defense). The airfield hosted the 3rd Maintenance Company of the 3rd Group of the 55th Bomber Wing (3. KG 55/FBK), comprising three maintenance platoons (one platoon per squadron) and a workshop platoon (drawn from the maintenance group of the Group Staff Company). The Maintenance Company of the 2nd Group of the 210th Bomber Wing (SKG 210/FBK) had an identical organizational structure.

Aviation Units Stationed in 1941

Stb./III KG 55 "Greif" (Headquarters of the 3rd Group, 55th Bomber Wing) – Commander: Capt. Heinrich Wittmer; stationed from June 18, 1941 (from July 16, 1941, in Lutsk).

7./III KG 55 "Greif" (7th Squadron, 3rd Group, 55th Bomber Wing) – Stationed from June 18, 1941 (from July 16 in Lutsk); Commander: Lt. Peter Baumgartner.

8./III KG 55 "Greif" (8th Squadron, 3rd Group, 55th Bomber Wing) – Stationed from June 18, 1941 (from July 16 in Lutsk); Commander: Lt. Bernhard Hickel.

9./III KG 55 "Greif" (9th Squadron, 3rd Group, 55th Bomber Wing) – stationed from June 18, 1941 (from July 16 in Lutsk); Commander: Lt. Matthias Bermadier.

The 3rd Group was equipped with 25 Heinkel He 111H bombers.

Stb./II SKGr. 210 (Schnellkampfgruppe) (Headquarters, 2nd Group, 210th Fast Bomber Wing) – Commander: Capt. Rolf Kaldrack; stationed from June 30, 1941 (from July 6 in Minsk); the staff was equipped with five Me Bf 110C aircraft.

4/II SKGr. 210 (4th Squadron, 2nd Group, 210th Fast Bomber Wing) – stationed from June 30, 1941 (from July 6 in Minsk); Commander: Oberleutnant Walter von Poka.

5/II SKGr. 210 (5th Squadron, 2nd Group, 210th Fast Bomber Wing) – stationed from June 30, 1941 (from July 6 in Minsk); Commander: N.N.

6/II SKGr. 210 (6th Squadron, 2nd Group, 210th Fast Bomber Wing) – stationed from June 30, 1941 (from July 6 in Minsk); Commander: N.N. The 2nd Squadron was established as a combat unit formed from Erprobungsgruppe 210 (Test Squadron 210); its mission was to test the new Messerschmitt Me 210 bombers. As it did not receive them, it was equipped with a total of 37 Me Bf 110C aircraft.

Air Force Units Stationed in 1942

Stab III Ausbildungs- und Sammel-Regiment Fliegerkorps VIII (3rd Battalion of the Training and Replacement Regiment, VIII Air Corps) — from May to October 1942, this served as an operational airfield (*Arbeitsplatz*) designated for the field training of pilots; the school itself was housed in the palace at Klemensów. From late 1942 onwards, the airfield remained unused, guarded by security personnel from the local sugar factory and railway station.

Ground Units Stationed in 1944

Each Hungarian squadron possessed its own dedicated maintenance flight, which was responsible not only for restoring the combat readiness of aircraft at the airfield but also for conducting on-site inspections and repairs of damaged aircraft.

German Security Units Stationed at the Airfield

▪ leichte Flak-Abteilung 96 (v) (light anti-aircraft artillery battalion of the 96th Light Artillery Detachment) – six 2 cm Flak 30 guns and six anti-aircraft machine guns, a searchlight platoon (three units),

▪ a platoon from an airfield security company,

▪ a repair workshop, located within the brickworks buildings,

▪ a radio section from the 5th Company, 3rd Battalion, 38th Air Signal Regiment (a regiment subordinated to the VIII Air Corps); in July 1944, the 5th Company was incorporated into the regiment's 3rd Battalion,

▪ an airfield guard platoon (security detail), present since the spring of 1944,

▪ a platoon of Junaks (labor service personnel) from Detachment 6/401 of the Construction Service (*Baudienst*) for the Lublin District, stationed there since the spring of 1944; the Junaks performed auxiliary work at the airfield.

Air Units Stationed There in 1944:

A fast bomber squadron of the 102nd Hungarian Air Brigade was organized at the Klemensów airfield, comprising two flight squadrons and a ground support squadron.

(Ung.) KSt. 102/2 (Hungarian 2nd Bomber Squadron of the 102nd Brigade) – equipped with five Ju 88 A bomber aircraft; in May 1944, it was deployed to Klemensów for reorganization. Following re-equipment with 18 Me 210 Ca aircraft, it was redesignated as SKSt. 102/1 (1st Squadron of the 102nd Brigade’s Fast Bomber Group) and was stationed there from May to July 1944.

(Ung.) SKSt. 102/3 (Hungarian 3rd Fast Bomber Squadron of the 102nd Brigade) – was redesignated as SKSt. 102/2 (2nd Squadron of the 102nd Brigade’s Fast Bomber Group); equipped with 18 Me 210 Ca aircraft, it was stationed there from May to July 1944. In June 1944, the Group was assigned to Operation "Sturmwind."

(Ung.) Fliegerführer 102 (Headquarters of the 102nd Hungarian Air Brigade) – stationed there only on July 6, 1944 (stopover).

Forced Labor Camp for Jews in the General Government

No. 2730 Klemensów — There is a lack of precise information regarding its operation. The first mention dates back to October 1943; the camp was intended for men working on the expansion of the airfield. It had a sub-camp in Żdanów. In October, 250 Jews sent from the Luftwaffe camp in Zamość were employed at the airfield. Presumably, at the end of January 1944, the remaining 95 Jews were shot on the spot. The guards were Wachmänner from the SS-ukrainische Wachmannschaften.

Zamość – Łabunie Airfield

Even before the war, plans were made to relocate the airfield from Mokre to Łabunie; however, this was not realized due to financial reasons. Towards the end of 1940, the Germans began transporting building materials to the site of the future airfield. Work commenced in early 1941. According to a report dated May 14, 1941, construction of the airfield had been completed, and underground reinforced-concrete hangars (200) had been built—though this has not been confirmed. Along the southern boundary, there were three excavations intended for fuel tanks.

The airfield featured a level, smooth, grassy surface measuring 1145 x 825 m. A concrete runway measuring 1235 x 50 m was constructed, running in an east–west direction. In June 1941, bomber aviation units were stationed there. The standard runway for He 111 bombers was designed to measure 1,400 by 50 meters. From the outset, the facility featured extensive maintenance infrastructure. It served as an operational airfield—the largest and most active within the Zamość complex during the invasion of the USSR—though its significance subsequently diminished. Electrical power was supplied by the Zamość power plant; in early 1941, an overhead power line connecting Zamość to Łabunie was constructed, along with an overhead substation at Łabunie.

In the summer of 1942, it functioned as a training airfield; by early 1943, it had been repurposed as a transit airfield for the landing of individual aircraft—or small groups thereof—flying within a designated air corridor linking Germany with the Eastern Front. From May 1943 to February 1944, it remained an unused reserve airfield. In September 1943, modernization work commenced at the airfield, with laborers working around the clock. From February 1944—as the front lines drew near—it once again resumed its role as an operational airfield.

The palace was requisitioned to serve as headquarters for the staff, while the park grounds housed a fuel and ammunition depot, as well as concealed dispersal hardstands for individual aircraft. Each [emplacement] covered an area of ​​400 m² and was semicircular in shape, shielded by earthen embankments approximately 3 meters high; the inner slopes were revetted with wooden planks, while the interior surface and access road were reinforced with wooden logs. Air-raid trenches for the personnel were dug within the park grounds. The hospital was situated within the farmstead buildings. On July 21, 1944, the airfield was bombed five times by Russian forces.

German Aerial Photographs from 1944

Based on German aerial photographs dated September 15 and October 8, 1944, it is possible to reconstruct the appearance of the airfield during the final period of its use by the Germans. The manor park, along with the palace situated within it, divided the airfield into two sections. To the north lay the flight field, featuring a concrete runway. Aircraft were parked along the southern boundary of the park; this area was connected to the flight field—running along its eastern edge—by a taxiway leading to the runway.

The park itself was utilized to conceal aircraft; along its southern and northern boundaries, there were 23 individual aircraft hardstands. The southern section of the airfield served as a parking area featuring dispersed, individual aircraft hardstands—each protected by earthen embankments—totaling 13 units. This parking area was connected to the flight field by a taxiway running along the western edge of the park. Access roads from all the individual hardstands converged at the southern edge of this taxiway. Between the eastern boundary of the parking lot and the farmstead lay the airfield's logistical support area (shown in the photograph in a destroyed state). Anti-aircraft trenches have been dug throughout the site. The photograph clearly shows that the airfield was subjected to bombing. One can also observe deliberate acts of destruction carried out by the retreating German forces.

Airfield Command

The base (airfield) command simultaneously served as the command for the local air garrison.

Fl.H.Kdtr. E 17/XII (17th Air Base Command, 12th District) – transferred from Laval in April 1941; stationed at the site from April to June 1941; Commandant: Capt. Johann Gehfink; transferred to Młynów in June.

Fl.H.Kdtr. E 15/VIII (15th Air Base Command, 8th District) – transferred from Częstochowa in late June 1941; stationed at the site from July to August 1941; Commandant: Capt. Leo Schmolka; relocated to Biała Cerkiew on August 24.

FlugplaR Kommando Labunie mit Fl.H.Kdtr. E 11/VII Lublin-Świdnik (Airfield Reporting Command, subordinate to the 11th Air Base Command, 7th District) – detached in August 1941 from the Lublin–Świdnik Air Base Command; stationed at the site from August to November 1941; Base Commandant: Capt. Dr. Eugen Fuchs, in November 1941 in the town of Biała Cerkiew, Zwischenlandeplatz 12/VIII (12th Transit Airfield, District VIII) – in February–March 1943, it served as an auxiliary airfield, utilized solely for intermediate stops within a designated air corridor between Germany and the Eastern Front, as well as for emergency landings; during the period April 1943 – January 1944, it functioned as an unused reserve airfield, Fl.H.Kdtr. E 10/VII (10th Airbase Command, District VII) – transferred from Uman on February 17, stationed there during the period February–March 1944; Commander: Capt. Karl Rau. On April 1, 1944, in Łabunie, its designation was changed to Airbase Command E (v) 212, Fl.H.Kdtr. E (v) 212/VIII (212th Airbase Command, District VIII) – stationed there during the period April–July 1944; Commander: Capt. Karl Rau. In October 1944—by then located outside of Łabunie—it was disbanded [(v) indicated that the unit was in transit].

A Unit Directly Subordinate to the Command of the 8th Air District in 1941

Feldwerft Abt. (mot.) I/40 d. Lw. (1st Motorized Detachment of the 40th Field Repair Workshop of the Air Force).

Aircraft repairs were carried out by detachments of repair workshops, field repair workshops, and field repair workshop detachments; these field workshops were established by aircraft manufacturing plants to perform aircraft repairs—typically within 3 to 10 days—directly at the front line, thereby eliminating the need to transport the aircraft to facilities located deep in the rear.

The 40th Field Detachment was formed in early 1941. It comprised 300–400 personnel and consisted of three light detachments (I–III) and one heavy detachment (IV); each detachment possessed a specific specialization, allowing for the comprehensive repair of equipment. The management of repair operations was vested in the commands of the respective air districts; the 40th Field Workshop was subordinate to the command of the 8th Air District. In July 1941, it was stationed in Łabunie, after which it was transferred to Lwów. Located there was Feldluftpark 2/XIII (the 2nd Field Air Park of the 13th District).

Airport Ground Support Units in 1941

Flieger Werkstattzug (mot.) 2 (2nd Motorized Aviation Repair Platoon) – stationed there in July 1941, subsequently transferred to the East; composition: commander, chief, supply officer, two foremen, 50 mechanics of various specialties, spare parts depot (three personnel); vehicle fleet; m.Fl.Betr.St.Kol. 6/III (6th Medium Aviation Fuel Column, 3rd District) – stationed there on July 15, 1941 (transferred from Duba); transferred to the East in July 1941; composition: command element – ​​commander, chief, staff car driver, two motorcyclists; three truck groups (totaling 15 trucks), each with a vehicle commander and a driver, plus a group commander and two fuel dispensers; support train – two light trucks with crews (one crew included a medic instead of a vehicle commander), train commander (a motorcyclist), cook, and quartermaster; Ldssch. Zug d. Lw. 10/VIII (Platoon of the 10th Home Guard Rifle Company of the Air Force, VIII District) – subordinate to the base commander; responsible for airfield security; authorized strength of 46 men (including one officer); equipped with one light machine gun.

Air Force construction battalions were deployed in April 1941 to construct airfields. Depending on operational requirements, they were transferred to various airfields by the command of the 2nd Air Force Construction Regiment; upon completion of their work—effective July 15, 1941—all the battalions listed below were stationed in Łabunie.

Lw.Bau.Btl. 4/I (4th Construction Battalion of the Air Force, I District) – composed of three companies and a transport column with equipment; transferred eastward in July 1941. Lw.Bau.Btl. 5/VI (5th Construction Battalion of the Air Force, VI District) – composed of three companies and a transport column with equipment; transferred to Kharkiv in early 1942.

Lw.Bau.Btl. 2/VIII (2nd Construction Battalion of the Air Force, VIII District) – composed of three companies and a transport column with equipment; transferred to Kharkiv in July 1941. In June 1944, the battalion was redesignated as Luftwaffe Pionier Bataillon 6 (6th Air Force Pioneer Battalion) and placed under the command of the VIII Air District.

Lw.Bau.Btl. 9/VIII (9th Construction Battalion of the Air Force, 8th District)—comprising three companies and a transport column with equipment—was disbanded on-site at the end of 1942.

Ground Echelons of Based Aviation Units in 1941

These were integral components of the aviation units and, together with them, were transferred to subsequent airfields.

In June 1941, two staff companies—from the 1st and 2nd Gruppen (Groups) of the 55th Bomber Regiment—were stationed there; each Stabskompanie (Staff Company) of KG 55 consisted of: a company commander; a staff and logistics support group (41 personnel); an inspection group—comprising an equipment inspector, an engine inspector, and an airframe inspector; a technical maintenance group—40 mechanics of various specialties, supported by a spare parts depot (six personnel); an aircraft refueling group (seven personnel); a flight control group (seven personnel); a medical group (11 personnel); a rescue group (seven personnel); a transport echelon—consisting of a commander and 24 drivers, three fuel tankers, a field kitchen truck, an ambulance, a group of wheeled tractors with trailers, a group of cargo trucks, and a group of passenger cars and motorcycles; and an anti-aircraft defense group (120 personnel—equipped with four 2 cm Flak 30 cannons and six MG 15 anti-aircraft machine guns)—deployed for the defense of the airfield. Two maintenance companies were stationed at the airfield: the 4th and 5th Companies of the 55th Bomber Aviation Regiment (4./KG 55 and 5./KG 55). Each consisted of four platoons: three maintenance platoons (one platoon for each squadron of the Gruppe) and one workshop platoon (a technical maintenance group drawn from the Gruppe headquarters company). The Headquarters of the 55th Bomber Aviation Regiment maintained its own repair team: 12 mechanics and a technical officer.

Aviation Units Stationed in 1941

Stab/KG 55 "Greif" (Headquarters, 55th Bomber Aviation Regiment) – equipped with four Heinkel He 111H bombers, one Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter, and one light transport aircraft; Commander: Lt. Col. Hans Korte (from July 1944: Lt. Col. Benno Kosch); stationed there from June 17, 1941 (relocated to Młynów on July 16).

Stab/I./KG 55 "Greif" (Headquarters, 1st Gruppe, 55th Bomber Aviation Regiment) – Commander: Maj. Rudolf Kiel; stationed there from June 12, 1941 (relocated to Bojary on July 20).

1./I./KG 55 “Greif” (1st Squadron, 1st Group, 55th Bomber Wing) – stationed from June 12, 1941 (from July 20 in Bojary); Commander: Capt. Karl Rauer.

2/I KGr. 55 “Greif” (2nd Squadron, 1st Group, 55th Bomber Wing) – stationed from June 12, 1941 (from July 20 in Bojary); Commander: Capt. Dieter Hans Clemm von Hohenberg.

3/I KGr. 55 “Greif” (3rd Squadron, 1st Group, 55th Bomber Wing) – stationed from June 12, 1941 (from July 20 in Bojary); Commander: Oberleutnant Erich Baumgartel.

The 1st Group was equipped with 27 He 111H bombers.

Stb/II KG 55 “Greif” (Headquarters, 2nd Group, 55th Bomber Wing) – Commander: Maj. Dr. Ernest Kuhl; stationed from June 18, 1941 (from July 17 in Młynów).

4/II KGr. 4/II KGr. 55 “Greif” (4th Squadron, 2nd Group, 55th Bomber Wing) – stationed from June 18, 1941 (from July 17 in Młynów); Commander: Oberleutnant Otto Bernhard Harms.

5/II KGr. 55 “Greif” (5th Squadron, 2nd Group, 55th Bomber Wing) – stationed from June 18, 1941 (from July 17 in Młynów); Commander: Capt. Wilhelm Antrup.

6/II KGr. 55 “Greif” (6th Squadron, 2nd Group, 55th Bomber Wing) – stationed from June 18, 1941 (from July 17 in Młynów); Commander: Oberleutnant Henrich Hofer. The 2nd Group was equipped with 24 He 111H bombers.

4(F)/AGr. 121 (4th Squadron, 121st Long-Range Reconnaissance Group) – stationed in June–July 1941 (from August in Kirovograd); subordinated directly to the command of the V Air Corps; Commander: Capt. Kerber; equipped with nine Junkers Ju 88D aircraft.

Aviation Units Stationed in 1942

Stab I Ausbildungs- und Sammel-Regiment Fliegerkorps VIII (Headquarters, 1st Training and Replacement Regiment, VIII Air Corps) — from May to October 1942, this served as an operational airfield (*Arbeitsplatz*) designated for the field training of pilots. The training school was housed in the palace at Łabunie. From late 1942 onwards, the airfield remained inactive; the only unit stationed there was a small airfield security detachment, formed from Volksdeutsch personnel.

Ground Units Stationed in 1944

Hungarian maintenance and support units subordinate to the command of the 102nd Air Brigade. Each Hungarian aviation squadron possessed its own dedicated ground maintenance flight.

German Security Units

▪ Light Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery (l. Flak-Abt. 96) – nine 2 cm Flak 38 automatic cannons and nine anti-aircraft machine guns,
▪ Radio section from the 5th Company, 3rd Battalion, 38th Air Signal Regiment,
▪ Flughafen Betrieb Kompanie (Qu) [Airport Service Company (Quartermaster)] – from 1943 onwards, air units no longer possessed their own organic service companies; instead, a company permanently assigned by the 8th Air Group Command (Quartermaster Branch) was stationed at the airfield. It operated under the authority of the airbase commander and consisted of four platoons (three service platoons and one workshop platoon), comprising a total of 150 aircraft mechanics of various specialties,
▪ Guard platoon – equipped with one machine gun.

Air Units Stationed in 1944

1./NSGr. 4 (1st Squadron, 4th Night Bomber Group) – stationed from April 7 to April 25, 1944 (subsequently relocated to Połonne); equipped with 17 Gotha Go 145 aircraft; Commander: Oberleutnant Helmut Brudermüller,

2./NSGr. 4 (2nd Squadron of the 4th Night Bomber Group) – stationed from April 7 to April 25, 1944 (subsequently in Połonne); equipped with 20 Ju 87 D aircraft; Commander: N.N.;

10(Pz)/SGr. 9 (10th Anti-Tank Squadron of the 9th Assault Aviation Regiment) – stationed from July 13 to July 21, 1944 (from July 22 in Mokre); Commander: Oberleutnant Rudolf Ruffer;

7(H)/AGr. 32 (7th Squadron of the 32nd Reconnaissance Aviation Group) – stationed from May 19 to July 4, 1944 (from July 8 in Lwów); deployed as a replacement unit; equipped with 10 Fw 189 A aircraft; Commander: Oberleutnant Robert Kneifel; from July 1944, subordinated to the 2nd Observation Aviation Group (NAGr. 2).

Hungarian 102nd Air Brigade

Fliegerführer 102 (Ungarn) (Headquarters of the Hungarian 102nd Air Brigade) — Commander: Major General Aldar Szirmay; Brigade Chief of Staff: Major Miklos Balassy. Stationed from June 14 to July 6, 1944 (on July 6, [located] in Klemensów); operationally subordinated to the VIII Air Corps since May 1944. Initial composition of the brigade:

(Ung.) JSt. 102 (Independent Fighter Squadron of the 102nd Brigade),
(Ung.) KSt. 102/2 (2nd Bomber Squadron of the 102nd Brigade),
(Ung.) SKSt. 102/3 (3rd Fast Bomber Squadron of the 102nd Brigade),
(Ung.) SSt. 102/1 (1st Dive-Bomber Squadron of the 102nd Brigade),
(Ung.) ASt. 3/1 (3rd Squadron of the 1st Reconnaissance Aviation Group).

The 102nd Brigade was expanded at the airfields in the Zamość region. In June 1944, the 102nd Brigade's Fighter Aviation Group was formed at the airfield in Łabunie, comprising two squadrons and a ground support squadron. The Independent Fighter Squadron was redesignated as (Ung.) JSt. 102/1 (the 1st Squadron of the Fighter Aviation Group of the 102nd Brigade); commanded by Major Josef Kovacs (who simultaneously served as the Group Commander), it was stationed there from June 20 to July 8, 1944 (relocating to Mokre on July 10).

The deployed Hungarian 3rd Squadron of the 2nd Fighter Aviation Group—(Ung.) JSt. 3/2—was redesignated as JSt. 102/2 (the 2nd Hungarian Squadron of the Fighter Aviation Group of the 102nd Brigade); commanded by Lieutenant Miklos Scholtz, it was stationed there during the period of March 29 to June 20, 1944, and again from late June until July 22, 1944. In June 1944, the Dive-Bomber Group of the 102nd Brigade was organized, comprising two flight squadrons and a ground support squadron.

(Ung.) SSt. 102/2 (the 2nd Hungarian Squadron of the Dive-Bomber Group of the 102nd Brigade) was formed in Cuniów in June 1941.
(Ung.) SSt. 102/1 (the 1st Hungarian Dive-Bomber Squadron of the 102nd Brigade) was stationed there from May 19, 1944; equipped with 12 Ju 87 Stuka dive-bombers, it was commanded by Captain... Gyozo Lenanung—transferred to Cuniów in late May 1944, and there, in June, reorganized into the 1st Squadron of the Dive-Bomber Group of the 102nd Brigade. The newly organized bomber group of the 102nd Brigade was subordinated to the command of the 3rd Group of the 2nd Assault Aviation Regiment
(Stab. III/SGr. 2)—commanded by Major Hans Rudel—serving as the 1st and 2nd Dive-Bomber Squadrons (*Stuka-Staffel*).
(Ung.) Ast. 3/1—transferred for the purpose of reorganization and re-equipment, and transformed into (Ung.) NASt. 102 (the Hungarian Independent Close-Reconnaissance Squadron of the 102nd Brigade); stationed there from May 19 to July 6, 1944, and equipped with nine Fw 189A aircraft.
(Ung.) 2 Transportstaffel (2nd Hungarian Transport Aviation Squadron)—incorporated into the 102nd Brigade in June 1944 as TSt. 102/2 (the Independent 2nd Transport Squadron of the 102nd Brigade); equipped with 12 Ju 52 transport aircraft, it was dispatched to Łabuń in early July 1944 to evacuate the brigade headquarters.

Forced labor camp for Jews in General Government — No. 2772 Łabuna — There is no detailed information about it. Created on July 15, 1942, intended fo intended for women. It was located on the road to Ruszów, opposite men's camp (currently Lipska Street), there were four surrounded barracks there barbed wire fence. It had a sub-camp in Żdanów. Last message it dates back to November 1942. Liquidated as part of the "Reinhardt.” The women were deported to the camp in Bełżec or Majdanek. The officers were guards from the SS-Ukrainische Wachmannschaften.

Forced labor camp for Jews in General Government — No. 2773 Łabuna — Precise information regarding this camp is lacking. Established on July 15, 1942, it was intended exclusively for men working on the construction of an airfield. It was situated at the intersection of the Ruszów and Majdan Ruszowski roads. The camp grounds contained 13 barracks, enclosed by a barbed-wire fence. In January 1943, an additional group of Czech Jews was transferred there from the camp in Zamość. It had a sub-camp located in Żdanów. The guards were Wachmänner belonging to the SS-ukrainische Wachmannschaften. The last known record dates from October 1943. The camp was liquidated on November 3–4, 1943, as part of Operation “Harvest Festival” (Aktion Erntefest); over 300 prisoners were executed on the spot.

Zamość Airport – Mokre — It was established using funds from the Air and Anti-Gas Defense League (LOPiP). From 1930 onwards, it operated as a civilian waypoint airfield on the Warsaw–Lwów route—named after Hetman Jan Zamoyski—and was utilized on an as-needed basis. In 1939, plans were underway to establish an LOPiP Pilot School in Zamość, with the Mokre farmstead—purchased from the Agricultural District Office (OZ)—intended to serve as its support base. In the event of war, the airfield was designated for use by military aviation. It lacked infrastructure, consisting merely of flat, smooth terrain with a grass surface, measuring 830 by 580 meters (36 hectares) and featuring no designated runway. In September 1939, acting on the orders of the Zamość District Governor, Marian Sochański (who also served as the president of the Zamość LOPiP district), a telephone connection to Zamość and electric lighting for the airfield were installed using local resources. After seizing control of the airfield in October 1939, the Germans utilized it as a landing ground; however, no aviation units were permanently stationed there until 1941.

On October 12, 1940, work began on the expansion of the airfield. A report dated April 12, 1941, states that the airfield located in Zamość was undergoing reinforcement. Another report, dated May 14, indicated that the facility housed three wooden hangars—each capable of accommodating 10 aircraft—and was currently being expanded. Approximately 60 auxiliary buildings were under construction, and six underground fuel tanks—each with a capacity of 100,000 liters—were being installed. In early 1941, two transformer stations were constructed at the airfield.

The airfield grounds were expanded to 1,000 by 580 meters, and a concrete runway with an asphalt surface—measuring 1,000 by 40 meters and oriented from northwest to southeast—was constructed (this runway was designated for fighter and ground-attack aircraft). The Zamość–Mokre road divided the airfield into two sections: a flight field containing the runway, and—to the north—an aircraft parking area. Located within the latter were individual aircraft hardstands connected by taxiways. The airfield saw limited use compared to the airfields in Klemensów and Łabunie. The Zamość garrison served as its logistical support base. During the 1941 invasion, it functioned as an operational airfield; subsequently, it served as a reserve airfield, utilized only sporadically.

In September 1943, modernization work began at the airfield, with laborers working around the clock. By July 1944, a new runway measuring 915 by 90 meters—running from northeast to southwest—was under construction. A standard runway for long-range aviation would typically measure 1,800 by 60 meters. This new runway was situated outside the boundaries of the existing airfield, on its southeastern side. It remained unfinished when the Luftwaffe abandoned the airfield. During June and July 1944, it served as the most active operational airfield within the Zamość complex. On July 21, 1944, the airfield was bombed by the Russians.

To this day, concrete foundations—remnants of a wooden platform for an anti-aircraft artillery gun emplacement—survive on the eastern side of the road leading to Mokre. The firing position was shielded by a square-shaped earthen embankment approximately 3 meters high. It could not be situated in a dug-out pit due to the marshy nature of the terrain. A passageway was cut into the western side of the embankment; the inner slopes were reinforced with wooden planks, and a small, on-site ammunition store was located within the emplacement.

German Aerial Photos

Based on German aerial photos from August 26 and October 8 1944 [fig. 2] it can be stated how the Zamość – Mokre airport looks gave in the last period of use by the Germans. Road Płoskie – Mokre divided the airport area into the take-off area (from the south) and the parking lot planes (from the north). There is a concrete one destroyed by the Germans in the field runway, craters left by shot explosives, prevented limited its use. It ran the entire length of the airport, it had connection from the east with a concrete connector to the access road west. West of Mokre, along the buildings, unfinished a new runway with a surface reinforced with steel mesh.

The parking area featured 17 dispersed, individual aircraft stands, each shielded by a circular earthen berm containing an access lane for positioning the aircraft. This arrangement enabled aircraft servicing to be carried out under cover. The stands were connected by dirt taxiways to the Płoskie–Mokre road—which served as the main taxiway—and linked to the runway by two concrete connectors. Another five stands were situated between the runways, while nine were located between the new runway and the village buildings.

In the north-west corner of the take-off field there is a refueling point (destroyed), logistic part between the access road to the village and the eastern border of the ascent field, visible deliberate destruction. On the other side of the road, east of the airport, three destroyed combined anti-aircraft gun positions, four gun positions connected by anti-aircraft gaps were located in between the Zamość road and the tracks, there were two single plot positions from the north side of the parking lot.

Airbase Command

Fl.H.Kdtr. E 10/VII (command of Air Base District VII) – transport carried from France, stationed from April to July 15, 1941, base commandant, Major Walter Ritter von Lichtenberger, from July 15, 1941 transferred to Lublin – Świdnik

Fl.PlaRKdo. Zamosc mit Fl. H. Kdtr. E 10/VII Lublin (meldunk airfields from the 10th Air Base Command of the 7th district) – shared on July 15, 1941 from the command of the Lublin Air Base, stationed until the end of August 1941. From September 1941 to the summer of 1943, an alternate airport in use occasionally.

Fl.PlaRKdo. C 8/VIII (8th airport command of the VIII district) – created on site in May 1943 from the air headquarters, commander from November 1943 was Major Walter Ritter von Lichtenberger ("C" means that it was a training airfield), used for aviation training bombing force by combating guerrillas and terrorist bombings bard villages.

Fl.PlaRKdo. 8/VIII (8th airport command of the 8th district) – from April 1, 1944, its status was changed to an operational airport and its name was changed to command, commander Major Walter Ritter von Lichtenberger.

Ground units of the air units based at the airfield in 1941

In order to secure the operation of the airport with the Zamość garrison-service units were sent to it.

Lviv Bau. Btl. 17/XI (17th construction battalion of the air forces of the 11th district) here) - transferred from Klemensów after the completion of the work, stationed from the 15th July 1941, liquidated on site at the end of 1941.

Ldssch.Zug d.Lw. 107/XVIII (platoon of the 107th Home Rifle Company air forces of the 18th district) - stationed from September 1940 to June 1941, he was responsible for security of the airport in Mokre, a full-time employee 46 men (one officer), one light machine gun.

Ldssch.Zug d.Lw. 14/VIII (platoon from the 14th Home Rifle Company air forces of the 8th district) - stationed from June 1941, assigned to airport security, full-time status as above. From 1942, the airport was protected by a guard unit from the local Volksdeutsche.

They formed an integral part of the aviation units and relocated with them to subsequent airfields. In June 1941, the ground units of the aerial reconnaissance branch—specifically the 5th Squadron of the 11th Reconnaissance Aviation Division, the 3rd Squadron of the 21st Reconnaissance Division, and the 4th Squadron of the 41st Reconnaissance Division—were stationed there. All three possessed an identical organizational structure. They were responsible for the maintenance of their aircraft.

Its composition included: a technical group—a technical officer with support personnel (48 mechanics of various specialties); a photographic group—a commander and 21 specialists in photography and aviation equipment; a motorized communications platoon—41 men; an squadron supply group—31 men; a motor transport section—a commander and 32 drivers (a vehicle carrying photographic equipment, an ambulance, two aviation fuel tankers, a group of wheeled tractors with trailers, a group of trucks, passenger cars, and motorcycles, a trailer-mounted radio station, and two towed field kitchens); and an anti-aircraft defense group—two 2 cm Flak 30 cannons, manned by 10 men from the squadron supply group, serving to defend the airfields.

The service company of the 2nd Instruction Regiment was stationed at the airport.

Wego (LG 2/FBK), composed of four platoons. Three platoons operated, one per squadron, and a workshop platoon (from the company squadron headquarters).

Aviation Units Stationed in 1941

5(H)/AGr. 11 (5th squadron of the 11th Reconnaissance Aviation Squadron) – was stationed in June-July 1941, assigned to the 11th Panzer Division cerna (subordinated to the air commander of the 6th Army), equipped with nine Henschel Hs 126 B aircraft, one transport aircraft Ju 52, commanded by Oberlejtnant Alfons Goerke, from August 1941 in Biała Orthodox church.

3(H)/ AGr. 21 (3rd squadron, 21st Reconnaissance Aviation Squadron) – was stationed in June 1941 (from the end of June in Łuck), assigned to the 13th Armored Division (subordinated to the air commander of the 6th Army), nine Henschel Hs 126 B aircraft and one transport Ju 52, commanded by Oberlieutenant Heinz Gunther.

4(H)/ AGr. 41 (4th squadron of the 41st Reconnaissance Aviation Squadron) – was stationed in June 1941 (from July in Przemyśl), assigned to XXXXIV Army Corps (subordinated to the air commander 6th Army), equipped with nine Hs 126 B aircraft and one transport Ju 52, commander Capt. Wilhelm Haberland, I (Jagd.)/LGr. 2 (Lehrgeschwader 2) (Headquarters of the 1st Fighter Squadron, 2nd Instruction Regiment) - commander, Capt. Herbert Ihlefeld, trainee. Operated from June 25 to 29, 1941.

Bf 109E, 1/I LGr. 2 (1st Squadron, 1st Fighter Squadron, 2nd Instruction Regiment) Wego) - stationed from June 25 to 29, 1941, commander Werner Dornbrack.

2/I LGr. 2 (2nd Squadron, 1st Fighter Squadron, 2nd Instruction Regiment)Wego) - stationed from June 25 to 29, 1941, commander Alfred Druschel.

3/I LGr. 2 (3rd squadron of the 1st Fighter Squadron, 2nd Instruction Regiment) Wego) - stationed from June 25 to 29, 1941, commander Erwin Straznicky. A squadron of the instructional regiment, designated for retraining pilots on a specific aircraft type, was transformed into a combat unit.

Transportstaffel /V Fliegerkorps (transport squadron of the 5th Aviation Corps) – an independent unit, stationed in the period June–November furnace 1941, moved to Dubno in July, equipped with nine Ju 52 transport aircraft, commander: Capt. Anton Stadler

4(F)/AGr. 121 (4th squadron of the 121st Long Reconnaissance Squadron) – nine Ju 88 A bombers in service, commander Capt. Kerber, was stationed in May-June 1941, in June transferred to Łańcut boom; from May it carried out reconnaissance flights over the territory of the USSR.

Aviation Units Operating from the Airfield in 1943

Until the beginning of June 1943, the airport was not used and had no defense anti-aircraft, there was only guard service (guard unit formed from Volksdeutsche) and a few security units. The officers were transferred to the airport in Łabunie. From the end of May 1943, based planes were used to fight guerrillas in [za]. Order of the military command of the Lublin district, The General Government of January 24, 1943 ordered: anti-partisan operations effective, are to be supported by aviation: bomber and reconnaissance planes Jun. Then, from June 27 to August 16, 1943, the group was based issued by the command of the VIII Air Corps to secure baking of the "Wehrwolf" campaign.

Schwarm I/SGr. 77 (unit of the 1st squadron of the 77th Air Assault Regiment) wego) – five Ju 87 D dive bombers, the regiment was stationed in close to Lviv, the planes of this unit bombed Sochy on June 1 around 1943.

Schwarm L/ZGr. 1 (a unit from the 1st Destructive Aviation Squadron) – three twin-engine Messerschmitt Me Bf110 fighters, Rotte (pair from unidentified squadron) – two Me Bf 109 fighters to reconnaissance of partisan forces and combating them with on-board weapons fire, Sanitatsflubereitschaften (air ambulance) – brought planes of the wounded from the front to the hospital in Zamość, two planes transport Ju52.

Stb.SGr. I/77 (command of the 1st squadron of the 77th Air Assault Regiment) wego) - was the command of a group separated from the VIII Corps Aviation, commander Maj. Werner Roell, equipped with three planes Fieseler Fi 156 Storch observation aircraft and three Ju87 dive bombers.

Air Units Using the Airport in 1944

Due to large losses, a special long-distance airline was established ne emergency medical service Grossraum Sanitatsflugbereitschaften, equipped with the largest Me 323 Gigant transport planes. They were assigned from the 5th Transport Aviation Regiment [TGr. 5 (Transportgruppe)], dealt with the evacuation of the wounded from the front to hospitals in the rear czu, among others to Zamość, the planes were not stationed permanently.

Units of the VIII Air Corps Stationed in Early 1944

Separate units of the VIII Air Corps to combat partisans, stationed at the Mokre airport:

Stb./NSGr. 4 (command of the 4th Night Bomber Squadron) – commander Major Hans Moritz von Frakenberg and Proschlitz, March - April 25, 1944 (then in Płonne), equipped with three Fi 156 Storch observation planes, one transport Ju 52, was the command of a separate group.

2 (F)/AGr. 100 (2nd squadron of the 100th Long-distance Aviation Squadron) known) - stationed in March - April 1944, equipped with six Ju 188 F bombers, commander Capt. Wilhelm Schmidt.

(Ung.) JSt. 102 (independent fighter aviation squadron of the 102nd Brigade) Hungarian Dynasty) – commander Major Josef Kovacs, stationed during June 20, 1944 (from June 20 in Łabunie), equipped with eight Bf 109G fighter aircrafts.

7(H)/AGr. 32 (7th squadron of the 32nd Reconnaissance Aviation Squadron) – subordinated to the 6th Air Observation Squadron (Nahaufklarugsgruppe 6), consisting of 10 Focke Wulf Fw bomber aircraft 189 A (twin-hull), commanded by Oberlejtnant Robert Kneifel, stationed embankment in March - May 1944 (from May 19 in Łabunie).

(Ung.) SSt. 102/1 (1st dive bomber squadron, 102nd Brigade) Gryska) - stationed in March - May 1944 (from May 19 in Łabunie), commander capt. Gyozo Lenaung, equipped with 12 dive bombers flying Ju 87 Stuka. On March 6, 1944, three Fi 156 Storch observation planes were stationed at the airport, were used to recognize the 1st UDP group. Self-flights bombed and shelled Zarzecze, Wieprzec, Wólka Wieprzecką and Kosobuda. The partisans damaged one plane, but the villages stood still on fire. After bombing each village, they were scattered from planes. These warning leaflets read:

Attention! Your village has been bombed and razed to the ground, and you are responsible for it. The inhabitants of your village have completely joined the action of the gangs Bolsheviks, gave them active support and thus stood without any doubts on the part of the main enemy of Germany, civilized Europe and your him of his own nation. You acted not only to the detriment of Germany, which is strong and they will find it easy to deal with you, but rather to the detriment of their own nation, which The greatest danger comes from Soviet Russia. You betrayed everyone and everything: Europe, your own Nation, the religion of your Fathers, whose Bolshevism brings destruction, and the future of your own children who tried to put the leaves under the Bolshevik yoke. You no longer deserve any consideration and that is why you now felt and received the full power of the German weapon thus learning that whoever is associated with Bolshevism will be destroyed and exterminated. Let the destruction of your village be an example for the surrounding villages, what fate awaits them if they dare to follow in your footsteps. Whoever dares join the Bolshevik gangs, as you did - it will be destroyed, just as you were destroyed today. Remember this and say it others. The time for indulgence is over!

Ground Units Stationed in 1944

▪ guard unit, equipped with one machine gun, which was located at the post next to the barracks on the farm,

▪ light anti-aircraft artillery battery (number Flak Abteilung 96), seven 2 cm Flak 30 cannons and nine anti-aircraft guns machinery

▪ radio section from the 5th company of the 3rd battalion of the 38th Air Liaison Regiment

▪ two platoons from 6/401. branch of the construction service from the Lublin county, the youths were used for auxiliary work at the airport (120 youth)

▪ aviation maintenance company, from 1943 there were no aviation units of its service companies, stationed at the airport since 1943 permanently divided by the 8th Aviation Group (quartermaster's office VIII Aviation District), was subordinated to the airport commander, in the event of it would be necessary to secure the neighboring airports in Żdanów and Sitaniec, composed of: four platoons - three service and workshop, 150 in total mechanics of various aviation specialties.

Aviation Units Stationed in 1944

(Ung.) JSt 102/1 (Hungarian 1st Squadron of the Fighter Aviation Squadron-102nd brigade) - equipped with eight Me fighter planes

Bf 109 G, commander Maj. Josef Kovacs, stationed from July 10 to 22, 1944.

Stb. /SG 10 (Schlachtgeschwader) (command of the 10th Aviation Regiment Assault Command) – commander, Lt. Col. Helmut Viedebantt, from July 20, 1944. Lt. Col. Ewald Janssen, stationed from July 16, 1944 (from July 21 in Łysie), one Focke Wulf Fw 190F aircraft in service

Stb. /II SGr. 10 (command of the 2nd squadron of the 10th Air Assault Regiment) Wego) – stationed from July 11, 1944 (from July 23 in Radlówka), additionally commander Major Gotz Baumann

3/II SGr. 10 (3rd squadron of the 2nd division of the 10th Assault Aviation Regiment) - stationed from July 11, 1944 (from July 23 in Radlówka), commander Oberlieutenant Herbert Piske

4/II SGr. 10 (4th squadron of the 2nd division of the 10th Assault Aviation Regiment) - stationed from July 11, 1944 (from July 23 in Radlówka), commander N.N.

5/II SGr. 10 (5th squadron of the 2nd division of the 10th Assault Aviation Regiment) - stationed from July 11, 1944 (from July 23 in Radlówka), commander N.N. The 2nd Squadron had 26 Fw 190F aircraft in service.

Stb./III SGr. 10 (command of the 3rd Division of the 10th Air Attack Regiment) Wego) – stationed from July 16, 1944 (from July 28 in Leżany), commander Major Horst Steinhordt

6/III SGr. 10 (6th squadron of the 3rd division of the 10th Assault Aviation Regiment) - stationed from July 16, 1944 (from July 28 in Leżany), commander: Lt. Josef Rutz

7/III SGr. 10 (7th squadron, 3rd squadron, 10th Air Attack Regiment-him) – stationed from July 16, 1944 (from July 28 in Leżany), commander Oberlejtnant Gunther Honnefeller

8/III SGr. 10 (8th squadron, 3rd squadron, 10th Air Attack Regiment) – stationed from July 16, 1944 (from July 28 in Leżany), commander Oberlieutenant Maufred Goetze. The 3rd Squadron had 37 Fw 190F aircraft in service.

Stb./II JGr. 52 (command of the 2nd squadron of the 52nd Fighter Aviation Regiment) – commander, Capt. Gerhard Barkhom, stationed from July 10, 1944 (from July 21 in Jasionka)

4/II JGr. 52 (4th squadron of the 2nd division of the 52nd Fighter Aviation Regiment) - stationed from July 10, 1944 (from July 21 in Jasionka), commander N.N.

5/II JGr. 52 (5th squadron of the 2nd division of the 52nd Fighter Aviation Regiment) - stationed from July 10, 1944 (from July 21 in Jasionka), commander of the Lieutenant Gustaw Denk

6/II JGr. 52 (6th squadron of the 2nd division of the 52nd Fighter Aviation Regiment) - stationed from July 10, 1944 (from July 21 in Jasionka), commander: Capt. Erich Hartmann. The 2nd Squadron was equipped with 37 Me Bf 109G aircraft.

10 (Pz)/ SGr. 9 (10th squadron of the 9th Assault Aviation Regiment) – commander Oberlejtnant Rudolf Ruffer, stationed between July 22–23, 1944 (from July 24 in Podlodówka).

Forced labor camp for Jews in the General Government — No. 2846 Mokre — Precise information regarding this camp is lacking. The first mention of it dates back to October 1943; it was intended for men working on the construction of an airfield. These individuals were Jews who had been transported from a Luftwaffe camp in Zamość. The camp was situated within the airfield grounds, adjacent to the village buildings, where barracks enclosed by a barbed-wire fence were erected. It had a sub-camp located in Żdanów. The date of its liquidation remains unknown, though it is presumed to have taken place on November 4–5, 1943, as part of Operation "Harvest Festival" (Aktion Erntefest), during which 150 Jews were executed in batches at the Rotunda. The guards were Wachmänner belonging to the SS-Ukrainian Guard Units (*SS-ukrainische Wachmannschaften*).

Zamość – Sitaniec Airport — It occupied an area of 775 x 135 m, on planted fields cultivated. It was completed by 1944. Used as an air emergency bay and sanitary protection for the airport complex Zamość. Located near Sitaniec, between Sitaniec Kolonia and Łapiguz. It had no buildings or service units. In case needs served by the Zamość garrison and Łabunie airport. It was maintained as an alternate airfield until July 1944. It had lighting electric, a line was drawn from the overhead station in Sitaniec. The airport area was secured with barbed wire trestles, protecting supervised by a small guard unit made up of Volksdeutsche. The airport was under the command of the air garrison in Zamość.

German Aerial Photo

Based on the aerial photo from August 26, 1944, it can be concluded that what it looked like in the last period of its use by the Germans. Occupied-were flat fields east of Kolonia Sitaniec, on the road to Łapiguz (from the north side). It consisted of three parts: centrally located take-off fields and parking lots for aircraft on both sides. Field of highs 900 x 135 m in size, with a paved runway along its entire length dirt 900 x 64 m, southern part with a hardened mesh surface steel beam with dimensions of 775 x 32 m. The belt runs from the southwest-northeast. Connected to both parking lots from the west taxiway with hardened steel mesh, dimensions: 135 x 32 m.

In each parking lot, there are scattered single stands secured with a circular earthwork, in the embankment there is a path to enter the plane. There are 14 stands on the northern side, 15 on the southern side. There are none on any of them infrastructure, the buildings of two farms could be used donations located at the northern border of the airport.

Hostynne Airport

There is no information about him in intelligence reports because the Germans didn't build anything on it. They contented themselves with marking its boundaries and flattening the surface. The airport was located in Hostynne Kolonia, on the northern side of the Zamość - Hrubieszów road (behind the building primary school). It occupied a level area with a grassy surface 800 x 400 m, intended only for fighters. It had no secretion no parking space, no take-off area, no paved runway starting. It was a field airport [FeldflugplaR] used for air support security, without any infrastructure and permanent units service nodes. Command was stationed in the occupied primary school airports and hospital. Used only in June and early July 1941. To quickly send the unit into the air, on June 22, planes took off they came from one end of the airport across the entire width side by side, they flew in the cover of bombers from Klemensów. Not used since July 1941 by aviation.

Airport Command

It was not considered a permanent airport, only a temporary airport needed to provide air support. flight command the commands of the based fighter aviation regiments were low, 18–June 30, 1941 JG 3 Lt. Col. Gunter Lutzow, June 30 - July 5, 1941 JG 53 Lt. Col. Gunter von Maltzahn (both commands with identical positions), composed of: regiment commander, adjutant, technical officer, three writers rzy and cartoonist; commander's air group with flying staff and group aircraft mechanics – 12 people; group of passenger cars (three art).

Ground Units Serving the Airport in 1941

The service and security units sent from the garrison are unknown. Zamość zone and Łabunie airport for the duration of activity in June - Jul cu 1941. Service units were quartered at the airport in tents, including pilots in the village of Hostynne Kolonia, command and hospital at the school. klaine Fl.Bet.St.Kol. 4/IV (small aviation fuel column IV district here) – sent from Zamość, because there were no permanent collections at the airport fuel tankers, sent back in July 1941, Radio section from the 3rd company of the 35th Air Signal Regiment.

Ground Projections of Aircraft Units Based at the Airport in 1941

They were part of air units and moved with them to other airports. Two staff companies from the 2nd and 3rd Army stationed in June 1941. squadron of the 3rd Fighter Regiment, then in June - July 1941 - 1st squadron of the 53rd Fighter Regiment, both Stabs companies, composed of: company commander; headquarters group and security logistics – 41 people; control group – aircraft equipment controller here, engine controller, airframe controller; technical service group – 40 mechanics of various specialties with a parts warehouse (six people); aircraft refueling group – seven people; air traffic control group – seven people; medical group – 11 people; rescue group – seven people; rolling stock – commander and 24 drivers, three tank cars, walk field kitchen, group of wheeled tractors with trailers, sanitary washboard, truck group, motorcycle and car group personal data; anti-aircraft defense group – four 2 cm Flak 30 guns, six MG 15 anti-aircraft machine guns, 120 crew people, used to defend the airport.

Each division had its own service company, four platoons, including three service personnel - each squadron had its own service platoon numbering 71 mechanics of various specialties, as well as a spare parts warehouse and a workshop platoon (service group from the headquarters company). For the flight-At different times, two service companies from the 2nd Division were full 3rd Fighter Regiment (JG 3/FBK) and 1st Division of the 53rd Fighter Regiment him (JG 53/FBK). Moreover, an incomplete service company of the 3rd Division of the 3rd Regiment towards Myśliwskiego (service platoon and workshop platoon) and two groups mechanics (each 12 people with a technical officer) from the commanders of the 3rd and 53rd Fighter Regiments.

Aviation Units Stationed in 1941

Stb. /JG 3 "Udet" (command of the 3rd Fighter Aviation Regiment) – commander, Lt. Col. Gunter Lutzow, stationed from June 18, 1941 (from June 30 June in Lutsk), equipped with four Me Bf 109 F fighters and ambulance, light transport and liaison aircraft.

Stb./ III JGr. 3 "Udet" (command of the 3rd squadron of the 3rd Aviation Regiment Mysliwski) – commander, Capt. Walter Oesau, stationed from June 2, 1941 (from June 26 in Lutsk).

9/III JGr. 3 "Udet" (9th squadron of the 3rd division of the 3rd Fighter Aviation Regiment) – stationed from July 2, 1941 (from July 6 in Połonna), commander Oberlejtnant Wiktor Bauer. The 3rd Squadron was equipped with 35 Me Bf 109F fighters.

Stb./II JGr. 3 "Udet" (command of the 2nd division of the 3rd Aviation Regiment MyŚliwski) – commander, Capt. Lothar Keller, from June 27, 1941, captain. Gordon Gollob, stationed from June 18, 1941 (from June 26 in Italy) Dzimierz Wołyński)

4/II JGr. 3 "Udet" (4th squadron of the 2nd squadron of the 3rd Fighter Aviation Regimentski) – stationed from June 18, 1941 (from June 26 in Włodzimierz) Volhynian lake), commander Lt. Wolf Udo Ettel

5/II JGr. 3 "Udet" (5th squadron of the 2nd squadron of the 3rd Fighter Aviation Regimentski) – stationed from June 18, 1941 (from June 26 in Włodzimierz) Volhynian lake), commander Oberleutenant Kurt Brandle

6/II JGr. 3 "Udet" (6th squadron of the 2nd squadron of the 3rd Fighter Aviation Regimentski) – stationed from June 18, 1941 (from June 26 in Włodzimierz) Mier Wołyński), commander Lt. Wilhelm Lemke. The 2nd Squadron was equipped with 35 Me Bf 109F fighters.

Stb./JG 53 "Pik As" (command of the 53rd Fighter Aviation Regiment) – commander Lt. Col. Gunther von Maltzahn, stationed from June 30, 1941 (from July 5 in Dubno), equipped with four Me fighter planes Bf 109 F and medical, light transport and liaison aircraft,

Stb./I JGr. 53 "Pik As" (command of the 1st squadron of the 53rd Aviation Regiment Myśliwskiego) - commander, Capt. Franz Xaver von Werra, stationed from June 30, 1941 (from July 5 in Dubno)

1/I JGr. 53 "Pik As" (1st squadron of the 1st division of the 53rd Aviation Regiment MyŚliwski) – commander, Capt. Hans Karl Mayer, stationed from June 30 ca 1941 (from July 5 in Dubno).

2/I JGr. 53 "Pik As" (2nd squadron of the 1st squadron of the 53rd Aviation Regiment Mysliwski) - commander of N.N., stationed from June 30, 1941 (from 5 July in Dubno).

3/I JGr. 53 "Pik As" (3rd squadron of the 1st squadron of the 53rd Aviation Regiment MyŚliwski) - commander, Oberlieutenant Helmut Belser, stationed from the 30th June 1941 (from July 5 in Dubno). The 1st Squadron was equipped with 35 Me Bf fighter aircraft 109F.

Unnamed airport in Zamość

Information given in the report of April 12, 1941 about a 2nd class airport (no name), located 2 km from Zamość (Old Town), with a hangar house and two brick buildings, which is being expanded and widened, with a concrete runway (under construction); unrealized.

Maintained as an airstrip (LandeplaR) used by drug-medical and transport planes. Initially, it had permanent service assigned from the Zamość garrison. There were barracks with facilities located in the wooden building of Primary School No. 3 in Zamość (un-existing). Not used after 1941, their role as security medical baking was taken over by the airport in Mokre.

German Aerial Photo from 1944

Based on a German aerial photograph dated August 26, 1944, this airfield can be located adjacent to Karolówka—a western district of Zamość. The airfield, shaped like an irregular quadrilateral, was situated on leveled, flat meadows between the Karolówka railway settlement and the Świnki farmstead. To the north, it abutted the present-day Śląska Street; along its southern boundary, aligned with the airfield's central axis, stood a hangar from which taxiways radiated outwards. Two masonry buildings, running parallel to each other, were situated along the eastern boundary of the farmstead, adjacent to the airfield [Fig. 3]. There was no designated runway or takeoff area.

Stationed Air Units

Sanitatsflubereitschaften der Luftwaffe (mot.) 7/IV (7. motorized medical emergency of the air forces of the 4th district) – an independent unit air unit subordinated to the V Air Corps, commandant she was a sanitary officer, stationed in June-July 1941, in July moved to the east, composed of: command - commander, four paramedics, two drivers, equipped with five cars (including two ambulances); aviation group, including aircraft crews - five pilots, three on-board mechanics, three on-board radio operators; Decground crew – nine aircraft mechanics and two navigators gators; equipped – three Ju 52 planes adapted to tak 8-10 wounded lying on stretchers and two Fi liaison planes 156 Storch.

Zamość Airstrip

It is not known whether it was created and maintained by the Luftwaffe. Created probably by the Russians in early August 1944 as a makeshift landing site. They can be seen in a German hang-glider photograph more [fig. 4]. It was located on a level meadow near the non-existent then Wigdor Kornblit's water mill, south of the riverbed Łabuńki and east of Rotunda (the current base of the Sewage Treatment Plant) nia of the City), in the areas of today's employee gardens on both sides sides of the street Gazebo. It had no designated boundaries or runway. It was a makeshift landing field without infrastructure, intended for light aviation.

Kadłubiska Airstrip

Used by the Luftwaffe in June–July 1941 as temporary landing field (LandeplaR), intended for light aviation, then not maintained by the Luftwaffe.

Ground Units

The ground crew of the 5th liaison squadron was stationed at the landing field, composed of: squadron commander; command and security group – six people; technical service group – 36 mechanics of various specialties. In addition, unidentified units to secure and operate the landska.

Stationed Air Units

Kurierstaffel 5 (5th liaison squadron) – stationed in June 1941, in July 1941 in Adampol, was subordinated to the air commander 6th Army, equipped with nine liaison and training aircraft Ardo Ar 66 and Fieseler Fi 156 Storch.

Komarów-Osada Airstrip

The only information about him comes from May 14, 1941 (report) - on the There is an airstrip (LandeplaR) near Komarov. Presumably on a planted meadow on the road to Zamość, used as a temporary landing field until the construction of a nearby airport is completed Dubie. The landing strips were intended for stationing light aviation it: sanitary, liaison and transport.

Krasnystaw Airstrip

The airstrip (LandeplaR) is located 6 km from the city, towards the south-east. No information about use by individuals The Luftwaffe had no infrastructure or service. Maintained in the event of an emergency landing and the need to center aircraft in the event of destruction of nearby airports.

Tarnawatka Airstrip

Report No. 379 of April 12, 1941 informed that in the near future August, it is planned to build an airport in Tomaszów; maybe it was about Tarnawatka. Unrealized, the idea was to create an airstrip (LandeplaR). Located southwest of the village. No message information about use by Luftwaffe units, did not have any infrastructure structure and service. Held in case of emergency landing and the need to center planes in the event of destruction of close airports.

Aviation Department of the Lublin District of the Home Army

In the planned general uprising, it was necessary to control not German airports. They were to be occupied by parachute landings supported by local partisan units. They were called transferred to bring in Polish aviation units from the west, with the task of ensuring air support to insurgent units. At the same time, they had land transport transport aircraft with the necessary equipment and supplies to start the reconstruction of Polish regular military units upbringing First of all, it was planned to take over the airport in the Lublin region near Lublin, then airports in Mokre, Klemensów and Łabunie, which is why there were permanent intelligence officers at each of these airports.

Intelligence Plan of the Mokre Airport from 1943

According to the prepared plan and legend [fig. 5]. flight command was stationed in a former agricultural school, barracks with a hospital for crews located in the buildings of the Mokre farm. Road to Mokre-divided the airport into an aircraft parking lot (from the north) and a take-off area with a wide, paved runway running from the east-west to south-east. At the intersection of the lines railway and the road to Mokre, a tanker for aviation fuel. There is a railway siding with buildings on the western border of the airport. The entire area is surrounded by a barbed wire fence, anti-aircraft defense, consisted of six anti-aircraft guns from the west and six anti-aircraft guns from the east, one anti-aircraft machine gun, presumably each station, fireplace with reflector (four in total). At the station borders there were single planes: three twin-engine planes, two fighters, two transport, three divers and "Storks", five divers.

Intelligence Plan of Mokre Airport from Spring 1944

The description was prepared according to the plan and its legend [fig. 6]. Area 6,000 m² airport, with a long asphalt runway 500 m and 20–30 m wide, in the north-west corner of the airport (next to tracks) fuel tanks. Maintenance barracks with airport command and the hospital were located in the buildings of the Mokre farm. Between buildings, nine air raid shelters (each approx. 30 soldiers), these were earthen, covered anti-aircraft slots, wood-covered. There was an air defense observer tower there, and an earth shelter for the radio operator. In airport staff and crews 200 Germans and 50 Hungarians planes. Hungarian station command were working on the farm, and the rest were in barracks in the south-east corner of the airport, at the entrance road to Mokre. For auxiliary work, 30 civilian employees and 120 servants were used for construction, they were stationed on the farm from the beginning of 1944. On a hang gliders was based: eight fighters (Messerschmitt), 12 Stuka bombers, six Junkers bombers, 10 double-hull bombers, three reconnaissance, one transport. Anti-aircraft defense: nine guns ŁK and 10 pieces of anti-aircraft machine guns.

Intelligence Plan of the Airport in Klemensów from the Spring of 1944

The description was prepared according to the plan and its legend [fig. 7]. The airport is located it was located on the north-western side of the Szczebrzeszyn - Zamość road (currently DK74). There was a concrete runway on the take-off field, ran from the north-east to the south-west, partly west the rampart (currently ul. Startowa). It was connected by a link with the road to the palace in Klemensów (currently ul. Osiedlowa). From the north, in par there was a taxiway parallel to the parking lot connecting the staircases (currently ul. Zwiedźkowa), connected to the lane with a connector (currently ul. Prosta). The staff were quartered in barracks (separately German and Hungarian) on the Zamość road, near the factory border nego estate. The Hungarian airport command occupied a separate cancer, next to it in the tower there is an anti-aircraft defense observer's position. On the other side of the road, there used to be a camp of construction service youths a Jewish camp there. There were German workshops in the brickyard corrective. Fuel tanks with a refueling station were located at the intersection of the railway track with the Zamość road. At the base airport there were 23 planes scattered in six parking spaces. Defense anti-aircraft: six cannons and six anti-aircraft guns rails and three spotlights. On the eastern side, at three stands round towers are marked on artillery bays.

Intelligence Plan of the Łabunie Airport from 1943

The description was prepared according to a plan from that period [fig. 8], without legend. A paved road running from the farm divided the airport into a field take-offs (permanent airport on the plan) with an area of 80 ha. and a wide, paved runway running from east to west. By the road, in the south-eastern corner of the airport, three collections fuel tanks. To the south of the road there is an area for parking aircraft (a makeshift airport on the plan) with an area of 60 ha, including there was a manor park with a palace. There were warehouse facilities at the airport farm buildings, barracks with workshops next to them, in the north-west corner, the air defense observer tower what? All parts surrounded by a barbed wire fence. Defense of the anti-aircraft division consisted of 10 guns. There are no planes based on it.

Partisan Actions at the Mokre Airport

Description based on the published memoir of a participant in the operation, Ksawery Lupa, codename "Bohun." In the spring of 1944, a guard from the Mokre airfield—named Bździuch—began frequenting the village of Hubale. Upon being notified, Lupa, the commander of a BCh (Peasant Battalions) unit, apprehended him in the village; in exchange for his life, Bździuch agreed to cooperate. One night in June 1944, he guided Bohun and two of his soldiers—who were disguised in German uniforms—up to the parked aircraft, simultaneously providing them with the current challenge and countersign. Thanks to this, they were able to approach their target: a Junkers aircraft. As they were unable to smash the cockpit canopy, they forced open the cabin door. Inside, they smashed the onboard instruments and removed a machine gun along with eight ammunition magazines. Undisturbed, they departed the airfield. A few days later, they made a second attempt; they managed to approach their chosen aircraft, but while attempting to gain entry, they triggered an alarm. They fled toward the outskirts of Zamość, and subsequently—by weaving through the surrounding meadows—they managed to evade their pursuers. In April 1944, Edward Dubel—code-named "Maciejówka" and a teacher by profession—conducted a reconnaissance mission at the German airfield in Zamość-Mokre. The intelligence he gathered was forwarded to the headquarters of the 1st Ukrainian Front, enabling a successful bombing raid on the airfield.

Ground Forces Units: Units of the 6th Army stationed in Zamość, 1941

In March-July 1941, the 6th Army warehouses were located in Zamość. As of June 22, 1941, eight infantry divisions and an armored division were stationed in the Szczebrzeszyn - Tomaszów - Sokal - Hrubieszów area this army, and several were in transports. Commander of the field marshal's army Colonel Gerd von Rundstedt, from June 23, 1941, was stationed in Sułów. On June 11, 1941, the Commander-in-Chief of the German Army came to Zamość. German Field Marshal Walter von Brauchitsch.

Armee Betriebstofflager (army fuel depot) – in June 1941 was in tanks at the railway station in Zamość and Zawada, next to it is Betriebsstaff Untersuchungsstelle 2 (2nd fuel testing office – allocated 6 A) and Verbleiungstrupp 614 (614th gas station), main refueling point 6A, Armee Pferde Lazarett 630 (630th Army Veterinary Hospital for Horses) – located in the artillery barracks in Planty, consisted of the command twa (commander, veterinary officer), the horse collecting unit in the depot four veterinarians, 12 trucks for transporting horses, two horse hospitals, each with two veterinarians and 80 nurses horses; food division with six transport trucks horse food, Pferdetransport Kolonne (mot.) 1/571 (1st section of the 571st motorized).

Horse Transport Convoy – assigned to serve the veterinary hospital, consisted of a command, a horse transport group and a group transportation of food for horses.

Army Signals Regiment 549 – commander Col. Eng. Feliks Meissner, consisted of the command, 1st battalion service center (1st radio company, 2nd telephone company), 2nd battalion construction (3rd service company, 4th, 5th, 6th construction company, security column), 3rd construction battalion (7th service company, 8th, 9th, 10th construction companies, security column).

Army Subsistence Office 540 (AVA) (540th Army Food) – created for 6 A, with the task of establishing and supervising a warehouse food from which army units could draw, in order to supplement the population was deprived of stockpiles.

Army Provisions Depot (AVL) (army food warehouse) – found located in the infantry barracks (ul. Piłsudskiego), composed of: a manager with a writer, three clerks, each with a writer staff, six warehousemen, eight distributors, three drivers (two trucks with trailers and a passenger car).

Kraftwagentransabteilung z.b.V. 988 (Motor Transport Detachment for Special Purposes 988) – created on March 27, 1941, was subject to the command of the 6th Army, consisted of six large, motorized columns transport vehicles capable of carrying a total of 1,500 tons of cargo (heavy trucks with trailers), plus a column of buses (five medium-sized buses) and a repair platoon.

NSKK Kraftwagen Transport Abteilungen 499 (Nationalsozialistische Kraftfahrkorps) (499th National Socialist Transport Battalion Motor Corps) - a civilian auxiliary unit of the Wehrmacht mobilized on February 28, 1941, assigned to the 6th Army in Zamość from June 1941 [fig. 9], the battalion consisted of 10 transport companies (2,500 tons of cargo at one time) and Werkstaff Zuge 499 (499th assembly), battalion disbanded on July 29, 1941 outside Zamość.

Flak Regiment 1/61 (mot.) (1st Motorized Squadron of the 61st Art Regiment-Anti-Aircraft Legion) — belonged to Flak Regiment 42 (42nd Art. Regiment Anti-Aircraft Legion), regiment commander, Lt. Col. Adolf Gerlach, equipped with 8.8 cm anti-aircraft guns, stationed from June 1941 in the barracks on Planty, in July 1941. Was sent to Berdyczów, Kommandant des reckwartigen Armeegebiets 585 (Korutsk) (585. Evidence. ca. Army Rear Area) – commander, Lt. Gen. Alfred von Puttkamer, secured order in the rear of the 6th Army, subordinated to the units:

Sicherungs Division 213, OK (Orstkommandantur) 922 (from summer 1941), FK (Feldkommandantur) 503 — composed of: commander with orderly, officer on duty; quartermaster guards: quartermaster with orderly and scribe, intendant, assistant intendant, a clerk, two clerks of the intendancy office, a sanitary officer from the a nurse, a veterinarian and a writer; law enforcement service: gendarme officer, three field gendarmes (three motorcycles); intelligence: commander, assistant commander, translator, censor of letters, two writers, two managers cyclists (two motorcycles); adjutant with a writer and liaison, judge with scribe and secretary; lower staff: commander, service specialist by car, four drivers (four motorcycles), six drivers (six motorcycles), four drivers (three passenger cars, truck), three orderlies, a supply man.

Sicherungs Division 213 (213th Security Division) — created 15th March 1941, commander, Lt. Gen. Rene I'Homme de Courbiere, chief of staff Lt. Col. Ernst Hugo von Unruh, composed of: Infanterie Regiment 318 (318th Infantry Regiment), had three battalions, commander Col. Bickel; I/Arttilerie Regiment 213 (1st Division of the 213th Regiment Artillery), before June 22, 1941, transferred to Zamość, occupied was used to protect the rear of the 6th Army in August 1941 in the east.

In June 1941, POW camps were established: improvised Auffanglager (improvised collective camp) in Tomaszów Lubelski and Kriegsgefangenan sammelstellen (collection points for prisoners of war) in Dorohusk, Sokal, Uściług. The 318th Infantry Regiment protected the camp in Tomaszów and convoyed prisoners to the camp in Zamość, and protected the reception points national rifle battalions subordinated to the division: 380 in Sokal battalion; in Dorohusk 637.; in Uściług 552.

Stab LI Armeekorps (Headquarters of the 51st Corps) — June 22, 1941, the command of the corps was transferred from Lublin to Zamość, the commander of the infantry general Hans Wolfgang Reinhard, stationed in Wólka Łabuńska, Chief of Staff Col. Wilhelm Ochsner Aufstellung, July 1, 1941, the command is on the Bug River opposite Sokal.

Infanterie Division 57 (57th Infantry Division) – stationed in Zamość and the surrounding area since May 1941, before June 22, 1941, it is on the Bug River in Sokal, commander Major General Oskar Blumm, 179th Infantry Regiment – commander Col. Hans Bergen, 199th Infantry Regiment – Lt. Col. Hans Schmidt, 217th Infantry Regiment – Lt. Col. Karl Britzelmayr, 157. pa - Col. Walter Wissmath, part of the XXXXIV corps.

Infanterie Division 79 (79th Infantry Division) – transported by rail to Zamość, stationed in Zamość and the surrounding area from June 26, 1941, July 1, 1941 is on the Bug River in the Sokal area, the commander, Lt. Gen. Karl Strecker, 208th Infantry Regiment – Col. Hasso von Wedel, 212th Infantry Regiment – Col. Richard von Schwerin

226th Infantry Regiment – Col. Schreiber, 179th Art Regiment – Col. Babinger, composed of LI Korpusu

Infanterie Division 95 (95th Infantry Division) – on July 1, 1941, it was hastily transferred on the railway from Kraków to Zamość, where it maintained its defense until July 3 roundabout, by sending insurance to Werbkowice, it secured the exposure closed left wing 6A before the attack from the area of Włodzimierz WoŁyński, then moved to Hrubieszów, the division commander, Gen. Lieutenant Hans Heinrich Sixt von Arnim was stationed in the city, squad: 278.

Infantry Regiment 98 – Col. Kremling, 279th Infantry Regiment – Lt. Col. Muller, 280th Infantry Regiment – Col. Muller-Derichsweiler, 195th art regiment – Col. Walter Beisswanger, member of the LI Corps, Infanterie Division 98 (98th Infantry Division) - June 22, 1941 from the main reserve his command transferred to Zamość, then to Łuck, commander division, Lt. Gen. Erich Schrock, composition: 282nd Infantry Regiment - Col. Martin Gareis, 289th – Col. Rudolf Geiger, 290th – Col. Johannes Mayer, 198th Art Regiment – colonel Ferdinand Bruhl.

Air commander of the 6th Army

Komandeur der Luftwaffe Armee-Oberkommando 6 (Koluft 6) (Commander aviation of the 6th Army) - commander Col. Gunter Wieland was stationed in Zamość in June 1941, non-which air units of the 5th Air Corps:

▪ 2(H)/AGr. 10 (2nd Squadron, 10th Reconnaissance Squadron), based at Dubai airport
▪ 5(H) AGr. 11 (5th Squadron, 11th Reconnaissance Squadron), based in Mokre
▪ 3(H)/AGr. 21 (3rd Squadron, 21st Reconnaissance Squadron), based in Mokre
▪ 4(H)/AGr. 41 (4th Squadron, 41st Reconnaissance Squadron), based in Mokre
▪ Kuriersteffel 5 (5th liaison squadron), based in Kadłubiska
▪ Stab/Flak Reiment 91 (mot.) (command of the 91st Motorized Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment, commander Lt. Col. Rudolf Memmert, composed of: subordinated to I/Flak Regiment 8 (mot.) (1st division 8th Motorized Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment); I/Flak Regiment 9 (mot.) (1st Division of the 9th Motorized Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment); II/Flak Regiment 241 (motorized) (2nd Squadron, 241st Motorized Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment), commander Capt. Max Gertling
▪ Luftnarichten Abteilung 3 (H) (mot.) (3rd Air Motorized Communications Squadron) - stationed in Zamość, commander Lt. Col. Georg Freytag, composed of: squadron command (Stab./Ln. Abt. 3 (H)); 1. comtelephone communications lady (1/Ln. Abt. 3(H)); 2nd radio communications company diowa (2/Ln. Abt. 3 (H)); hardware column [Gerate Kolonne/Ln. Abt. 3(H)], (H) Heeres - The Army reports that this is a close reconnaissance unit air forces acting for the land forces.

Military order commands under which Zamość was subordinated

The higher command was responsible for the protection of facilities, training and suppliesm crushing subordinate units, eliminating population uprisings, garrison commands were subordinated to her.

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