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Concept
Sturzkampfgeschwader 77
Summary
Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 (StG 77) was a Luftwaffe dive bomber wing during World War II. From the outbreak of war StG 77 distinguished itself in every Wehrmacht major operation until the Battle of Stalingrad in 1942. If the claims made by StG 77 are accurate, it inflicted more damage to enemy ground forces than any other wing. It operated the Junkers Ju 87 dive-bomber exclusively in the combat role. The Dornier Do 17 and Messerschmitt Bf 110 were both used in the air reconnaissance role.
Founded in May 1939 StG 77 entered the war with only two of the usual three groups assigned to a Luftwaffe combat wing. It supported the invasion of Poland in September 1939 which opened the conflict. In May and June 1940 it operated in the interdiction, close air support and anti-shipping role supporting Army Group A and Army Group B in the Battle of the Netherlands, Battle of Belgium and Battle of France. In June 1940 a third group was added. Beginning in July 1940 it fought in the Battle of Britain, but the Ju 87-equipped wings were removed from the battle after just five weeks. StG 77 flew against British shipping until the winter, 1940/1941.
StG 77 then moved to the Balkans. It operated in the battle for the air superiority, anti-shipping, interdiction and close support role in the Invasion of Yugoslavia, Battle of Greece and Battle of Crete in April and May 1941. The wing inflicted heavy losses on shipping with StG 1, StG 2 and StG 3. StG 77 was supported Army Group Centre and Army Group South on the Eastern Front, from June 1941, after Operation Barbarossa. In particular, it served with distinction in the Battle of Uman, Battle of Kiev, Crimean Campaign, Second Battle of Kharkov, Battle of the Caucasus and ultimately the Battle of Stalingrad.
In its final year, StG 77 continued close air support operations in support of the Centre and Southern army groups, but began to operate more specifically in the anti-tank role with the introduction of the Ju 87G variant; specifically armed to engage Soviet armour.
Official source
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