Kampfgeschwader 27

'Kampfgeschwader' 27 Boelcke was a Luftwaffe medium bomber wing of World War II. Formed in May 1939, KG 27 first saw action in the German invasion of Poland in September 1939. During the Phoney War—September 1939 – April 1940—the bomber wing flew armed reconnaissance missions over France. In May 1940 it fought in the Battle of Belgium and Battle of France through to the end of the campaigns in June 1940. In July 1940, KG 27 fought in the Battle of Britain and The Blitz until June 1941. In June 1941 the unit's Gruppen participated in Operation Barbarossa and spent the next years on the Eastern front until 1944, until it was withdrawn to assist the evacuation of the German-occupied region. It returned to the Eastern Front until November 1944. At this time, all three combat groups remained operational but were converted to fighter units for Defence of the Reich duties. It is not known when KG 27 was disbanded. An anti-locomotive staffel was known to have operated as a bomber unit into April 1945. The date given for Oberstleutnant Rudolf Kiel's relief of command is 10 April 1945. Kiel was the wing's final commanding officer. Stab. (command staffel – squadron)/KG 27 was formed at Hannover-Langenhagen on 1 May 1939 from stab./KG 157. Oberst Hans Behrendt was appointed as the first Geschwaderkommodore. On 1 September 1939 it mustered five operational bombers from six. I./KG 27 was formed from I./KG 157 at the same base. Oberstleutnant Fritz Graumnitz was appointed as the group's commander. The group could field 31 from 35 operational bombers. Major Sigismund Freiher von Falkenstein led the group from 1 October 1940 to 21 May 1940. He was succeeded by Gerhard Ulbricht on 3 June 1940, with Konrad Aschenbrenner acting as commander in between. II./KG 27 was formed at Wunstorf, with Major Arno deSalengre Drabbe in command on 32 (of 35) combat-ready bombers. III./KG 27 was formed at Delmenhorst by the redesignation of III./KG 157. Otto Sommer was placed in the command.