Erprobungskommando
Encyclopedia
An Erprobungskommando was a Luftwaffe
unit tasked with the testing of new aircraft and weaponry under operational conditions.
-West, as a test unit for the new Messerschmitt Me 163
rocket fighter. The unit was disbanded on 14 February 1945.
, to test the new Focke-Wulf Ta 154
night fighter.
jet fighter.
. The unit was disbanded on 26 September 1944 and used to form Kommando Nowotny
.
as Kommando Stamp, flying the Me 262A-1a
, as an experimental nightfighter unit, but was soon renamed Kommando Welter. The unit was redesignated 10./NJG 11 on 28 January 1945.
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
unit tasked with the testing of new aircraft and weaponry under operational conditions.
Erprobungskommando 16
Erprobungskommando 16 was formed March 1943 in PeenemündePeenemünde
The Peenemünde Army Research Center was founded in 1937 as one of five military proving grounds under the Army Weapons Office ....
-West, as a test unit for the new Messerschmitt Me 163
Messerschmitt Me 163
The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet, designed by Alexander Lippisch, was a German rocket-powered fighter aircraft. It is the only rocket-powered fighter aircraft ever to have been operational. Its design was revolutionary, and the Me 163 was capable of performance unrivaled at the time. Messerschmitt...
rocket fighter. The unit was disbanded on 14 February 1945.
Commanding officers
- Major Wolfgang SpäteWolfgang SpäteMajor Wolfgang Späte was a German World War II Luftwaffe flying ace. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
, February 1943 - May 1944 - Hauptmann Toni Thaler, May 1944 - February 1945
Erprobungskommando 154
Erprobungskommando 154 was formed in November 1943 in LangenhagenLangenhagen
Langenhagen is a town in the Hanover district of Lower Saxony, Germany.-International relations:Langenhagen is twinned with: - Joinville - - Economy :...
, to test the new Focke-Wulf Ta 154
Focke-Wulf Ta 154
|-See also:-External links:*...
night fighter.
Erprobungskommando 162
Erprobungskommando 162 was formed in January 1945 in Rechlin-Roggenthin, to test the new Heinkel He 162Heinkel He 162
The Heinkel He 162 Volksjäger was a German single-engine, jet-powered fighter aircraft fielded by the Luftwaffe in World War II. Designed and built quickly, and made primarily of wood as metals were in very short supply and prioritised for other aircraft, the He 162 was nevertheless the fastest of...
jet fighter.
Erprobungskommando 262
Erprobungskommando 262 was formed in April 1944 in Lechfeld to test the new Messerschmitt Me 262Messerschmitt Me 262
The Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe was the world's first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft. Design work started before World War II began, but engine problems prevented the aircraft from attaining operational status with the Luftwaffe until mid-1944...
. The unit was disbanded on 26 September 1944 and used to form Kommando Nowotny
Kommando Nowotny
Kommando Nowotny was a Luftwaffe fighter Gruppe formed during the last months of World War II for testing and establishing tactics for the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter, and was created and first commanded by Walter Nowotny, from whom it drew its name....
.
Commanding officers
- Hauptmann Werner ThierfelderWerner ThierfelderWerner Thierfelder was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Werner Thierfelder was killed on 18 July 1944...
, April 1944 - 18 July 1944 - Major Walter NowotnyWalter NowotnyMajor Walter "Nowi" Nowotny was an Austrian-born German fighter ace of World War II. He is credited with 258 aerial victories in 442 combat missions...
, 19 July 1944 - 26 September 1944
Kommando Welter
Kommando Welter was initially formed in November 1944 in Burg bei MagdeburgMagdeburg
Magdeburg , is the largest city and the capital city of the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Magdeburg is situated on the Elbe River and was one of the most important medieval cities of Europe....
as Kommando Stamp, flying the Me 262A-1a
Messerschmitt Me 262
The Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe was the world's first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft. Design work started before World War II began, but engine problems prevented the aircraft from attaining operational status with the Luftwaffe until mid-1944...
, as an experimental nightfighter unit, but was soon renamed Kommando Welter. The unit was redesignated 10./NJG 11 on 28 January 1945.
Commanding officers
- Oberleutnant Gerhard Stamp, November 1944
- Oberleutnant Kurt WelterKurt WelterKurt Welter was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and the most successful Jet Expert of World War II.For a list of Luftwaffe jet aces see List of German World War II jet aces A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat...
, November 1944 - January 1945