WW2 German Luftwaffe – FUSELAGE SKIN & EMBLEM – Ju87 Stuka – I./StG. 1 – RARE!

StG 1 was formed at the close of the 1930s as the Luftwaffe rushed to form and re-organise its combat units. I./StG 1 was formed first, not the stab (command) staffel (squadron), on 1 May 1939 in Insterburg, East Prussia. Major Werner Rentsch was appointed as the group’s first commanding officer. The group was created by renaming I./StG 160. It remained there with all 38 Ju 87s serviceable, and two of its three Dornier Do 17Ps operational for reconnaissance.

Stab./StG 1 was formed on 18 November 1939 at Jüterbog, and the wing had its first Geschwaderkommodore, Oberst Eberhard Baier. It was equipped with three Ju 87s and six Do 17s by 10 May 1940. The unit was placed under the command of Fliegerkorps VIII.[2] All but one of the aircraft was combat ready. II./StG 1 was formed on 9 July 1940 in France, possibly at Saint-Inglevert Airfield, around Marquise, northeast of Boulogne. Hauptmann Anton Keil was appointed commander.

III./StG 1 also did not exist until 9 July 1940 when it was formed at Falaise. Hauptmann Helmut Mahlke became the first commanding officer. The group was formed by renaming Trägersturzkampfgruppe I./Tr.G. 186. The strength of the second and third groups at the commencement of combat operations is unknown.

On 17 June 1943 Panzerjägerstaffel/StG 1 (tank hunting squadron) was created. It was equipped with Ju 87G cannon-armed aircraft specifically for engaging Soviet armour. Little is known about this unit. It was known to have fought at Kursk from 12 and 13 July 1943 when Luftflotte 6, to which it was attached, claimed 67/68 tanks destroyed. It is known to have lost two aircraft, one killed and wounded. It was renamed 10.(Pz)/SG 77 at Orsha on 18 October 1943.[94]