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Kommando Koch: strength returns
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It must be emphasised that most of the figures below are provisional. While Fliegerkorps X's strength reports were frequently deciphered by the British, their form was not consistent. Returns may cover only some of the units subordinated to the Korps and the individual formations' names are seldom given, rather they are listed as "(a), (b), (c) …" A further complication is introduced units as units arrive from or leave for other commands such as Fliegerkorps II and Fliegerführer Afrika. in response to the demands of war.
All this makes it necessary to compare successive sets of figures and to deduce which is which. At times the picture is obscured where there are a number of unnamed units with similar strengths. Working outwards from the instances where the Kommando is named (see the "remarks" column below), it is however possible to give an idea of its growth, up to and beyond the point where operations apparently ceased. It is noteworthy that neither of the unit's known losses appears to have reduced its reported strength.
Date
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Total
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Serv.
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Remarks
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ULTRA No.
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|
|
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|
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01 Aug 42
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–
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–
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No mention in Fl.Kps. X strength return, although Kommando Koch is allocated equipment by the Korps that day.
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MKA 809
MKA 956
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04 Aug 42
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|
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First ULTRA report of a jamming aircraft protecting a convoy.
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MK 1064
MKA 1997
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16 Aug 42
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3
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(2)
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"unidentified unit" (first mention).
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MKA 2083
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17 Aug 42
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3
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(2)
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MKA 2147
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18 Aug 42
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3
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(1)
|
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MKA 2288
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19 Aug 42
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3
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(2)
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MKA 2288
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27 Aug 42
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|
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An aircraft en route to the Kommando made a forced landing in Belgrade.
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QT 334
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02 Sep 42
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4
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(2)
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He 111 H-6, W.Nr. 7586, TM+KP lost in crash off Kalamaki.
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QT 668
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05 Sep 42
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?
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(?)
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2 He 111 H-6 and 1 Ju 88 D-5 reported unserviceable.
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CX/MSS/1458,
para. 17
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11 Sep 42
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4
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(3)
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Sonderkommando Koch named: 3 (2) He 111 H-6 and 1 (1) Ju 88 D-5; 4 (3) crews.
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QT 1448
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15 Sep 42
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4
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(3)
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QT 1500
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25 Sep 42
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5
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(4)
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QT 2222
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06 Oct 42
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5
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(5)
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He 111 H-6, W.Nr. 7192 lost in crash at Tympaki.
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QT 2978
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07 Oct 42
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5
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(4)
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QT 3071
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09 Oct 42
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6
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(3)
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QT 3465
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19 Oct 42
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6
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(3)
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QT 4010
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30 Oct 42
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7
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(3)
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QT 4847
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05 Nov 42
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7
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(3)
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QT 5394
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06 Nov 42
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7
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(4)
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Last known operation.
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QT 5437
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07 Nov 42
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7
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(2)
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QT 5588
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08 Nov 42
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7
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(2)
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QT 5622
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10 Nov 42
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8
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(3)
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QT 5888
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12 Nov 42
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8
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(4)
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QT 6050
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15 Nov 42
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8
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(5)
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QT 6229
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17 Nov 42
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8
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(4)
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QT 6454
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20 Nov 42
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8
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(4)
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QT 6647
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26 Nov 42
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8
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(5)
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Sonderkommando Koch named.
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QT 7103
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02 Dec 42
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–
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–
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British comment: "units as in QT 7103 except that Stab/KG 76 replaces Sonder-Kommando Koch as item (m) and III./JG 27 replaces 5./JG 53 as item (r)."
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QT 7642
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