Luftflotte 4[1] (Air Fleet 4) was one of the primary divisions of the German Luftwaffe in World War II. It was formed on 18 March 1939, from Luftwaffenkommando Österreich in Vienna. The Luftflotte was redesignated on 21 April 1945, to Luftwaffenkommando 4, and became subordinated to Luftflotte 6. It was the Luftflotte 4, that was responsible for the bombing campaign of Stalingrad, where ca. 40,000 civilians died. This Luftwaffe detachment was based in Romania, Bulgaria, Southeast Poland, Hungary, Ukraine and Russian occupied territories, for supporting Axis forces; with command offices in Morczyn, Hungary, during 26 June 1944, Eastern Front.

Luftflotte 4
Flag for the Chief of a Luftflotte
Active18 March 1939
Disbanded21 April 1945
Country Nazi Germany
Branch Luftwaffe
TypeCommand
EngagementsEastern Front
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Alexander Löhr
Wolfram von Richthofen

See Organization of the Luftwaffe (1933–1945) for explanation of abbreviations used below.

Component units

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Strategic reconnaissance

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Transports (special duties)

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  • 14 St./Transportgeschwader 4 (Odessa)

I. Fliegerkorps (I. Air Corps) Focșani

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Strategic reconnaissance

Tactical reconnaissance

Maritime reconnaissance

Fighter

Ground attack

Night ground attack

Bomber (medium)

VIII. Fliegerkorps (VIII Air Corps) Lubien Poland

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Strategic reconnaissance

Tactical reconnaissance

Land air strike

Night land attack

Bombers

Fliegerführer 102 Ungarn (102 Air Direction in Hungary) Łabunie

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Tactical reconnaissance

Fighters

Bombers

Fast bombers

Rumänisches I Fliegerkorps (I Romanian Air Corps) Tecuci

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Strategic/tactical reconnaissance

Fighters

Tactical support (dive bombers)

Bombers

Kom. Gen.d.dtsch. Lw.i. Rum (general in chief of German Air Force in Romania) Bucharest

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Jagdabschnittsführer Rum. (chief of sector fighters of Romania) Bucharest

Fighters

Night fighters

Commanding officers

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Oberst Herbert Olbrich

Chief of staff

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  • Oberst Günther Korten, 18 March 1939 – 19 December 1939
  • Oberst Herbert Olbrich, 19 December 1939 – 21 July 1940
  • Oberst Andreas Nielsen, 21 July 1940 – 3 November 1940
  • Oberst Richard Schimpf, 4 November 1940 – 15 January 1941
  • Generalleutnant Günther Korten, 15 January 1941 – 12 August 1942
  • Oberst Hans-Detlef Herhudt von Rohden, 24 August 1942 – 23 February 1943
  • Oberst Karl-Heinrich Schulz, 1 March 1943 – 25 March 1943
  • General Otto Deßloch, 26 March 1943 – 3 September 1943
  • Generalmajor Karl-Heinrich Schulz, 3 September 1943 – 21 April 1945

References

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Notes
  1. ^ For an explanation of the meaning of Luftwaffe unit designation see Luftwaffe Organisation
References
  • Luftflotte 4 @ Lexikon der Wehrmacht
  • Luftflotte 4 @ The Luftwaffe, 1933-45
  • Henry L. deZeng IV (2014). "Luftwaffe Airfields 1935 - 1945".