Kampfgeschwader 27
'Kampfgeschwader' 27 Boelcke was a Luftwaffe medium bomber wing of World War II.
| Kampfgeschwader 27 | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 May 1939 – April 1945 |
| Country | Nazi Germany |
| Branch | Luftwaffe |
| Type | Bomber wing |
| Role | Maritime interdiction Air interdiction Close air support Offensive counter air Anti-aircraft warfare |
| Size | Air Force Wing |
| Nickname(s) | Boelcke |
| Patron | Oswald Boelcke |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Hans-Henning Freiherr von Beust |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol | Geschwaderkennung of 1G |
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Gruppen participated in Operation Barbarossa and spent the next years on the Eastern front until 1944, until it was withdrawn to assist the evacuation of the German-occupied region.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.