Kampfgeschwader 3
Kampfgeschwader 3 "Blitz" (KG 3) was a Luftwaffe bomber wing during World War II .
| Kampfgeschwader 3 | |
|---|---|
| Active | Formed: 1 May 1939 Disbanded officially: 18 August 1944 Disbandment still underway by 10 September 1944. |
| Country | Nazi Germany |
| Branch | Luftwaffe |
| Type | Bomber Wing |
| Role | Air interdiction close air support Offensive counter air Maritime interdiction Strategic bombing |
| Size | Air Force Wing |
| Nickname(s) | Blitz |
| Engagements | Polish Campaign Battle of Belgium Battle of France German invasion of Yugoslavia Battle of Greece Battle of Crete Eastern Front |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol | Geschwaderkennung of 5K |
KG 3 was created in 1939 as the Luftwaffe reorganised and expanded to meet Adolf Hitler's rearmament demands. It was founded in May 1939 and by December 1939, had three active Gruppen (Groups). KG 3 operated the Dornier Do 17 and Junkers Ju 88 medium bombers.
KG 3 served in the Invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 which began the war in Europe. It spent the Phoney War on reconnaissance operations and dropping propaganda leaflets over France. In May and June 1940 it fought in the Battle of Belgium and Battle of France. In July 1940, the force took part in the Battle of Britain and The Blitz.
In June 1941 it supported Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. KG 3 remained on the Eastern Front for the duration of the wing's existence as a bomber unit. III./KG 3 became the last Gruppe in the Luftwaffe to operate the Dornier Do 17. The Gruppe was also converted to the Heinkel He 111 and used as a delivery platform to launch V-1 flying bombs against the United Kingdom from the spring to late summer, 1944.
KG 3 was ordered to disband on 18 August 1944 but by the 10 September the dissolution of the wing was still ongoing. All Gruppen ceased to exist by October 1944 and were merged with other Luftwaffe units before the German capitulation in May 1945.