Kampfgeschwader 26 | |
---|---|
Active | 1939–45 |
Country | Nazi Germany |
Branch | Luftwaffe |
Type | Bomber unit |
Role | strategic bombing close air support anti-shipping aerial interdiction |
Size | Air Force Wing |
Nickname(s) | Löwen |
Engagements | Polish Campaign German invasion of Denmark (1940) Norwegian Campaign Battle of France Battle of Britain Balkans Campaign German invasion of Yugoslavia Battle of Greece Battle of Crete Battle of the Mediterranean Siege of Malta Battle of the Atlantic Arctic Convoys of World War II Eastern Front Operation Torch Allied invasion of Sicily Italian Campaign Battle of Normandy |
Insignia | |
Identification symbol | Geschwaderkennung of 1H |
Kampfgeschwader 26 (KG 26) "Löwengeschwader" (in English Bomber Wing 26 aka "Lions' Wing" by virtue of its insignia) was a German air force Luftwaffe bomber wing unit during World War II. Its units participated on all of the fronts in the European Theatre until the end of the war. It operated three of the major German aircraft medium bomber types; the Heinkel He 111, Junkers Ju 88 and the Junkers Ju 188. The unit engaged in both strategic bombing, close air support, anti-shipping and aerial interdiction operations. The majority of its operational life – not entirely unlike another Luftwaffe wing designated KG 40 — was spent on anti-shipping missions.