Sturzkampfgeschwader 77

Sturzkampfgeschwader 77
Unit emblem of StG 77
Active	1 May 1939 – 18 October 1943
Country	Germany
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Branch	Luftwaffe
Type	Dive bomber
Role	Close air support Offensive counter air Maritime interdiction Anti-tank warfare
Size	Air Force Wing
Engagements	World War II
Commanders
Notable commanders	Günter Schwartzkopff
Insignia
Identification symbol	Geschwaderkennung of S2

Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 (StG 77) was a Luftwaffe dive bomber wing during World War II. From the outbreak of war StG 77 distinguished itself in every Wehrmacht major operation until the Battle of Stalingrad in 1942.^[1] If the claims made by StG 77 are accurate, it inflicted more damage to enemy ground forces than any other wing.^[2] It operated the Junkers Ju 87 dive-bomber exclusively in the combat role. The Dornier Do 17 and Messerschmitt Bf 110 were both used in the air reconnaissance role.

Founded in May 1939 StG 77 entered the war with only two of the usual three groups assigned to a Luftwaffe combat wing. It supported the invasion of Poland in September 1939 which opened the conflict. In May and June 1940 it operated in the interdiction, close air support and anti-shipping role supporting Army Group A and Army Group B in the Battle of the Netherlands, Battle of Belgium and Battle of France. In June 1940 a third group was added. Beginning in July 1940 it fought in the Battle of Britain, but the Ju 87-equipped wings were removed from the battle after just five weeks. StG 77 flew against British shipping until the winter, 1940/1941.

StG 77 then moved to the Balkans. It operated in the battle for the air superiority, anti-shipping, interdiction and close support role in the Invasion of Yugoslavia, Battle of Greece and Battle of Crete in April and May 1941. The wing inflicted heavy losses on shipping with StG 1, StG 2 and StG 3. StG 77 was supported Army Group Centre and Army Group South on the Eastern Front, from June 1941, after Operation Barbarossa. In particular, it served with distinction in the Battle of Uman, Battle of Kiev, Crimean Campaign, Second Battle of Kharkov, Battle of the Caucasus and ultimately the Battle of Stalingrad.

In its final year, StG 77 continued close air support operations in support of the Centre and Southern army groups, but began to operate more specifically in the anti-tank role with the introduction of the Ju 87G variant; specifically armed to engage Soviet armour. It fought at the Battle of Kursk in July 1943 and the subsequent retreat to the Dnieper; its final battle.

In October 1943, the Stuka wings were reorganised. They were renamed Schlachtgeschwader (battle wings) as opposed to dive-bomber wings (Sturzkampfgeschwader). The Ju 87s had become too vulnerable, and there were no longer sufficient fighter aircraft to provide escort, or enough fuel for joint operations. The number of dive-bombers were scaled down, and mixed with fighter-bombers, particularly Focke-Wulf Fw 190, which could fight on equal terms after it released its bombs.

The wing ceased to exist on 18 October 1943. II. Gruppe was redesignated as III. Gruppe Schlachtgeschwader 10, the remaining groups renamed and sent to Schlachtgeschwader 77.