Kampfgeschwader 26

Kampfgeschwader 26
Active1939–45
Country Nazi Germany
BranchLuftwaffe
TypeBomber unit
Rolestrategic bombing
close air support
anti-shipping
aerial interdiction
SizeAir Force Wing
Nickname(s)Löwen
EngagementsPolish 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.