Kampfgeschwader 40

Kampfgeschwader 40
Active1939–45
Country Nazi Germany
BranchLuftwaffe
TypeBomber wing
RoleAnti Shipping.
SizeAir Force Wing
EngagementsWorld War II
Battle of the Atlantic
Operation Steinbock
Insignia
Identification
symbol
Geschwaderkennung
of F8

Kampfgeschwader 40 (KG 40) was a Luftwaffe medium and heavy bomber wing of World War II, and the primary maritime patrol unit of any size within the Luftwaffe. It is best remembered as the unit operating a majority of the four-engine Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor maritime patrol bombers. The unit suffered from the poor serviceability and low production rates of the Fw 200 bombers, and from repeated diversion of its long-haul capability aircraft to undertake transport duties in various theatres, especially for the airlift operations to supply encircled forces in the Battle of Stalingrad.[1] Later in the war, KG 40 became one of several Luftwaffe bomber wings to use the Heinkel He 177A heavy bomber.

  1. ^ Wood, Tony; Gunston, Bill (1977). Hitler's Luftwaffe. New York: Crescent Books. pp. 64–69&170–171. ISBN 0-517-22477-1.