Zirkus Rosarius

Traveling circus Rosarius (also " prey Circus Rosarius " or simply " Circus Rosarius ") was the unofficial name of the 2nd season of the experimental association of the Luftwaffe ( 2./Versuchsverband Ob.dL ) in World War II. The Air Force unit used captured Allied aircraft to introduce them to the German fighter pilots, so that they could get to know their strengths and weaknesses.

History

The preparation of the test Ob.dL Association took place in March 1942 in Rheine, while the 2./Versuchsverband Ob.dL was only in 1943, situated on instruction by the then Inspector General of Fighters Adolf Galland in Oranienburg and led by Captain Theodor Rosarius. In 1944, a transfer to the airport of Göttingen, which was particularly well equipped with the necessary facilities for repair and maintenance.

In the unit flew German pilots with captured Allied fighter aircraft, which were presented at a fighter pilot schools, supplementary and regular day fighters and night fighter units. To this end, they flew from place to place, which ultimately led to the unofficial name traveling circus Rosarius. The German fighter pilots were able to familiarize themselves with the peculiarities of the Allied aircraft and eg Feints fly on this. This training intervention in frontline units were carried out usually with five to six aircraft.

Equipment

The second squadron was equipped with a number of different captured Allied fighters. Among them were Lockheed P -38 Lightning, Republic P -47 Thunderbolt, North American P -51 Mustang, Supermarine Spitfire, de Havilland Mosquito, Hawker Tempest, Lavochkin La -5 and Yakovlev Yak - third The machines came partly from the existence of the Rechlin test center, the first conducted an extensive flight testing with the loot. As special labeling almost all machines wore a yellow coat the bottom. The association identifier was " T9".

The first season of the experiment Association was entrusted with long-range reconnaissance tasks, employing a mostly the Junkers Ju 88. It was set up in January 1943 from the former 4 remote reconnaissance squadron of the Commander of the Air Force ( 4 (F) / Ob.dL ). The 3rd Season carried out experiments with captured Allied equipment. Parts of the experiment Association were transferred in early 1944 in the newly formed Combat Squadron 200 ( KG 200).

On the part of the RAF were using the no. 1426 Flight RAF a corresponding British air force unit.