StG 3 also served in the Battle of the Mediterranean and spearheaded the last German campaign-sized victory in the Dodecanese campaign in autumn 1943.

A fourth wing, aside from smaller units such as StG 5, 76 and 151, was formed to increase dive bomber capability and organisation.

Oberst Karl Angerstein became the wing's first commanding officer (Geschwaderkommodore) but was replaced on 27 July by Oberstleutnant Hermann Edert.

[3] World War II in Europe began with the German invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939, in collaboration with the Soviet Union.

It used airstrips near to the port city and Théville as forward staging areas, in close proximity to British shipping in the Channel.

[5][6] The men of Sandhurst received six mentions in dispatches and the Dover port personnel were awarded four George Medals—the last to Tug Harbour Master Captain F. J.

[7] On 8 August StG 3 formed part of the strike force that attacked Convoy Peewit off the Isle of Wight.

SS Empire Crusader in the lead, was hit by StG 2 and sank several hours later; four ships were sunk and four were damaged in the attacks.

[4] StG 3 were possibly scouting for targets on 7 October as a reconnaissance Dornier Do 17 from Stab./StG 3 crash landed to unknown causes.

[4] Unteroffizier Friedrich Imspring's 'S7 + ML' of 3/StG 3 failed to return, as did 'S7 + EL' of 3 Staffel piloted by Leutnant Walter Kummer.

The wing's command was ordered to carry out attacks against Malta, the Mediterranean Fleet, and destroy shipping sailing between Sicily and North Africa, to support their Italian ally fighting in Libya.

[18] The crews thought four direct hits would sink the ship and began practice operations on floating mock-ups.

Witnessed by Andrew Cunningham, C-in-C of the Fleet from the battleship HMS Warspite, the Ju 87s scored six hits.

[38] The damage to the latter ship may have been made by the single Ju 87 lost, which dropped a bomb into the forward gun position before it crashed.

[39] A small number of I./StG 3 units remained on Crete to attack British warships in the eastern Mediterranean without successes.

StG 3 ranged ahead of the German ground forces disrupting communications and attacking troop columns.

[44] I./StG 3 attacked Tobruk harbour on 2 April, losing two aircraft and their crews despite a strong escort from JG 27 Bf 109s.

[48] The following day it lost its commander Heinrich Eppen killed by South African Air Force fighters.

Two more were lost against the Free French fortress of Bir Hacheim which held out under dice bombing attacks for two weeks until 10 June.

[57][58] Operation Harpoon, in mid-June 1942 was contested by StG 3 which sank freighters Burdwan, Chant, and tanker Tanimbar.

[31]Staffelkapitän of 5./StG 3, Oberleutnant Hans Drescher concluded, "the position of the English at El Alamien could no longer be penetrated.

The upgrades had little effect on the Battle of Alam Halfa, which was another failed attempt to break the Allied defences at El Alamein.

II./StG 3 was ordered to Trapani then Elmas in Sardinia under the command of Fliegerkorps X, to attack shipping in the western Mediterranean on 29 October.

The group had suffered heavy losses—on 11 November 1942 it was virtually destroyed in combat with P–40s, possibly losing 14 from a formation of 15 aircraft.

Three days later, Ju 87s supported a 30-strong tank formation which seized the Pont du Fahs but was held at Bou Arada.

It fought at the Battle of Wadi Akarit and lost three Ju 87s attacking artillery and armour Oued Zarga on 7 April.

The 1 Fliegerdivision, immensely successful until 12 July, now faced the more effective 1st Air Army, which broke the German division's superiority.

[87] The evacuation of Orel bulge was possible since the Luftwaffe had kept open the lines of communication which allowed for a defensive success.

On 6 October 1943 the group attacked elements of the Black Sea Fleet comprising the Leningrad class destroyers Kharkov, Besposhchadny and Sposobny and sank them.

[51] III./StG 3 attacked Carlisle which was damaged; the group is credited with sinking Panther as well, in contrast to other sources asserting I./StG 3 sank the destroyer.