Luftwaffe Nachtschlachtgruppe 11 at Johvi-Ahtme Airfield, Estonia

The Luftwaffe Nachtschlachtgruppe 11 (NSGr 11) was deployed at Johvi-Ahtme Airfield on 27 May 1944. The Estonian-manned unit, equipped with Fokker CV.E and Heinkel He 50 biplanes, was formed at Johvi in December 1943 and operated from there through July 1944. The unit flew night harassment missions against Soviet positions around Narva, 45 km to the east. A total of 36 aircraft, including 20 C.V-E, five He 50 and nine low-wing monoplanes were at the airfield. Many of the aircraft were dispersed around the field.

Johvi-Ahtme was an established base with an 850-meter earthen runway and parking revetments (another landing area at the town of Johvi, 3 km to the north was serviceable in September 1944). The airfield was well-defended by at least eight anti-aircraft sites and other defensive positions. A few bomb craters around the field indicated it had come under only limited attack despite the relatively close proximity to the front lines.