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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Jagdverband'' 44}}
{{More footnotes|date=March 2011}}
{{More footnotes|date=March 2011}}
__NOTOC__{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Jagdverband'' 44}}

{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=''Jagdverband'' 44
| unit_name = ''Jagdverband'' 44
|image=[[File:Jagdverband 44.svg|140px]]
| image = Jagdverband 44.svg
| image_size = 100px
|caption=JV 44
| caption = Unit insignia
|dates=March 1945 – May 1945
| dates = March 1945 – May 1945
|country={{flag|Nazi Germany}}
| country = {{flag|Nazi Germany}}
|branch={{Luftwaffe}}
| branch = {{Air force|Nazi Germany}}
|type=[[Fighter Aircraft]]
| type = [[Special operations forces]]
|role=Bomber intercept
| role = [[Aerial reconnaissance]]<br>[[Aerial warfare]]<br>[[Air combat manoeuvring]]<br>[[Airstrike]]<br>[[Close air support]]<br>[[Special operations]]<br>[[Tactical bombing]]
|size= ~ 50 pilots<br>~ 25 planes
| size =
|command_structure=
| command_structure =
|base=[[Ainring]]
| garrison = [[Ainring]]
|nickname=''Der Galland Zirkus'' (The Galland Circus)<br/>''Die Jet Experten'' (The Jet Aces)<br/> The Flying Sanatorium
| nickname =
|identification_symbol=
| identification_symbol =
|battles= [[Defense of the Reich]]
| battles = [[Defense of the Reich]]
|notable_commanders=[[Adolf Galland]]<br/>[[Heinz Bär]]
| notable_commanders = [[Adolf Galland]]<br/>[[Heinz Bär]]
|equipment= [[Messerschmitt Me 262|Me 262]]
| equipment =
|equipment_label= ''Fighter Aircraft''
<!-- Aircraft -->
| equipment_label = Fighter Aircraft<!-- Aircraft -->
|aircraft_fighter=[[Messerschmitt Me 262|Me 262]], [[Focke-Wulf Fw 190|Fw 190]]
| aircraft_fighter = [[Messerschmitt Me 262|Me 262]], [[Focke-Wulf Fw 190|Fw 190D]]
}}
}}


'''''Jagdverband'' 44 (JV 44)''' was a special [[fighter aircraft|fighter]] unit of top [[Nazi Germany|German]] fighter pilots in the [[Luftwaffe]] during the last months of [[World War II]].{{sfn|Forsyth|2008}} The main aircraft used by the unit was the [[Messerschmitt Me 262]] jet fighter.
'''''Jagdverband'' 44 (JV 44)''' was a German Luftwaffe special operations unit during [[World War II]]. It was formed during the last months of [[World War II]] to operate the [[Messerschmitt Me 262]] jet fighter.{{sfn|Forsyth|2008}}


== History ==
The commander of JV 44 was General [[Adolf Galland]], the former ''[[General der Jagdflieger]]'' (General of Fighter pilots) who had recently been sacked from his staff post by [[Hermann Göring]] for criticizing the operational policies, strategic doctrine, and tactics mandated by the Luftwaffe High Command. Galland was charged with setting up a small Me 262 unit to demonstrate the capabilities of the jet fighter.{{cn|date=May 2017}}
The commander of JV 44 was General [[Adolf Galland]], the former ''[[General der Jagdflieger]]'' (General of Fighter pilots) who had recently been sacked from his staff post by [[Hermann Göring]] for criticizing the operational policies, strategic doctrine, and tactics mandated by the [[Oberkommando der Luftwaffe|Luftwaffe High Command]] in the "[[Fighter Pilots' Revolt incident|Fighter Pilots' Revolt]]". Galland was charged with setting up a small Me 262 unit to demonstrate the capabilities of the jet fighter, as Göring taunted him to "prove what you've always said about the 262's great potential."{{sfn|Makos|Alexander|2012|p=283}} Additionally, Göring saw this as a way of possibly disposing of Galland and fellow members of the Fighter Pilot's Revolt, rather than forcing their suicides, which had been overruled by Hitler.{{sfn|Makos|Alexander|2012|p=283}}


JV 44 comprised a core of experienced pilots chosen from Galland's former staff or recruited from units which had been disbanded or were being re-equipped. JV 44 performed well during its brief history, achieving a 4-to-1 kill ratio. However, it had relatively few operational jet planes available for any single sortie and was repeatedly forced to relocate due to the approach of Allied ground forces.
JV 44 comprised a core of experienced pilots (''[[Experten]]'') chosen from Galland's former staff or recruited from units which had been disbanded or were being re-equipped. JV 44 performed well during its brief history, achieving a 4-to-1 kill ratio. However, it had relatively few operational jet planes available for any single sortie and was repeatedly forced to relocate due to the approach of Allied ground forces. Its complement included 50 pilots and 25 airplanes.


Galland was injured on 26 April after attacking [[Martin B-26 Marauder|B-26 bombers]], and [[Heinrich Bär]] assumed command of the unit. As the [[End of World War II in Europe|German surrender]] approached, Galland disbanded the unit, releasing any pilots willing to leave, and lead the rest to the American occupation zone.{{sfn|Makos|Alexander|2012|pp=338–339}} This "whole-unit" defection was a major part of [[Operation LUSTY]], as the Americans gained a wealth of knowledge about jet technology (similar to [[Operation Paperclip]]).
==Operational history==
[[File:Messerschmitt Me 262A at the National Museum of the USAF.jpg|thumb|right|Me 262]]
The unit was established in February 1945 as a jet fighter squadron; many of its flying personnel were high-scoring aces or ''[[Fighter ace|Experten]]''—the unit's top five aces alone had more than 1,000 combined victories. Other Luftwaffe pilots joked that the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross|Knight's Cross (''Ritterkreuz'')]] was part of standard uniform in the ''Jagdverband'' 44, because all of the pilots were such highly decorated [[Flying ace|fighter aces]]. The unit eventually comprised some fifty pilots and 25 Me 262 jets, although no more than six of the latter were operational at any one given time.


Many JV-44 pilots went on to fly for the [[German Air Force|Bundesluftwaffe]] post-war, and formed the backbone of the establishment of the [[Bundeswehr]].
Early in the war, some efforts were made to convert the Me 262 fighter into a fast tactical bomber. Before [[D-Day]] this plan was supported by the High Command within the German government. In late 1944 German industry was struggling to produce enough Me 262's as fighters for defense against the constantly growing [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] [[bomber]] formations. The Me 262's superior speed (about 800–860&nbsp;km/h or 500-550&nbsp;mph) relative to piston-engined aircraft meant sorties could be scrambled quickly to defend factories and other targets throughout Germany.


== Notable pilots ==
JV-44 was responsible for defending southern areas of [[Nazi Germany]], especially around the cities of [[Stuttgart]], [[Ulm]], [[München]] and parts of current-day [[Austria]] including [[Innsbruck]] and [[Salzburg]].
JV-44 was renowned among the [[Defence of the Reich|late-war Luftwaffe]] for being a "Squadron of Experts," as many aces transferred to the unit in the final months of the war. A (false) rumor was even started to the effect that having the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross|Knight's Cross]] was a prerequisite to joining the unit.{{sfn|Makos|Alexander|2012|p=298}} Some of the most notable pilots were:


* [[Adolf Galland]], unit commander, former General of Fighter Pilots, holder of the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross#Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds|Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds]], and 104-victory ace
Because of the greater length of runway it required, and the slow acceleration it had at low speeds, the Me 262 was especially vulnerable during take-off and landing. Galland thus established his own protection flight. Five Fw 190D-9s and D-11s were attached to JV44, the ''Platzschutzstaffel'' (Airfield protection squadron), headed by ''Leutnant'' [[Heinz Sachsenberg]], to provide air cover for takeoffs and landings. Flights were to be undertaken in a two-aircraft ''Rotte'' up to altitudes of 500 metres, covering both the Me 262s taking off or landing and monitoring the surrounding skies for Allied fighters.
* [[Heinrich Bär]], second-in-command, holder of the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross#Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds|Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds]], and 208-victory ace
* [[Johannes Steinhoff]], [[Operations (military staff)|operations officer]], holder of the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross#Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords|Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords]], [[German Air Force|Bundesluftwaffe]] general, and 176-victory ace
* [[Gerhard Barkhorn]], holder of the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross#Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords|Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords]], and [[List of World War II aces from Germany#Pilots with more than 100 aerial victory claims|second-highest-scoring ace of all time]] with 301 victories
* [[Walter Krupinski]], holder of the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross#Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords|Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords]], one of the Luftwaffe's most colorful figures, and 197-victory ace
* [[Günther Lützow]], Galland's adjutant, holder of the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross#Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords|Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords]], and 110-victory ace
* [[Erich Hohagen]], unit technical officer, [[German Air Force|Bundesluftwaffe]] general, holder of the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross|Knight's Cross]], and 56-victory ace
* [[Franz Stigler]], unit technical officer and protagonist of the [[Charlie Brown and Franz Stigler incident|Brown-Stigler Incident]].


==Combat record==
==References==
By 14 March 1945 JV 44 had taken delivery of its first Me 262. JV 44's improvised training programme continued into late March. A ''Kette'' of 3 Me 262s led by ''Oberst'' Steinhoff mounted the first combat mission by JV 44 in late March, Steinoff claiming a Soviet Il-2 shot down. Surviving records suggest the unit shot down approximately 47 Allied aircraft during April/May 1945.


===Cittions===
[[General der Flieger]] Koller issued orders for JV44 to relocate to southern Germany in order to operate in the defence of the aircraft manufacturing plants and fuel and ammunition storage facilities in the area. Thus the unit was on the move constantly as the Allied ground forces advanced, including short stays at [[Munich-Riem airport|Munich-Riem]], [[Salzburg-Maxglan]], [[Ainring]] (Platzschutz) and [[Innsbruck]], eventually surrendering at the end of the war. Nearly all the aircraft were destroyed, including some deliberately blown up as Allied troops advanced. A number of aircraft however survived the war and were tested extensively by the United States.
{{Reflist|25em}}


===Bibliography===
==Pilots attached to JV 44==
* {{Cite book
{{col-begin}}
|last=Forsyth
{{col-break|width=50%}}
|first=Robert
*[[Adolf Galland]]
|year=2008
*[[Johannes Steinhoff]]
|title=Jagdverband 44 Squadron of Experten
*[[Heinrich Bär]]
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y1ibCwAAQBAJ
*[[Gerhard Barkhorn]]
|access-date=27 November 2017
*[[Walter Krupinski]]
|series=Aviation Elite Units
*[[Erich Hohagen]]
|volume=27
*[[Heinz Sachsenberg]]
|location=Oxford, UK
*[[Waldemar Wübke]]
|publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]]
*[[Franz Stigler]]
|isbn=978-1-84603-294-3
*[[Hans-Ekkehard Bob]]
}}
*[[Wilhelm Herget]]
* {{cite book
{{col-break|width=50%}}
|last1=Makos
*[[Heinrich Brücker]]
|first1=Adam
*[[Arnold Döring]]
|last2=Alexander
*[[Diethelm von Eichel-Streiber]]
|first2=Larry
*[[Hans Grünberg]]
|date=2012
*[[Alfred Heckmann]]
|title=[[A Higher Call]]: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II
*[[Herbert Kaiser]]
|edition= 1st
*[[Günther Lützow]]
|publisher=Berkley Caliber
*[[Klaus Neumann]]
|location=New York
*[[Karl-Heinz Schnell]]
|isbn=978-0-425-25286-4
*[[Leo Schuhmacher]]
}}
*[[Johann Karl Müller]]
{{col-end}}


== Further reading ==
==Notes==
*{{cite book|last=Forsyth|first=Robert|title=JV 44: the Galland circus |year=1996|publisher=Classic Publications |location=Burgess Hill |isbn=0952686708 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/15050371?selectedversion=NBD12591647 |access-date=24 February 2018}}
{{Reflist}}


{{Jagdgeschwader of the Luftwaffe}}
==References==
*{{cite book|last=Forsyth|first=Robert|title=Jagdverband 44 : Squadron of Experten|year=2008|publisher=Osprey|location=Oxford|isbn=978-1-84603-294-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Bl5OfE78e8C&|accessdate=1 January 2012|ref=harv}}
*''Research details of JV 44 The Redwulf- Squadron, Redwulf__1 - Klaus Bohnen- after Interviews with H.E. Bob and Franz Stigler''


[[Category:Luftwaffe Special Commands]]
[[Category:Luftwaffe Special Commands]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1945]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1945]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1945]]

Latest revision as of 06:03, 14 November 2024


Jagdverband 44
Unit insignia
ActiveMarch 1945 – May 1945
Country Nazi Germany
Branch Luftwaffe
TypeSpecial operations forces
RoleAerial reconnaissance
Aerial warfare
Air combat manoeuvring
Airstrike
Close air support
Special operations
Tactical bombing
Garrison/HQAinring
EngagementsDefense of the Reich
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Adolf Galland
Heinz Bär
Aircraft flown
FighterMe 262, Fw 190D

Jagdverband 44 (JV 44) was a German Luftwaffe special operations unit during World War II. It was formed during the last months of World War II to operate the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter.[1]

History

[edit]

The commander of JV 44 was General Adolf Galland, the former General der Jagdflieger (General of Fighter pilots) who had recently been sacked from his staff post by Hermann Göring for criticizing the operational policies, strategic doctrine, and tactics mandated by the Luftwaffe High Command in the "Fighter Pilots' Revolt". Galland was charged with setting up a small Me 262 unit to demonstrate the capabilities of the jet fighter, as Göring taunted him to "prove what you've always said about the 262's great potential."[2] Additionally, Göring saw this as a way of possibly disposing of Galland and fellow members of the Fighter Pilot's Revolt, rather than forcing their suicides, which had been overruled by Hitler.[2]

JV 44 comprised a core of experienced pilots (Experten) chosen from Galland's former staff or recruited from units which had been disbanded or were being re-equipped. JV 44 performed well during its brief history, achieving a 4-to-1 kill ratio. However, it had relatively few operational jet planes available for any single sortie and was repeatedly forced to relocate due to the approach of Allied ground forces. Its complement included 50 pilots and 25 airplanes.

Galland was injured on 26 April after attacking B-26 bombers, and Heinrich Bär assumed command of the unit. As the German surrender approached, Galland disbanded the unit, releasing any pilots willing to leave, and lead the rest to the American occupation zone.[3] This "whole-unit" defection was a major part of Operation LUSTY, as the Americans gained a wealth of knowledge about jet technology (similar to Operation Paperclip).

Many JV-44 pilots went on to fly for the Bundesluftwaffe post-war, and formed the backbone of the establishment of the Bundeswehr.

Notable pilots

[edit]

JV-44 was renowned among the late-war Luftwaffe for being a "Squadron of Experts," as many aces transferred to the unit in the final months of the war. A (false) rumor was even started to the effect that having the Knight's Cross was a prerequisite to joining the unit.[4] Some of the most notable pilots were:

References

[edit]

Cittions

[edit]
  1. ^ Forsyth 2008.
  2. ^ a b Makos & Alexander 2012, p. 283.
  3. ^ Makos & Alexander 2012, pp. 338–339.
  4. ^ Makos & Alexander 2012, p. 298.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Forsyth, Robert (2008). Jagdverband 44 Squadron of Experten. Aviation Elite Units. Vol. 27. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-294-3. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  • Makos, Adam; Alexander, Larry (2012). A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II (1st ed.). New York: Berkley Caliber. ISBN 978-0-425-25286-4.

Further reading

[edit]
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