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

{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=''Jagdverband'' 44
| unit_name = ''Jagdverband'' 44
|image=[[File:Jagdverband 44.svg|100px]]
| image = Jagdverband 44.svg
| image_size = 100px
|caption=Unit insignia
| 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=
| size =
|command_structure=
| command_structure =
|base=[[Ainring]]
| garrison = [[Ainring]]
|nickname=
| 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 190D]]
| aircraft_fighter = [[Messerschmitt Me 262|Me 262]], [[Focke-Wulf Fw 190|Fw 190D]]
}}
}}


'''''Jagdverband'' 44 (JV 44)''' was a German air 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}}
'''''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 [[Fighter Pilots' Revolt|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. Its complement included 50 pilots and 25 airplanes.
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]]).

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]].

== Notable pilots ==
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
* [[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]].


==References==
==References==

⚫
{{Reflist}}
===Cittions===
*{{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}}
⚫
{{Reflist|25em}}

===Bibliography===
* {{Cite book
|last=Forsyth
|first=Robert
|year=2008
|title=Jagdverband 44 Squadron of Experten
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y1ibCwAAQBAJ
|access-date=27 November 2017
|series=Aviation Elite Units
|volume=27
|location=Oxford, UK
|publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]]
|isbn=978-1-84603-294-3
}}
* {{cite book
|last1=Makos
|first1=Adam
|last2=Alexander
|first2=Larry
|date=2012
|title=[[A Higher Call]]: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II
|edition= 1st
|publisher=Berkley Caliber
|location=New York
|isbn=978-0-425-25286-4
}}

== Further reading ==
*{{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}}

{{Jagdgeschwader of the Luftwaffe}}


[[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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