Jagdverband 44
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.[1]
Jagdverband 44 | |
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![]() Unit insignia | |
Active | March 1945 – May 1945 |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Type | Fighter Aircraft |
Role | Bomber destroyer |
Garrison/HQ | Ainring |
Engagements | Defense of the Reich |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Adolf Galland Heinz Bär |
Aircraft flown | |
Fighter | Me 262, Fw 190D |
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.
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 and Heinrich Bär assumed command.
- Drawing of Leutnant Heinz Sachsenberg's Fw 190 D-9 from JV 44. The Fw 190Ds provided top cover for the Me 262, which lacked acceleration at low speeds, making it vulnerable to attack during takeoff and landing.
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Forsyth, Robert (2008). Jagdverband 44 : Squadron of Experten. Aviation Elite Units 28. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-294-3. Retrieved 27 November 2017.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
Further reading
- Forsyth, Robert (1996). JV 44: the Galland circus. Burgess Hill: Classic Publications. ISBN 0952686708. Retrieved 24 February 2018.