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
Unit insignia
Active	March 1945 – May 1945
Country	Nazi Germany
Branch	Luftwaffe
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.