Defending the skies of the Reich. 1939-1940.

[John Hilly]

Me Bf 109E-3 (chevron - W. Nr. 1380) du Stab JG 1

One chevron meant a "Staffelkapitän", with 12 planes, or have I forgot the tactical symbols of the Luftwaffe?

With best
Juha-Pekka

[tigre]

Hello to all ; something more.........................

The Jagdgeschwader 1 in air combat of the German Bight.

Now, Carl Schumacher was the "Deutsche Bucht Jagdfliegerführer" or Jafü (Aerial commander in the German Bight) and was provided with about 100 aircraft in the following units:

• II. / JG 77 led by Maj. Hilmer v. Bülow-Bothkamp on the Isle of Wangerooge.
• II. / TrGr 186 commanded by Hauptmann Heinrich Seeliger in the airfield of Nordholz near Cuxhaven.
• 10. (Nacht). / JG 26 under command of Oberleutnant Johannes Steinhoff, Jever.
• I. / ZG 76 under command of Hauptmann Günther Reinecke.
• JGr. 101 under command of Maj. Hellmuth Reichardt, a squadron in Westerland /Sylt, two in Neumünster.

Fuentes: Der unsichtbare feind. P. Paud. Der Landser 1052.
Der Adler Nº 1 1940.
Jagdgeschwader 26 Schlageter. Vol 1. K. Janowicz.
Luftwaffe Fighter Claims 1939-1940. BA-MA.
Der Adler 21 – Noviembre de 1939.
http://falkeeins.blogspot.com/2010/04/me110.html
Bf 109D/E Aces 1939-41. John Weal.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[eppanzer]

Which units "defended the sky" of the East Prussia?

[tigre]

Hello eppanzer ; here goes something about it.....................

As Sep 01 1939.

Luftwaffenkommando Ostpreußen (Generalleutnant Wimmer).

Luftwaffen-Lehrdivision (Generalmajor Förster).

I.(Z)/ LG 1 33 Bf-110C Jesau (Maj. Grabmann.

Luftgau-Kommando I (Generalmajor Mußhoff).

I./ JG 1 46 Bf-109E Gutenfeld (Maj. Woldenga).
I./ JG 21 39 Bf-109D Gutenfeld (Hptm Mettig).

As May 10 1940.

Luftflottenkommando 1 Berlín (General d. Flieger Wimmer).

Westa 1 3 He-111J Jesau (Oblt Kater).

Luftgau-Kommando I Königsberg (Generalmajor Süßmann).

Without aerial units.

Source: Der Luftkrieg in Europa. 1939-1941. Ulf Balke.
Der Adler Nº 18 1939.

Hope be useful. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; something more.........................

The Jagdgeschwader 1 in air combat of the German Bight.

Leutnant Hermann Diehl even could not convince the Commander of the II. / JG 77 Maj v. Bülow-Bothkamp deployed with his group in the same island as the radar, but 20 minutes later the naval Freya radar also detected the formation and this information was corroborated by aerial observers located on the ground, although exaggerating a bit their numbers because they reported 44 aircraft.

The attacker flight.

The British bombers were flying as following:

Formation 1
Section 1: 1 Richard Kellett 2 Turner 3 Speirs
Section 2: 4 Kelly 5 Riddlesworth 6 Duguid
Formation 2
Section 1: 7 Harris 8 Bolloch 9 Briden
Section 2: 10 Grant 11 Purdy 12 Ramshaw
Formation 3
Section 1: 14 Petts 13 Gutherie 15 McRae
Section 2: 16 Allison 17 Challes 18 Lines
Formation 4
19 Hue-Williams 20 Lemon 21 Wimberley 22 Thompson 23 Lewis 24 Ruse

Fuentes: Der unsichtbare feind. P. Paud. Der Landser 1052.
Der Adler Nº 1 1940.
Jagdgeschwader 26 Schlageter. Vol 1. K. Janowicz.
Luftwaffe Fighter Claims 1939-1940. BA-MA.
Der Adler 21 – Noviembre de 1939.
http://falkeeins.blogspot.com/2010/04/me110.html
Bf 109D/E Aces 1939-41. John Weal.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; something more.........................

The Jagdgeschwader 1 in air combat of the German Bight.

For the bombing of December 18, 1939, 3rd Bomb Group of the RAF engaged 24 Wellingtons belonging to Squadrons No. 9, 37 and 149 (2 of them returned to its base - one with mechanical problems and another escorting to the first one). The formation, gathered quickly and without having carried out training flights and even bombing training together, it was placed under the command of Wing Commander Richard Kellet. The bombers had taken off at 09:27 hours and after reaching the limit Danish- German turned southward to attack from the east (unexpected direction).

Shortly after 13:00 hours the English formation flew over the low lands west of Cuxhaven ready to bomb from a height of 3000 meters to avoid the flak and receives fire from Flak positions 214, 244 and 264. Flying over Wilhelmshaven Flak positions 212, 222, 252, 262 and 272 opened fire and also from the battleships Scharnhorst, Gniesenau and other ships in the harbor. Only the section (3 planes) of Squadron Leader Paul Harris, of Sqn No. 149 was able to conduct the launch and 6 500-pound bombs fell without having appreciated its impact.

Sources: Der unsichtbare feind. P. Paud. Der Landser 1052.
Der Adler Nº 1 1940.
Jagdgeschwader 26 Schlageter. Vol 1. K. Janowicz.
Luftwaffe Fighter Claims 1939-1940. BA-MA.
Der Adler 21 – Noviembre de 1939.
http://falkeeins.blogspot.com/2010/04/me110.html
Bf 109D/E Aces 1939-41. John Weal.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; something more.........................

The Jagdgeschwader 1 in air combat of the German Bight.

Aerial combat.

According to the story of Oberleutnant Anton Pointner of 5. / JG 77 deployed in Wangerooge: on December 18, 1939 at 13:45 hours sounded the alarm; in the cockpit behind the engine already running, the pilot was sitting waiting for the warning shot, green, red or white depending on the squadron which was to take off. Seven minutes after triggering the alarm, all the squadrons had rolled down the runway, took off and then flew away from the island on the sea to Heligoland. Shortly after the order came over the radio that we should attack the enemy on the Jade Cove.

Sources: Der unsichtbare feind. P. Paud. Der Landser 1052.
Der Adler Nº 1 1940.
Jagdgeschwader 26 Schlageter. Vol 1. K. Janowicz.
Luftwaffe Fighter Claims 1939-1940. BA-MA.
Der Adler 21 – Noviembre de 1939.
http://falkeeins.blogspot.com/2010/04/me110.html
Bf 109D/E Aces 1939-41. John Weal.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; something more.........................

The Jagdgeschwader 1 in air combat of the German Bight.

Aerial combat.

Oberleutnant Pointner turned north with his Schwarm and rose to the same altitude as the enemy formation, "they were flying as the party's Day parade." I attacked the first of the right from behind some 200 meters, the defensive fire of its aft turret was ineffective. Soon the tracer found one of the engines, there was an explosion and the bomber fell into the gray waters; after 3 or 4 seconds the Wellington crashed and that was all, in my watch was the 14:20 hours. Oberleutnant Pointner claimed two bombers shot down.

At 13:30 hours took off also the 10 (N). / JG 26 and managed to intercept the bombers when the flak fire had ceased; Oberleutnant Steinhoff claimed two kills. The Geschwaderkommodore Schumacher was credited with the downing of a plane in this action.

Sources: Der unsichtbare feind. P. Paud. Der Landser 1052.
Der Adler Nº 1 1940.
Jagdgeschwader 26 Schlageter. Vol 1. K. Janowicz.
Luftwaffe Fighter Claims 1939-1940. BA-MA.
Der Adler 21 – Noviembre de 1939.
http://falkeeins.blogspot.com/2010/04/me110.html
Bf 109D/E Aces 1939-41. John Weal.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; something more.........................

The Jagdgeschwader 1 in air combat of the German Bight.

Aerial combat.

The JG 1 lost three Bf-109 in the day, with two pilots killed and one unharmed, Oberleutnant Johann Fuhrmann missed a first attack so he went a second time from the stern only to be shot down by crossed defensive fire; Fuhrmann fell to the bay and drowned before being rescued. Another loss was Leutnant Roman Stiegler who crashed into the sea with his Bf-109. Oberleutnant Dietrich Robitzsch of theJGr 101 (who was credited with a victory) destroyed his plane but without injuries for himself.

RAF losses were 12 aircraft, although the 34 claimed by the Luftwaffe.

Sources: Der unsichtbare feind. P. Paud. Der Landser 1052.
Der Adler Nº 1 1940.
Jagdgeschwader 26 Schlageter. Vol 1. K. Janowicz.
Luftwaffe Fighter Claims 1939-1940. BA-MA.
Der Adler 21 – Noviembre de 1939.
http://falkeeins.blogspot.com/2010/04/me110.html
Bf 109D/E Aces 1939-41. John Weal.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; something more.........................

The Jagdgeschwader 1 in air combat of the German Bight.

Aerial combat.

The Staffelkapitän of the 5. / JG 77 Hauptmann Alfred von Lojewski, who was credited with a victory in the actions of December 14, 1939 and wore the Spanish Golden Cross, for his part said that the knocking down of three enemy planes on the part of his squadron was very interesting and as said he was proud of his men.

Uffz. Erwin Heilmayer of 6. / JG 77 who is credited with the first downing at 13:58 hours, said: After the alarm I took off on my Bf-109 at 13:55 hours. I flew low over the water and saw the English against the sky clear. On Helgoland climbed to 3000 meters and then turned northwest, around 1000 meters I saw the formation of about 30 wellingtons. I rushed towards the enemy and attacked the bomber on the far right, which fired a puff of smoke, tilted hard to its right and fell in flames. I tried to pursue other but my engine gave up, it had been hit so I looked for the nearest airfield and landed there.

Sources: Der unsichtbare feind. P. Paud. Der Landser 1052.
Der Adler Nº 1 1940.
Jagdgeschwader 26 Schlageter. Vol 1. K. Janowicz.
Luftwaffe Fighter Claims 1939-1940. BA-MA.
Der Adler 21 – Noviembre de 1939.
http://falkeeins.blogspot.com/2010/04/me110.html
Bf 109D/E Aces 1939-41. John Weal.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; something more.........................

The Jagdgeschwader 1 in air combat of the German Bight.

Aerial combat.

Oberleutnant Jung of the 5. / JG 77: I took off and climbed to 4000 meters, following a curve in the direction of Borkum spotted the bursts of anti-aircraft shells on the Jade Cove and then 12 Wellington bombers flying in formation followed by other in flames. With my right hand on the stick and my thumbs stroking the trigger I rushed to the attack, over the roar of the engine it could be heard the shots of the two cannons and the rattle of machine guns. Then the bomber began to fall with one engine on fire.

Sources: Der unsichtbare feind. P. Paud. Der Landser 1052.
Der Adler Nº 1 1940.
Jagdgeschwader 26 Schlageter. Vol 1. K. Janowicz.
Luftwaffe Fighter Claims 1939-1940. BA-MA.
Der Adler 21 – Noviembre de 1939.
http://falkeeins.blogspot.com/2010/04/me110.html
Bf 109D/E Aces 1939-41. John Weal.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; something more.........................

The Jagdgeschwader 1 in air combat of the German Bight.

German claims on December 18, 1939.

Uffz. Erwin Heilmayer: 1 – 6./JG 77 Wellington – 25 km. S.W. Helgoland – 13.58
Oblt. Anton Pointner: 1 – 5./JG 77 Wellington – N. Spiekeroog – 14.20
Fw. Hans Troitzsch: 2 – 6./JG 77 Wellington – N. Langeoog – 14.22
Ltn. Georg Schirmböck: 1 – 6./JG 77 Wellington – N. Langeoog – 14.25
Oblt. Franz-Heinz Lange: 1 – 6./JG 77 Wellington – N. Langeoog – 14.25
Fw. Hans Troitzsch: nc. – 6./JG 77 Wellington – N. Langeoog – 14.28
Ltn. Winfried Schmidt:1 – 5./JG 77 Wellington – N. Langeoog – 14.30
Fw. Willi Szuggar: 1 - 10.(N)/JG 26 Wellington - 25-35 km. S.S.W. Helgoland - 14.30.
Oblt. Johannes Steinhoff: 1 - 10.(N)/JG 26 Wellington - 25-35 km S.S.W. Helgoland - 14.30.
Hptm. Wolfgang Falck - Stab I./ZG 76 Wellington - 20 km. S.W. Helgoland - 14.35

Sources: Der unsichtbare feind. P. Paud. Der Landser 1052.
Der Adler Nº 1 1940.
Jagdgeschwader 26 Schlageter. Vol 1. K. Janowicz.
Luftwaffe Fighter Claims 1939-1940. BA-MA.
Der Adler 21 – Noviembre de 1939.
http://falkeeins.blogspot.com/2010/04/me110.html
Bf 109D/E Aces 1939-41. John Weal.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[eppanzer]

Hello eppanzer ; here goes something about it.....................

As Sep 01 1939.

Luftwaffenkommando Ostpreußen (Generalleutnant Wimmer).

Thanks Raúl,

Did the Luftwaffenkommando Ostpreußen increase in power before the war started? O only the same units as in 1938?

[Tim Smith]

Hello to all ; something more.........................

Tigre:

Your photos are not of the correct period.

First picture is not a 1939 Bf 109E - that's a camoflage pattern from 1940. In 1939, Bf 109s were painted dark green, both top and sides, not just the top.

Second picture is not an RAF Wellington - markings are not British.

[tigre]

Hello to all ; eppanzer as per I./ JG 1 under Maj. Woldenga: it was the old I./ JG 131 established at Jesau on Mar 15 1937 with Bf-109D; on Nov 01 1938 it was renamed as I./ JG 130; then on May 1939 I./ JG 1.

As per the I./ JG 21 under Hptm Mettig: it was organized on Jul 15 1939 from personnel belonging to I./ JG 1. Till then the I./ JG 1 was the only figther group stationed in the isolated province of East Prussia.

As per the I.(Z)/ LG 1 under Maj. Grabmann: it was the old I (schw J)./ LG 1 renamed as I (Z)./ LG 1 and was stationed at Barth previously. Hence the Luftwaffenkommando Ostpreußen did increase its power before the war.

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /JG1-R.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... JG21-R.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /JG131.htm
Jagdwaffe. Blitzkrieg and Sitzkrieg. Poland and France 1939-40. Vol I, Section 3.

Tim: yes the picture showing the Bf-109 was published in Der Adler Nº 2 - 23 Jan 1940; as per the Wellignton it was published in Der Adler Nº 1 - 09 Jan 1940 so any idea about those markings?... a captured plane in trials perhaps?.....

Cheers. Raúl M .