Fighter Squadron 53
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Fighter Squadron 53 |
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|---|---|
 Squadron badge |
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| active | May 1, 1939 to the end of April 1945 |
| Country |
.svg){kind=small} German Empire
|
| Armed forces | Wehrmacht |
| Armed forces | air force |
| Branch of service | Air force |
| Type | Jagdgeschwader |
| structure | Squadron staff and 4 groups |
| Insinuation | mainly air fleet 3 |
| Installation site | Wiesbaden-Erbenheim |
| Nickname | Ace of Spades |
| Aircraft type | Bf 109 versions E to K |
| Second World War |
Western campaign Battle of Britain Balkan campaign Eastern front |
| Squadron commodors | |
| First commodore | Werner Junck Lieutenant Colonel |
| Last commodore | H. Bennemann Lieutenant Colonel |
The Jagdgeschwader 53 was an association of the German Air Force in World War II . It was created on May 1, 1939 when Jagdgeschwader 133 was renamed. The unit's standard aircraft was the Bf 109 . At a suggestion from squadron commodore Hans Klein , the squadron received only one squadron badge, the Ace of Spades, instead of many individual group and squadron badges. The most famous members of this unit were Werner Mölders and Franz von Werra .
history
List from JG 334 and JG 133 in May 1939
Under Lieutenant Colonel Werner Junck ( inspector of the fighter pilots ), the staff of Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53) in Wiesbaden-Erbenheim was established on May 1, 1939 by renaming the staff of Jagdgeschwader 133. This was created on November 1, 1938 from Jagdgeschwader 334, that on March 15, 1937 with the staff and the I. to III. Group was set up at the Mannheim-Sandhofen Air Base and was equipped with the Arado Ar 68E . The staff of JG 53 was equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-3 and was subordinate to Luftflotte 3 (Munich) and Luftgaukommando XII (Wiesbaden). On December 19, 1939, the staff was subordinated to JaFü 3 (Jagdfliegerführer 3).
The I. Group of Jagdgeschwader 53 was created on May 1st, 1939 in Wiesbaden-Erbenheim by renaming the I. Group of Jagdgeschwader 133. The group was equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1 and E-3. The group's task was to monitor the German-French border between Trier and Saarbrücken . In September 1939, the group gave staff in the strength of a squadron for the formation of the III. Group / JG 53, which was replaced by reassignments. The group was also moved to Kirchberg . Towards the end of the year, it was relocated to the second order port in Darmstadt-Griesheim .
Group II of Jagdgeschwader 53 was created on May 1, 1939 in Mannheim-Sandhofen when the II. Group of Jagdgeschwader 133 was renamed. The group was equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1 and E-3. The 10th (N) / JG 72 was assigned to the group. In September 1939, the group gave staff in the strength of a squadron for the formation of the III. Group / JG 53, which was replaced by reassignments.
The III. Group of Jagdgeschwader 53 was set up by order of September 8, 1939 with immediate effect at the Wiesbaden-Erbenheim air base from charges of Group I and Group II / JG 53. On September 8th, the 7th and 8th squadrons were set up, followed by the setting up of the group staff and the 9th squadron on November 1st. From October 10th, the group was then used for hunting protection.
In October 1940, a supplementary squadron for the Fighter Wing 53 was set up in Fontenet. The task of the squadron was the final training of the flight students coming from the pilot schools under realistic front-line conditions. As early as November 20, 1940, the squadron was expanded to a supplementary hunting group with a group staff and two squadrons. The 1st season was reorganized as a deployment season, while the supplementary season became the 2nd school season. After the squadron was moved back home, the 1st Squadron moved to Dieppe to take over the hunting protection of the coast.
On October 20, 1944, the fourth group of Jagdgeschwader 53 was set up in Hüfingen . For this purpose the III. Group / JG 76 renamed to IV. Group / JG 53. The group consisting of four squadrons was equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G. Due to the composition of former destroyer pilots and very young replacement pilots, the group was initially not operational and only flew training missions until December. On December 3rd, the group was relocated to Echterdingen near Stuttgart, where it remained until the end of the year. In addition, the first Messerschmitt Bf 109 K was assigned to her here.
I./JG 53
- Western campaign in 1940
On June 22nd, the group ended the campaign in the west with their relocation to Rennes. In total, the group was able to win 60 aerial victories during the western campaign. Own losses amounted to two fallen, three captured and six wounded pilots and 14 aircraft.
- English Channel 1940
During their mission on the canal, the group achieved 58 aerial victories. The own losses amounted to eleven fallen, eleven captive pilots, three wounded and 28 aircraft.
- Eastern campaign in 1941
During their deployment in the east, the group achieved 135 aerial victories. The own losses amounted to three fallen, one captive pilot, six wounded and 13 aircraft.
- Holland 1941
At the beginning of December 1941, the floor parts moved to Sicily, while the flying parts followed on December 15. During their mission in Holland, the group was able to achieve two aerial victories. The own losses amounted to a fallen man (group commander Captain Franz von Werra) and two wounded and three aircraft.
- Malta 1941
On December 15, the group reached Gela in Sicily, where they were placed under the staff of Jagdgeschwader 53. By the end of the year, the group had won seven aerial victories over Malta. Own losses amounted to two dead and three planes.
- Malta 1942
During their deployment against Malta, the group was able to achieve twelve aerial victories from the beginning of the year. The own losses amounted to two fallen, one captured pilot and two wounded and twelve aircraft.
- Mediterranean 1942
By the end of the year, the group had achieved 28 aerial victories in its second mission in the Mediterranean region. The own losses amounted to seven dead, two wounded and 13 aircraft.
- Mediterranean 1943
During their deployment in the Mediterranean, the group was able to win 127 aerial victories. The own losses amounted to 48 fallen, nine captured pilots, 25 wounded and 161 aircraft.
II./JG 53
- Western campaign in 1940
During the western campaign, the group was able to win 19 aerial victories. The own losses amounted to two fallen and three wounded pilots. A captive pilot returned to the group after the fighting ended. The group also lost ten planes.
- English Channel 1940
During their deployment on the canal, from Berck-sur-Mer for a long time , the group achieved 76 aerial victories. The own losses amounted to 14 fallen, nine captive pilots and six wounded. The group also lost 37 aircraft.
- Eastern campaign in 1941
The group achieved 184 aerial victories in the east from June 22nd. The own losses amounted to six dead and six wounded and 16 aircraft.
- Malta 1941
On December 15th, the group arrived in Comiso, Sicily. In December, the group began their operations against Malta. By the end of the year, the group was able to achieve eight aerial victories. The own losses amounted to two dead, one wounded and two planes.
- Mediterranean 1941
On December 11th, this section of the group ended with the transfer to the Mediterranean. During their deployment in the west, the group was able to achieve a total of nine aerial victories. The own losses amounted to two dead and one wounded and three aircraft.
- Mediterranean 1942
During 1942, the group won 150 aerial victories in the Mediterranean. The own losses amounted to 20 fallen pilots, seven captured pilots and ten wounded as well as 59 aircraft.
- Mediterranean 1943
During 1943, the group was able to win 148 aerial victories in the Mediterranean. The own losses amounted to 34 dead, 32 wounded and 111 aircraft.
- Vienna-Seyring 1943
By the end of the year, the Vienna-Seyring group had two aerial victories. The own losses amounted to two dead, two wounded and five aircraft.
III./JG 53
- Western campaign in 1940
During the western campaign, the group was able to achieve 99 kills. The own losses amounted to three fallen and three captured pilots, including the group commander, Captain Werner Mölders. All three returned to the group after the fighting ended. The group also lost eight aircraft.
- English Channel 1940
During the mission on the canal, the group was able to achieve 86 aerial victories. The company's own losses amounted to 13 fallen, eight captured, one wounded pilot and 34 aircraft. It was in Le Touquet , among other places .
- Eastern campaign in 1941
As of June 22, the group had won 373 aerial victories in the east. The own losses amounted to four fallen, one captive pilot and twelve wounded. The group also lost 27 aircraft.
- North Africa 1941
During their brief deployment in North Africa, the group achieved 16 aerial victories. Their own losses amounted to two fallen pilots, one captured, two wounded and eight aircraft, as well as all material that had been transported to Africa.
- Mediterranean 1943
During 1943 the group won 221 aerial victories in the Mediterranean. The company's own losses amounted to 33 fallen, two captured pilots, 46 wounded and 110 aircraft.
10. (Jabo) / JG 53
- North Africa 1942
On September 1, the squadron retired from the Association of Jagdgeschwader 53 and was transferred to Jagdgruppe Afrika. Up to this point, the squadron had four fallen, two captive pilots, two wounded and 15 aircraft to mourn.
Dissolution in 1945
The I. Group of Jagdgeschwader 53 was in Veszprém in western Hungary near Lake Balaton at the beginning of 1945 . At that time, the group's operational area was in the Budapest and Stuhlweissenburg area , from the middle of the month northeast of the Balaton and the Gran . On April 2, the group was moved to Deutsch-Wagram , on April 4 to Brno and on April 17 to Hörsching , where they disbanded on the same day. The group gave the remaining machines to the II. Group / JG 52 . The personnel were deployed on the ground, and parts of Group II / JG 52 were also taken over.
The 2nd group of Jagdgeschwader 53 was in Malmsheim at the beginning of 1945 , the 6th squadron in Huchenfeld . As part of the Reich Air Defense, the group was equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G and the Messerschmitt Bf 109 K. As part of the Bodenplatte company , the German air offensive against allied airfields in Belgium and northern France, the group attacked the allied airfield in Metz-Frescaty on January 1, 1945 . During this mission, the group had to complain about two dead, two missing, one wounded and three captive pilots, and the group also lost nine aircraft. On March 28th, the 6th season returned to Malmsheim. On April 1, the group had to move to Ulm / Rississen in front of the approaching front and to Schongau on April 21 , where it was disbanded on April 30.
The III. Group of Jagdgeschwader 53 was in Kirrlach at the beginning of 1945 . The group was equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G and the Messerschmitt Bf 109 K. As part of the Bodenplatte company, the group attacked the Allied airfield Étain on January 1, 1945 , about 45 km northwest of Metz . During this mission the group had to complain about two wounded, and the group also lost ten aircraft. On March 23, she was transferred to Nellingen on the Fildern and on March 26 to Neuhausen ob Eck. To avoid the approaching front, the group was transferred to Fürstenfeldbruck on April 7, to the Klein-Karolinenfeld area on April 13, and to Prien am Chiemsee on May 1 , where they remained until the end of the war.
The IV. Group of Jagdgeschwader 53 was in Echterdingen near Stuttgart at the beginning of 1945. As part of the Bodenplatte company, the group attacked the Allied airfield Metz-Frescaty on January 1, 1945. During this operation, the group had to complain about one wounded and two captive pilots, and the group lost nine aircraft. On March 1, 1945, the 16th season was disbanded. In the course of the approaching front line, the group had to move to Reichenbach on April 2nd and to Ketterschwang on April 22nd . On April 27, the group was finally transferred to Holzkirchen , where it was disbanded on April 30.
At the beginning of 1945, the headquarters of Jagdgeschwader 53 was in Echterdingen near Stuttgart. Equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G and the Messerschmitt Bf 109 K, it was used as part of the Reich air defense. On April 2, 1945, he had to evade the approaching front to Erbenschwang, where he disbanded at the end of April.
Commanders
Squadron commodors
| No. | Surname | Beginning of the appointment | End of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lieutenant Colonel Werner Junck | May 1, 1939 | September 30, 1939 |
| 2 | Colonel Hans Klein | October 1, 1939 | December 31, 1939 |
| 3 | Lieutenant Colonel Hans-Jürgen von Cramon-Taubadel | January 1, 1940 | September 30, 1940 |
| 4th | Lieutenant Colonel Günther Freiherr von Maltzahn | October 9, 1940 | October 4, 1943 |
| 5 | Major Gerhard Michalski i. V. | June 1943 | |
| 6th | Major Gerhard Michalski i. V. | August 1943 | September 1943 |
| 7th | Major Friedrich-Karl Müller i. V. | October 1943 | October 1943 |
| 8th | Major Kurt Ubben i. V. | October 1943 | November 9, 1943 |
| 9 | Lieutenant Colonel Helmut Bennemann | November 9, 1943 | April 27, 1945 |
Group commanders
- I. group
- Captain Lothar von Janson, May 1, 1939
- Captain Albert Blumensaat, July 1, 1940
- Captain Hans-Karl Mayer, September 1, 1940
- Captain Hans-Heinrich Brustellin, October 1940
- First Lieutenant Dr. Winfried Balfanz, June 1, 1941
- Captain Franz von Werra , July 1941
- Captain Ignaz Prestele (deputy), August 1941
- Major Herbert Kaminski, November 1, 1941
- Captain Walter Spies, August 1942
- Captain Friedrich-Karl Müller, November 1942
- Major Jürgen Harder, February 15, 1944
- Captain Wolfgang Ernst (deputy), January 1945
- Captain Erich Hartmann (deputy), February 1945
- Captain Helmut Lipfert , February 15, 1945 - April 17, 1945
- II group
- Major Hubert Merhart von Bernegg, May 1, 1939
- Major Freiherr von Maltzahn, August 19, 1939
- Captain Heinz Bretnütz, October 9, 1940
- Captain Walter Spies, June 1941
- Captain Gerhard Michalski, July 1942
- Captain Hans-Jürgen Westphal (deputy), June 19, 1943 -
- Major Karl-Heinz Schnell (deputy), July 1943
- Major Julius Meimberg , April 24, 1944
- III. group
- Captain Werner Mölders , November 1, 1939
- Captain Rolf Pingel (deputy), June 5, 1940
- Captain Harro Harder, July 1940
- Captain Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke , August 13, 1940
- Major Erich Gerlitz, May 1942
- Captain Franz Götz, October 1942
- Captain Siegfried Luckenbach, January 18, 1945
- Captain Wolfgang Ernst (deputy), April 1945
- IV. Group
- Captain Hans Morr, October 25, 1944
- Captain Friedrich Müer, October 1944
- Captain Alfred Hammer, January 9, 1945
- Supplementary group
- Captain Hubert Kroeck, November 1940
Known squadron members
- Ernst-Dieter Bernhard (* 1924 † June 26, 2017) was Deputy Commander of the Allied Air Forces Central Europe from 1976 and German Military Representative in the NATO Military Committee from 1980 to 1984
- Julius Meimberg (1917–2012) was an inventor in the textile industry
literature
- The Air Force (flying formations). Flak deployment in the Reich 1943–1945. In: Georg Tessin : Associations and troops of the German Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS in the Second World War 1939–1945. Volume 14: The Land Forces. Name associations. Biblio-Verlag, Bissendorf 1980, ISBN 3-7648-1111-0 .
- Wolfgang Dierich (Hrsg.): The associations of the air force. 1935-1945. Outlines and short chronicles. A documentation. Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 1976, ISBN 3-87943-437-9 .
- Jochen Prien, Gerhard Stemmer, Peter Rodeike, Winfried Bock: The fighter pilot associations of the German Air Force 1934 to 1945. Several volumes.
- Jochen Prien: Ace of Spades. History of the Jagdgeschwader 53. 3 volumes. Flugzeug-Publikations, Illertissen 1989–1991;
- Volume 1: Composition of the squadron, pre-war period, seated war, French campaign, deployment against England, Russian campaign, Holland, deployment against Malta, March 1937 - May 1942. 1989, ISBN 3-927132-01-2 ;
- Volume 2: To Stalingrad and El Alamein, Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, May 1942 to January 1944. 1990, ISBN 3-923457-14-6 ;
- Volume 3: The End in Italy 1944, Romania - Hungary 1944/45, Deployment to Defend the Reich 1943 - 1945. 1991, ISBN 3-923457-16-2 .
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ John Weal: Jagdgeschwader 53 "Pik As" (= Aviation Elite Units. Vol. 25). Osprey, Oxford et al. 2007, ISBN 978-1-8460-3204-2 , p. 15, online .
- ^ John Weal: Jagdgeschwader 53 "Pik As" (= Aviation Elite Units. Vol. 25). Osprey, Oxford et al. 2007, ISBN 978-1-8460-3204-2 , p. 6, online .
- ↑ Ursula Eckstein: August Euler Airfield Darmstadt. Justus von Liebig Verlag, Darmstadt 2008, p. 220.