[Kapper]

Yes I meant Johannes 'Macki' Steinhoff.

I have the following:
Steinhoff was Staffelkapitan of 10(N)/JG26 at the start of the War
Feb 40 10(N)/JG26 became 11(N)/JG2 when IV(N)/JG2 was formed
Jun 40 11(N)/JG2 became 5/NJG1 as IV(N)/JG2 became II/NJG1
Jul 40 5/NJG1 became 8/NJG1 as II/NJG1 became III/NJG1

It appears that Steinhoff left NJG1 sometime around Jul/Aug 40 to become Staffelkapitan 4/JG52 in August 1940

It is all a bit confusing and I put this together from several sources. Sorry I cannot quote the sources as I only have the notes that are stored on my computer with me. However, I can confirm one source is Preins JFV series as can be seen from the claims list below.

18.12.39 Oblt. Johannes Steinhoff: 1 10.(N)/JG 26 Wellington £ 25-35 km. S.S.W. Helgoland 14.30 OKL+JFV d.Dt.Lw. II - 1
18.12.39 Oblt. Johannes Steinhoff: 2 10.(N)/JG 26 Wellington £ 25-35 km. S.S.W Helgoland 14.35 OKL+JFV d.Dt.Lw. II – 5
10.05.40 Oblt. Johannes Steinhoff: 3 11.(N)/JG 2 Blenheim £ Düsseldorf - OKL+JFV d.Dt.Lw. 3 – 4
10.05.40 Oblt. Johannes Steinhoff: 4 11.(N)/JG 2 Blenheim £ Den Haag - OKL+JFV d.Dt.Lw. 3 - 5


30.09.40 Oblt. Johannes Steinhoff: 5 4./JG 52 Spitfire £ Dorking 13.45 OKL+JFV d.Dt.Lw. 4/I - 38B

14.02.41 Oblt. Johannes Steinhoff: 6 4./JG 52 Spitfire £ 30 km. N. Dungeness: no height 13.00 Film C. 2033/I Anerk: Nr. – 47
19.05.41 Oblt. Johannes Steinhoff: 7 4./JG 52 Spitfire £ nördlich Dover 12.40 OKL+JFV d.Dt.Lw. 4/II - 54B
19.05.41 Oblt. Johannes Steinhoff: 8 4./JG 52 Spitfire £ nördlich Dover 12.45 OKL+JFV d.Dt.Lw. 4/II - 57B

Information on who was with NJG1 on formation was confusing with pilots transfering in and out, so I can only assume it was unpopular for the traditional fighter pilots, with many transferring out to fill the losses during the Battle of Britain. This period between February and August 1940 has always been a bit light on information as to what happened to Steinhoff.

I also have during this period, Erwin Bacsila as Staffelkapitan of 10(N)/JG2 but the signature is definitely not his. 10(N)/JG2 later became 4/NJG1 then 7/NJG1) and Bacsila also left NJG1 to eventually become Staffelkapitan of 7/JG52 in early Aug 1940, so maybe the designations of 10(N)/JG2 and 10(N)/JG26 to 10 & 11(N)/JG2 was the other way around when IV(N)/JG2 was formed?? mybe 10(N)/JG26 was the more senior Staffel? It all seems unlikely but possible in light of the signature in your document.

All open for further debate

Regards,

Craig...