[Richard T. Eger]

Dear Ed and Norbert,

Thanks for your input. I've also contacted Robert Forsyth, author of JV 44, independently. One of the hinge words here is "geschlossen", a verb describing Galland's status. At this point, Galland was without portfolio or, even worse, possibly under indictment. The date of the document, as I mentioned, is 10.2.45, so I'm not exactly sure of his status at the time. The use of the word may also have been done in distain or disgust. It is hard to say.

I've attempted to reconstruct the statement to get a clearer meaning and context flow:

"1.) By order to organize IV./JG 54 into an Me 262 - Jagdgruppe (II./JG 7), 4. Staffel is released to Gen.Lt. Galland, currently without standing, to organize and establish a Jagdstaffel of Me 262's under his leadership to provide as part of JG 7."

Comments?

Regards,
Richard