[Larry deZeng]

Hi Paul -

This should fill in most of the unknowns and gaps:

I./ZG 26 – Withdrawn from the Eastern Front in October 1941, disbanded in Germany in April 1942.
- Ordered to transfer from Smolensk in Rußland Mitte to the Reich on 18 Oct 41 to rest and refit. At Kitzingen until it transferred to Jessau/East Prussia on 30 Dec 41 where it was disbanded a few days later and its assets used to form I./NJG 4. I./ZG 26 never returned to Russia. Re-established at Bad Lippspringe on 13 Oct 43 and operated over the Reich until it was renamed I./JG 6 at Prowehren on 4 Sep 44.

II./ZG 26 – same as I./ZG 26.
- Returned to the Reich from Dugino airfield in Rußland Mitte for a long overdue rest and refit. In early Apr 42 it was re-designated II./NJG 4 at Laupheim/S Germany. I./ZG 26 never returned to Russia. Re-established at Hildesheim on 13 Oct 43 and operated over the Reich until it was renamed II./JG 6 at Hildesheim on 4 Sep 44.

III./ZG 1 – Withdrawn in June (or possibly July?) 1942, operational in North Africa from November (or October?) 1942.
- Ordered to transfer from Taganrog/Rußland Süd to the Mediterranean theater on 15 Aug 42. Arrived at El Daba/Libya on 25 Aug 42 on transfer from South Russia. Operated in North Africa until 29 Oct 42 when it turned over all of its remaining assets to I./Schlachtgeschwader 2.

I./ZG 2 – Withdrawn in June (or possibly August?) 1942, disbanded in August 1942.
- Ordered to transfer from Barvenkovo/Rußland Süd to the Reich in mid-August 1942. At Wiener-Neustadt on 30 Sep 42. ZG 2 ordered disbanded on 3 Oct 42. I./ZG 2 renamed III./ZG 1 at Foggia/Italy on 29 Oct 42.

II./ZG 2 – Withdrawn in July 1942, operational in Germany from November (or October?) 1942 as I./NJG 5.
- At Kuteinikovo airfield/S Russia in mid-Aug 42 where it was ordered to turn over all remaining Bf 110s to elements of ZG 1 and transfer without aircraft to Wiener-Neustadt. Equipped with new Bf 110s at the Wiener-Neustadt Messerschmitt plant during Sep 42. Renamed I./NJG 5 on 3 Oct 42.

III./ZG 2 – Withdrawn in July 1942, operational in Tunisia from November (or December?) 1942.
- Ordered to transfer by train from Rußland Mitte without aircraft to Augsburg during the second half of July 1942 to begin conversion to the Fw 190. Conversion and work-up in Germany and France to early November 1942. Alerted 10 Nov 42 for immediate transfer to the Mediterranean theater via Comiso/Sicily (11-12 Nov) and then to Bizerte – Sidi Ahmed on 15 Nov 42. Renamed III./SKG 10 at Bizerte – Sidi Ahmed o/a 14 or 15 Dec 42.

II./ZG 1 – Withdrawn in March 1943, operational in Italy from April 1943.
- Transferred from Bryansk/Rußland Mitte to Brünn (Brno)/Czech. to rest and refit on 22 Mar 42. Moved from Brünn to Lechfeld/S Germany on 30 Apr 42. Transferred from Lechfeld to Belgorod II airfield/S Russia on 1 Jun 42 for operations under Luftflotte 4. Ordered to transfer from Poltava/S Russia to München-Neubiberg for a brief rest and refit on 23 Mar 43. Ordered from M-Neubiberg to Trapani/Sicily at the beginning of April with the transfer completed o/a 12 April. Remained in Italy to 1 Aug 43 and then moved to Kerlin-Bastard airfield near Lorient/W France.

I./ZG 1 – Withdrawn in May (or April?) 1943, operational in Germany from June 1943.
- Transferred from Ledna/Ost airfield near Orel in Rußland Mitte on 27 Jul 43 for reassignment to Luftwaffen-Befehlshaber Mitte for air defense operations over the Reich. Renamed I./ZG 26 at Bad Lippspringe on 13 Oct 43.

I can provide footnote sources for virtually all of these entries should you need them.

Hope this helps!

Larry