Paul -
II./NJG 4 (ex-II./ZG 26)
Did this unit become operational immediately upon re-designation in April 1942, or sometime later? The Bewegungsmeldungen report the first non-operational loss in July 1942, but I have used this source to check other units and have made serious mistakes, so I would like to check my reasoning this time round.
Comment: My notes state that Stab II./NJG 4 and 4. Staffel/NJG 4 were disbanded in April 1942, 6. Staffel/NJG 4 was renamed 6./ZG 26. II./NJG 4 was then immediately re-established as a full Gruppe using cadre personnel from 5./NJG 4 plus new personnel and aircraft. It’s first mention in the Gen.Qu.(6.Abt.) Verlustmeldungen is 26 Jul 42 when a 4. Staffel Bf 110 E-1 crashed near Luxembourg killing the pilot. An educated guess would be that the Gruppe was “in formation” until late July or August. The first combat loss, according to the Verlustmeldungen, was on 24 Oct 42 when a Bf 110 D-3 was shot up in France (Neufchâteau) and damaged 70%.
I./NJG 5 (ex-II./ZG 2)
Same question as above, was this unit operational immediately upon re-equipment in October 1942?
Comment: I have it at Stendal from Sep 42 and not becoming operational there until early Feb 43. The only entry in the Verlustmeldungen during that period is for 3 Nov 42 when a 3. Staffel Bf 110 E-3 crashed near Stendal and burned out with the crew of 2 being killed. The pilot was Oblt. Kurt Martineck. It seems very likely then that it was non-operational and engaged in re-equipping, work-up and training from Sep 42 to Feb 43.
I./ZG 1
A look at Don Caldwell’s War Diary suggests this unit was off operations, or at least not intercepting raids by the Eighth Air Force, until 2 October 1943. This suggestion is reinforced by the fact that the Bewegungsmeldungen report the unit was accumulating Bf 110Gs from other units in August-September 1943, but not suffering combat losses. Is this correct?
Comment: I have no argument with that. According to my notes, I./ZG 1 had no combat-related losses between 25 July 1943 and 8 October 1943. There were some taxiing accidents, a belly landing and a mid-air collision during that period, however.
Let me know if you need anything else.
L.
