Trying to nail down original Gruppentab positions for III./ZG26 circa 03.40

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

I'm trying to sort out the original Gruppenstab positions for III./ZG26 from the time when the unit converted from the Bf109D-1 (renamed from I./JGr126) to the Bf110C-2 circa Feb - March, 1940.

We know from the new Stab III./ZG26 EKM Nos issued in March, 1940, that Hptm Johann Schalk was GrKdr (EKM #1), and Oblt Hans Barschel, was the Gr Adj (EKM #2). Presumably the other Staff positions at that time were #3 EKM Theodor Rossiwall (who soon transferred to St Kap of 6 and then 5./ZG26), #4 EKM Richard Prang (who apparently later became Gr Adj), and #5 EKM Lt Joachim Junghans. Apparently Oblt Ernst Matthes (later with 7./ZG26), Lt Botho Sommer and Oblt George Christl also joined the Gruppenstab sometime within the next few weeks, with Sommer taking over the N.O. slot at some point before the BoB. Schalk, Barschel, Matthes and Junghans all scored victories with the unit in the opening days of the Western Campaign during mid-May 1940, suggesting that the original Stab "team" may have been Schalk, Barschel, Matthes and Junghans, although the Stab positions of the latter two are unclear.

I'm trying to determine who was the Staff Major (not always a flying officer), Gr T.O., N.O., and Chef of the Stabs Company. Can anyone place any of these people besides Schalk and Barschel in their correct Stab slots during the early weeks flying the Bf110 just before and through the beginning of the Western Campaign?

Thanx for your help.