Seeking duty position on Geschwaderstab of JG3 of Oblt Willi Hopp, who was KiA 23.09.40 during the BoB

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

There were only three flight officers assigned to the Stab of JG3 during most of 1939 - 40:

These were the Gesch Kdre, Adjutant, and a third pilot, who was Major beim Stab, at least until 6 June 1940. This third officer was Major Theodor Quandt, a WW I ace who was SD and KiA on that day.

Does anyone know who succeeded Quandt? I have an Oblt. Willi Hopp, who was KIA over England on 23.09.40, who may have been that pilot, although he may not have been the immediate successor to Quandt. If he did succeed Quandt, did he still hold the duty position of Major beim Stab? Can anyone help me track that third duty position through the end of 1940?

I'm also seeking photos of aircraft serving on the Geschwaderstab of JG3 during 1939 and 1940.

I do have Jochen Prien's history volumes on JG 3.

Can anybody help?

[Larry Hickey]

Update,

Through a direct communication, I've learned that Oblt Hopp's service number (EKM) was issued by 3./JG77, so he was probably serving there in March, 1940, when the new EKM numbers were issued. So now the next step is to figure out when Hopp left 3./JG77 and moved to the JG 3 Geschwaderstab. Does anyone have any information that would help tell me when that happened? As far as I can tell, Hopp did not score any victories with either I./JG77 or IV./JG51, so these don't provide any indication. His LW Officers Career Bio provides no help, other than to confirm that he was in Stab/JG3.