Jagdgruppe 200

[Nick Beale]

In a rare concession to the fighter junkies amongst us, I've just posted a new article on my website: "Jagdgruppe 200 in Provence: June–August 1944."

This is just the first instalment and more will be added over the coming weeks. No promises about exact dates though.

[Jan Bobek]

Great! + thanks!

Please check your mailbox.

[Nick Beale]

Over on Ghostbombers, the story of Jagdgruppe 200 in Provence: June–August 1944 has now reached 12 July 1944 and includes an appendix on the unit's order of battle for the period 11 June – 18 August 1944.

In addition, there are additions to the calendar and several changes to the pages covering the combat of 27 May and the events of June 1944. My particular thanks to Guy Julien and Jan Bobek for their comments and contributions in response to the original version.

[Guy JULIEN]

Thanks Nick,
The air battle occured on the 12th of July 1944 took place North of Toulon and West of Draguignan. The fight begun in Saint Maximin area and ended over the Durance river.
Lt Fawcett's B-24 fell in Saint Martin de pallière.
Lt Ray's B-24 near Seillon Source d'Argens
Lt Dunn's Ship in La Rocques d'Antheron
Captain Swanzy's plane in la Tour D'aigues.
I investigated years ago on the four crash sites
Three combat wings were dispatched to bomb marshalling yards located in Miramas and Nîmes( one for Miramas and two for Nîmes) Because a very adverse weather escorts have to abort. The 332nd FG was alone to protect the entire attack (his initial task was to escort 49th BW).
Bombers reported the red markings for the Bf-109 attacking the 461st BG and yellow markings for the others who attacked 464th BG and 465th BG.
A Veteran said to me "After Nîmes ,Ploesti some days later was a Milk run"

Guy

[Nick Beale]

I've posted updates to my website this evening: the Jagdgruppe 200 story is now up to 23 July 1944 and includes the action on 14 July in which the Gruppe fought units of the US 8th Air Force.

[kaki3152]

Nick,

Love the stuff on JGr-200. I still have some 15 year old correspondence from you on this subject.

The 332nd FG did lose a P-51 on July 12,1944 but it was not in combat.

The "July 1944 Overseas Accident Losses" has P-51C-7, s/n 42-103946, flown by Lt. George M. Rhodes as BOEF (Bailed out Engine Failure) 50 miles ENE Rome.

This is in line with the account in "The Tuskegee Airmen" by C. Francis who reports "During the takeoff several memebers of the 100th Squadron got lost in the overcast and not being able to locate their flights returned to base. One member of the 100th,Lt. George Rhodes, developed engine trouble and was forced to bail out in the vicinity of Rhodes. He was picked up by friendly natives..."

I believe the account in the latest book on the 332nd FG "332n Fighter Group - Tuskegee Airmen" by Bucholtz is incorrect. "Lt. George Rhodes was shot down during the battle,bailing out near Viterbo, but he was returned and brought back to squadron"

Carlos

[Johannes]

I have a question.
Was Ofw Labe the uffz Labe of Zg26 in June44?

Johannes

[Nick Beale]

I've posted another addition to the JG 200 story today, to include 16 and 17 August 1944.

[DB601E]

Hi Nick and Andreas,

according to JaFü Süd documents, there has been well a
"Einsatz Kommando".
It was mostly written in these reports as:
Einsatz-Kdo/J.Gr. Süd
E.-Kdo/J.Gr. Süd
Eins.-Kdo

Claims in Jafü Süd report:
Müller Hagen was mentioned in 11.03.44 in E.-Kdo/J.Gr. Süd
Müller Hagen was mentioned in 29.04.44 in Eins.-Kdo/J.Gr. Süd
Müller Hagen was mentioned in 25.05.44 in E.-Kdo/J.Gr. Süd
Müller Hagen was mentioned in 27.05.44 in E.-Kdo/J.Gr. Süd

Unfortunatly these reports end in early July 1944, last entry for Müller Hagen:
05.07.1944 Fw. Müller Hagen 3./J.Gr. 200

This Kommando was already existing in times of JGr. Süd.
It was a seperated "team of experts", wich was alltime ready to intercept.
As the JGr Süd was a training unit for new fighter pilots, there was a need
to have a certain number of experienced pilot in a seperate unit, to intercept allied attacks. They have been mostly based near the coast.

Finally, JGr Süd had only 3 Staffeln, after first combats of Dragoon, they have been collected the remaining AC in 2 Staffeln.

JGr Süd has had 4 Staffeln at least in winter 1943 and spring 1944, but as far as i know, there was no more a 4. Staffel in southern france end of JGr. Süd/
start of JGr. 200 in June 1944.

Best greetings

Lino

[Nick Beale]

As of today's update to my site, Jagdgruppe 200 in Provence: June–August 1944 has reached the end of the unit's operational history on 20 August 1944.

I've also posted two lists: losses in action and of aircraft abandoned when the Gruppe withdrew from Provence. There is also a short Free French Air Force summary of the action on 8 August and a mention of a P-47 lost to Flak on 31 July 1944.

I 'll be adding a little more to this article before too long, I hope, so keep checking the site.