Importance of Luftwaffe Geshwader numbers?

[KennyK404]

I was looking at my Battle of Britain collection the other day and saw markings from JG26, ZG26 and KG26! After regretting my choices..... why was "26" so important?

The wider question... what led to particular numbers being bestowed upon units? I can understand the general idea of using high numbers to make a force sound bigger than it might be, but no specifics.

Thanks!

[Nick Beale]

From what I remember, pre-war Germany was divided into four areas. Units of all types based in one area received numbers in the range 1–25; in the next area 26–50; then 51–75; then 76–100.

[KennyK404]

*sigh* I'd started writing out a lengthy reply, but I have to get organised and head out.

Thankyou for the idea, this will be continued "soon"!

[Larry deZeng]

Kenny K. -

The Geschwader numbering system in force from 1 April 1934 to 30 April 1939 is rather complicated, but for those interested see:

Tessin, Georg. Deutsche Verbände und Truppen 1918 - 1939. Osnabrück: Biblio Verlag, 1974, pp.287-88.

The new numbering system that was used throughout the war went into effect on 1 May 1939. The numbers 1-25 were assigned to Luftflotte 1, the numbers 26-50 to Luftflotte 2, the numbers 51-75 to Luftflotte 3 and the numbers 76-100 to Luftflotte 4. Kampfgeschwader, Sturzkampfgeschwader, Zerstörergeschwader and Jagdgeschwader carried at the same time identical numbers, e.g., JG 26, ZG 26, KG 26, compared to the former system that used 3-place numbering, e.g., JG 131, JG 334, KG 153, KG 255, etc.¹

The phrase "were assigned to" in the second sentence above means that effective 1 May the Geschwader with those numbers were assigned to the indicated Luftflotte. That was to be their "home" Luftflotte. After that date and for the purposes of operations, the Geschwader and their Gruppen could be assigned anywhere they were needed. When they needed to rest, re-group and re-equip, they were supposed to be sent to airfields located within their "home" Geschwader, but that theoretical provision had to be gradually discarded after the war started.

L.

¹ op.cit., p.295.