Wilhelm Johnen Staffelkapitän of 6./NJG 6?

[Roger Gaemperle]

Hello,

All sources I read state that Wilhelm Johnen was made Staffelkapitän of 6./NJG 6 at the beginning of March 1944. He previously belonged to 5./NJG 6.

However, in April 1944 he landed with Bf 110 C9+EN - an aircraft of 5./NJG 6 - in Dübendorf, Switzerland. If he was Staffelkapitän of 6./NJG 6, why was he flying an aircraft of 5./NJG 6?

Does anyone know what the wartime source is for the statement that he became Staffelkapitän of 6./NJG 6 in March 44? I read his autobiography, but it did not mention that he became Staffelkapitän in March 44. However, there is a reproduction of a summary of his Wehrpass dated September 1945. It states "29.3.1945 Staffelkapitän", but unfortunately not of which Staffel.

Roger

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello Roger,

Confusing isn't it? Well, Wim Johnen became Staffelkapitän 6./NJG 5 on 3 March 1944 up to 10 May 1944. Then the 6./NJG 5 was renamed in 8./NJG 6 of which Johnen remained in function up to Febr.1945. Then he was promoted to Gruppenkommandeur III./NJG 6 up to VE-Day.

Best regards, Marcel

[Roger Gaemperle]

Hello Marcel,

Thank you very much for your message. I believe Johnen was attached to 5./NJG 5 as Staffelkapitän when he landed in Switzerland, and not 6./NJG 5 as most sources state. In my original message, I confused NJG 6 and NJG 5.

Best regards, Roger