IIII./JG26 Officers signatures Christmas 1939

[Kapper]

Don
As suggested, the signature top right looks like Hollweg Oblt 7 – possibly Oblt. Hermann Hollweg, which raises an interesting question? I have Hollweg moving from JG26 to form 4./JG27 on 1st January 1940 but his position in JG26 is unclear. In your work on JG26 War Diary you have Oblt. Georg Beyer being appointed Staffelkapitan 7./JG26 on December 11, 1939 (ex Geschwader Adjutant), yet I also cannot see any Signature that looks like Beyer. I also note that you had no Staffelkapitan listed for 7./JG26 from formation until Beyer took over in December.
Since this was done at Christmas 1939 could Hollweg have been the missing Staffelkapitan of 7./JG26 and moved to form 4./JG27 in the new year and Beyer took over then and not on December 11, 1939 (maybe appointment date but didn’t take over till the new year?)
In addition 9th on right is possibly Lt Walter Blume of 7 staffel ??
Regards,
Craig....

[Peglar]

Got a few rare Fotos of JG 26 - here is one from Christmas 1939 1./JG 26

Greetings Peglar

[Don Caldwell]

Rob --

All I have on Esser is the list of Stabskompanie COs in Priller, which does not give first names.

Craig --

Your post sent me back to Prien's II./JG 27 history. He states that JG 27's own Traditionsgeschichte calls JG 26 the "Mutterveband" of II./JG 27. Obviously a number of JG 26 pilots (and probably some ground staff) transferred to II./JG 27 at the end of 1939, explaining the presence of some of the names on the Christmas card. It's odd (but not surprising, I guess) that nothing I have from the JG 26 side (mainly Schöpfel's early Geschichte from the BA-MA and Priller's book) mentions this exodus at all.


Horrido!

Don

[Don Caldwell]

Hi Craig --

If you have independent information that Hollweg was in III./JG 26 and moved to 4./JG 27 in Jan 40 then this is almost certainly Hollweg's signature, and the minor mystery of 7./JG 26's first Staffelkapitän has been solved. Here's the info I had when I looked at the signature card:

1. The Geschwader history Schöpfel had written in 1942 and that wound up in the BA-MA does not contain Hollweg's name, AFAIK.

2. Jupp Bürschgens, my main source for info and photos of early-war 7. Staffel pilots, did not know Hollweg -- however, it now appears that B. was in the hospital from the time the Staffel was established until H. left the Geschwader.

3. Pips Priller's Geschichte does not identify the first 7. Staffel Kapitän. The ID of that individual from 29 Sep 39 to 10 Dec 39 was "ungeklärt". However, Priller acknowledged Hermann Hollweg by name for his help with the pre-war portion of his history.

It's a funny business.

Horrido!

Don

[Kapper]

Don,
Sorry I don’t have a firm independent source, I made the following note on my computer, “SCW Vet, SOW JG26, formed 4./JG27 1/1/40” but didn’t record the source. From memory I had recorded it with information about JG27 from one of the books in my collection but I’m damned if I can find this information again to correctly reference. I'm sure I'll find it eventually.
Anyway, I know previous works in books can be inaccurate at times thus the question mark about it being possible that he was Staffelkapitan of 7./JG26. From your response it seems possible and worth looking at further.
Regards,
Craig...

[Don Caldwell]

Craig --

Your source for Hollweg was probably Prien's II./JG 27 history, which lists Hollweg as coming from JG 26, serving as the 1st Kapitän of 4./JG 27 from 3 Jan 40 to 7 Sep 40, and then transferring to 3./JG 2 as Kapitän. Upon overnight reflection, it's a stretch to conclude that he was 7./JG 26 Kapitän based on his signature "in the right place" on a Christmas card, but there's no contradictory data (yet).

-- Don

[VtwinVince]

Don, I'm surprised Losigkeit isn't on this one. Also, can you confirm if the Daig on this piece is later with JG 27?

[Don Caldwell]

Fritz Losigkeit was never in III./JG 26. He remained in 2./JG 26 when many of its personnel moved to 7./JG 26 on its establishment in Sep 39, and in fact became the 2. Staffel Kapitän.

Unfortunately I have no information on Daig, either in III./JG 26 or JG 27. Craig might have something.

Regards,

Don

[Don Caldwell]

Hello Huib --

After starting this thread, you dropped out rather quickly. Has this info been of any use? Is there a group photo associated with this card, and if so, would it be possible to scan and post it?

Best regards,

Don

[Huib Ottens]

Hi Don,

I just watched to see the thread develop and see what information would pop up. I am glad that a great number of signatures are identified and that the signature page in the book may have been of some help regarding the possible identification of a 'missing' Staffelkapitän.

The book comes from the estate of Walter Horten, JG 26's TO and I assume he was present as well, although I don't think his signature is on the page.

Unfortunately there is no associated photo with this signature page, only the book.

I would like to thank you and all the others who have identified so many signatures.