Identity Nachtjagd Staffel near Berlin late September 1940?

[Theo Boiten]

Dear all,

According to an entry in the War Diaries of the Ober Kommando der Wehrmacht (OKW) for 26 September 1940, (following the Bomber Command 23-24 September 1940 Berlin raid), a Nachtjagd Staffel was deployed near the Reichshaupstadt on the 26th of the month. I have not been able to identify this Staffel and its base near Berlin, who can help?

Cheers and thanks for any pointers, Theo

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello Theo,

As the number of available Nachtjagdstaffeln was quite limited then, this questionmark can be solved.
Theoretically, it could have been
1) a Kette lead by Oblt. H.Griese. On 8th September 1940 they left the I./NJG 1 for nocturnal operations near Berlin on 8th September. Unfortunately, I don't know when this Kette returned but it must have been before the end of September since Griese was involved in the so called 'Mordnacht von Vechta, 29/30 September 1940.
2) the Erg.Staffel/NJG 1 because Obtl. S.Wandam got the command over this unit 'some days' after 20 September 1940. As we don't know the dislocation of this Erg.St./NJG 1 there is no confirmation for this option
3) checking my Bf110-database, a third option pops up: the 9./NJG 1 which lost a Bf110D-1 (Wnr.3308) on Stendal airfield - not far from Berlin - on the 7th October 1940.

Unfortunately, no clear and convincing answer, just a few options. All the best, Marcel

[Merlin]

The Erg.St./NJG 1 was based from August 1940 until 1942 always at Stuttgart-Echterdingen.

The III./NJG 1 was at Stendal from 6.10.40 until 23.10.40.

The only possibility for a presence of nightfighters in the Berlin area late in September 1940 remains the detachment of I./NJG 1, which must not have been led by Oblt. Griese all the time.

[Theo Boiten]

Hello Marcel and Gerhard,

Thank to you both for your valuable input, which has helped me to solve the mystery I think. The unpublished wartime 'Kriegs-Geschichte der I./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1' mentions on pages 22-23 that I./NJG1 was deployed to Gardelegen, a Kette of the Gruppe under command of Oblt. Kälber being simultaneously stationed at Wittstock, for the protection of Berlin in early October 1940. I must come to the conclusion that the OKW diarist did not correctly enter this in the OKW KTB; the date was not 26th September 1940 as he stated in the KTB but early October 1940, and the transfer did not concern a Staffel but a complete Gruppe..

Cheers, Theo