When Did Gefr. Josef 'Jupp' Bigge Join JG2?

[Peter Cook]

I am trying to find out when Gefr. Josef 'Jupp' Bigge joined JG2. Eric Mombeek's Jagdwaffe Vol Two Section 1 - Battle of Britain Phase One has a photo on P. 61 with the caption: "Along with members of his groundcrew, Gefr. Josef 'Jupp' Bigge is seen here sitting on the port wing of his Bf 109 E-1 'Black 9' of 8./JG 2 at Octeville near Le Havre in early August 1940." However, deZeng and Stankey's Luftwaffe Officer Career Summaries and the Kracker Luftwaffe Archive list his service as starting in 08.41, and Mathews and Foreman's Luftwaffe Aces, states that he 'flew with JG 2 during 1941-1943.' Can anyone help to resolve these discrepancies?

I have just come across a later photo in Mombeek which states that "Bigge was posted to 8./.JG 2 on 20 June 1940".

[Chris Goss]

I would go with Eric. Bigge was a long-serving member of JG 2

[Peter Cook]

Thanks Chris, that made most sense to me.

Peter

[Fredo Hara]

Hello Peter.
Yes, as Eric Mombeek indicates, "Jupp" Bigge arrived in JG2 in June 1940.

There is a famous photo that can be dated precisely (end october 1940) from the visit of Goering to Cherbourg where we see Bigge

Fred

[Peter Cook]

Thanks for the confirmation Fredo -- much appreciated.

Peter

[Edward L. Hsiao]

How many victories did Josef Bigge had during WWII? Did he survived WWII?

Edward L. Hsiao

[Chris Goss]

He survived but is no longer with us & at least 9

[Fredo Hara]

Yes, he died not so long ago, the 29/12/2011

[Larry deZeng]

Originally Posted by Peter Cook

I am trying to find out when Gefr. Josef 'Jupp' Bigge joined JG2. Eric Mombeek's Jagdwaffe Vol Two Section 1 - Battle of Britain Phase One has a photo on P. 61 with the caption: "Along with members of his groundcrew, Gefr. Josef 'Jupp' Bigge is seen here sitting on the port wing of his Bf 109 E-1 'Black 9' of 8./JG 2 at Octeville near Le Havre in early August 1940." However, deZeng and Stankey's Luftwaffe Officer Career Summaries and the Kracker Luftwaffe Archive list his service as starting in 08.41, and Mathews and Foreman's Luftwaffe Aces, states that he 'flew with JG 2 during 1941-1943.' Can anyone help to resolve these discrepancies?

I have just come across a later photo in Mombeek which states that "Bigge was posted to 8./.JG 2 on 20 June 1940".

Hello Peter -

Whoa! A little confusion here! "....as starting in...." and "....with...." are not synonymous. Matthews and Foreman and deZeng and Stankey are compatible and simply mean he belonged to JG 2 on the date indicated. He could have joined or reported to the Geschwader years earlier but we lacked that information. On the other hand, Eric M. was able to obtain Bigge's Karteikarte, Personalakte, Soldbuch or perhaps JG 2's KTB for 1940 and found an entry indicating the exact date Bigge reported in. Doug and I as well as the others including Kracker had to go with what we had, whereas Eric M., focusing on just one unit, could take the time to dig deeper.

BIGGE, Josef. ("Jupp"). 08.41 with Stab/JG 2. 14.08.41 Fw., 8./JG 2. 29.08.41 Fw., Stab/JG 2. 17.09.41 Uffz., 8./JG 2. 12.41 with 3./JG 2. 11.04.43 Ofw. with 8./JG 2. 13.08.43 Lt., 2./JG 2 WIA - Fw 190 A-6 in a crash at Beauxon due to fuel shortage. 06.09.43 Lt., 2./JG 2 WIA - Fw 190 A-6 overturned on landing at St. Andre a/f. Credited with 8 victories.

Cheers,

Larry deZeng

[Peter Cook]

Larry,

I have been away and have only just seen your reply. I didn't mean to infer that your data was incorrect in any way, but thanks for putting me straight. I find your Luftwaffe Officers database to be an amazing and invaluable reference source -- keep up the good work!

Peter