Iv./jg 54

[Leo Etgen]

Hi guys

I am wondering if anybody could help me with a question that I have concerning IV./JG 54. What I would like to know is when this Gruppe was reorganized in August 1944, on which particular date (if any) were the component Staffeln redesignated? It appears that the redesignations were such: 13./JG 54 from the old 10./JG 54; 14./JG 54 from the old 11./JG 54; 15./JG 54 from the old 12./JG 54 and 16./JG 54 from 6./JG 54. I have attempted to make sense of this from the claims data on Wood's files but there does not appear to have been any particular date that the Staffeln were renamed, unlike IV./JG 51, for example, which was reorganized on 15 August. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Horrido!

Leo

[Andy Mitchell]

Leo,

I hope that this is of some assistance -

11 reformed from 8./JG 54 (8.44)
12 reformed from 2./ JG 54 (8.44)
13 formed from 6./JG 54 (6.44)
14 formed from original 11./JG 54 (8.44)
15 Formed 9.44
16 Formed 9.44
The above from Rosch - Luftwaffe Codes, Markings and Units 1939-45 Page 218.

See also Holm http://www.ww2.dk/ (Luftwaffe 1939-45) for a slightly differing view:-

"Reorganised in 8.44 (the old 12./JG54 became part of III./JG54):

13./JG54 from the old 10./JG54

14./JG54 from the old 11./JG54
15./JG54 from 4./JG54
16./JG54 from 6./JG54"

[Rabe Anton]

Gruß Gott Leo!

I have noticed your posting concerning the reorganization of IV./JG 54 in August 1944.

I have been studying IV./JG 54 for many years but have never seen a document ordering the redesignation of the Staffeln in IV. Gruppe. Certainly there was one, and it may surface one day. Working from the NVLM for the IV. Gruppe, however, it seems
that the changeover in Staffel numbering took place at unit level at about 21-22 August 1944.

I do not have my research materials at hand just now and so cannot comment on how the redesignations were carried out. I seem to remember, however, that IV./JG 54 had four consecutively numbered Staffeln after May 1944, when the Gruppe was reorganized and rebuilt under Wolfgang Späte. The 6./JG 54 was involved in the renumbering, I believe—repeat, believe—of May 1944, a new 6. Staffel being formed in the II. Gruppe after this time. I could have this wrong, however, and the 6. Staffel may not have been redesignated until the late August renumbering. Other readers can, I'm sure, clarify this particular point.

So far as I know, 4./JG 54 was not involved in the IV. Gruppe redesignations of 1944. The situation of 2./JG 54 also had nothing to do with IV. Gruppe's reshufflings. 2. Staffel under Oblt. Hans Dortenmann went West to reinforce the III. Gruppe at the time of D-Day, stayed in the West, and ultimately was permanently incorporated into III./JG 54 (as 12./JG 54, I believe) when that Gruppe, too, was reorganized and renumbered in August 1944 (9., 10., 11., and 12./JG 54). As with 6. Staffel, a new 2. Staffel was formed within I./JG 54 in the East (Kurland, actually) to replace the unit sent West in early June.

Be very careful of existing statements about the situation of the IV./JG 54 as very little authoritative and soundly grounded writing has been published about this unit. Rosch, in particular, is dependent upon changes in Feldpostnummern which do not offer precise data about all redesignations.

RA

[Leo Etgen]

Hi guys

Thank you both for your kind and prompt responses to my question. I must admit that there appears to be several differing accounts as to the reorganization of IV./JG 54, as both your posts have demonstrated. Based on the Wood's claims files, I am getting the impression that indeed around 20 August 1944, 10./JG 54 became 13./JG 54; 11./JG 54 became 14./JG 54 and 12./JG 54 became 15./JG 54. I have found that the last mention of both 10./JG 54 and 11./JG 54 is 19 August, with 13./JG 54 claiming its first victory on 23 August and 14./JG 54 two days later. Unfortunately, concerning 12./JG 54, there appear to be several typographical errors caused by the poor condition of the microfilms that the claims files are based upon but overall I get the impression that around the same time period it was redesignated as 15./JG 54. 16./JG 54 is quite a problem and honestly I cannot comment on this Staffel's origins as there not enough data on Wood's files for me to do so. Most sources state that it was a redesignation of 6./JG 54 and until new evidence surfaces I think it best to go with that. I would assume that this took place around the same time as the other redesignations. As Rabe states, from the claims files I get the impression that 4./JG 54 remained as such as was not involved in the reorganization of IV./JG 54. 2./JG 54 was indeed redesignated as 12./JG 54 and became a component of III./JG 54 in August with a new 2./JG 54 being formed under the command of Leutnant Otto Kittel in late August. Thank you Rabe as well for the note of caution concerning this unit. I would like to clarify more the origins of 16./JG 54 but for now that might remain one of the minor mysteries of the Luftwaffe. I must say that I am very grateful for both of you guys stepping in to help me with this question. Thanks a lot to both of you!

Horrido!

Leo