History of IV./JG 54

[Peter Kassak]

Hi all,

Maybe some of you noticed that I am researching history of second installment of ZG 76. During this I came to a discrepancy in facts, with which I need help or guidance of this well knowledged forum community.

II./ZG 76 is being written to become III./JG 54 on February 2, 1945. Michael Holms web page (www.ww2.de) says:
III./JG 54 reformed 27.2.45 in Grossenhain from II./ZG76 with:

Stab III./JG54 from Stab II./ZG76
9./JG54 from 4./ZG76
10./JG54 from 5./ZG76
11./JG54 from 6./ZG76

Disbanded 5.4.45.
as a GKs are mentioned

• Olt Wilhelm Heilmann (acting), 1.45
• Maj Rudolf Klemm, 2.45 - 17.4.45

HOWEVER somewhat below there is an info for IV./JG 54 saying:
GKs:

• Hptm Rudolf Klemm, 1.10.44 - 2.45
• Hptm Fritz-Karl Schloßstein, 3.45 - 4.45

On 7.2.45 redesignated II./JG7:

Stab IV./JG54 became Stab II./JG7
13./JG54 became 5./JG7
14./JG54 became 6./JG7
15./JG54 became 7./JG7
16./JG54 became 8./JG7

As it is known to me, last GK of II./ZG 76 was Hptm. K.F. Schlossstein, who also refers to his Staffeln at JG 54 beying 9-12th Staffeln but he mentioned to be GK of IV. Gruppe.

Can someone solve this?
-Where did the new 12.Staffel JG 54 came from? Was 12.Staffel newly organized from new pilots or some other unit?
-Was the ZG 76 planned to became III. Gruppe for two weeks and when IV./JG 54 became JG 7 after heavy losses, it wa decided that II./ZG 76 will became IV. Gruppe JG 54?
-III. Gruppe flew Fw 190 D-9 until December (do not know later), but from known losses of ex ZG 76 pilots listed at Bob Wartburgs JG 54 web page it is obvious that these flew mostly Fw 190 A-8s, which was equippment of old IV./JG 54.

I am looking forward to some opinions or definitiveanswer Thanks!

Check six and HORRIDO!

[RossGmann]

Not sure if the following link may be of help or interest. http://www.luftwaffe.cz/leykauf.html

In part in states

“Erwin Leykauf left 12./JG 54 on 10 July 1943, when 11. and 12. Staffel, JG 54 were renamed 11./ and 12./JG 26.”

Kind regards

Ross

[Larry deZeng]

I don't know if this will help or be of any interest:

SCHLOSSSTEIN (SCHLOßSTEIN or SCHLOSSTEIN), Karl Fritz (Karl-Friedrich). (DKG). 1941 in 1.(Z)/JG 77. 20.01.42 Oblt. and Staka 1.(Z)/JG 5, appt Staka 6.(Z)/JG 5. 16.03.42 Oblt., appt Staka 10.(Z)/JG 5 (to 26.06.42). 26.06.42 appt Staka 13.(Z)/JG 5 (to 06.43). 10.08.42 shot up by Russian ground fire and belly landed 20 km SE of Petsamo. 26.10.42 Oblt., awarded the Ehrenpokal. 14.03.43 WIA in a landing accident at Kirkenes. 31.03.43 Oblt., awarded DKG, 13.(Z)/JG 5. 01.10.43 promo to Hptm. 12.43 trf from 13.(Z)/JG 5 to I./ZG 101 at Memmingen. 01.06.44 Hptm., appt Kdr. I./ZG 101 (to 05.07.44). 21.07.44 appt Kdr. II./ZG 76 (to 05.45).

This information comes from BA-ZNS records and orders supplemented by an extensive interview of Herr Schloßstein conducted by a friend of mine some years ago.

Larry & Doug

[Peter Kassak]

To: Larry and Doug
Thanks. I personally met Mr. Schlossstein. He remembers to be GK of IV. Gruppe JG 54 at the end of war but with Staffeln 9-12. Confusing...In fact it was III. Gruppe! II. ZG 76 did not exist after Feb. 7 1945....

To: Rossmann
Tha is the III. Gruppe that flew to West and become part of JG 26. New one has been formed for two months on the East from ZG 76. Not wery known history, I work on it to be more known