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Jagdgeschwader 7

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Jagdgeschwader 7
File:JG7-Emblem.png
Active1944 – 1945
CountryNazi Germany Germany
BranchAir Force
TypeFighter Aircraft
RoleAir superiority
SizeAir Force Wing
Nickname(s)Nowotny
Fighter AircraftMe 262
EngagementsDefense of the Reich
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Johannes Steinhoff (1.12.44 – 26.12.44)
Theodor Weissenberger (1.1.45 – 8.5.45)
Aircraft flown
FighterMe 262

Jagdgeschwader 7 (JG 7) Nowotny was a Luftwaffe fighter-wing of World War II and the first operational jet fighter wing in the world.

It was created late in 1944 and served until the end of the war in May 1945, and it operated the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter exclusively.

JG 7 was formed under the command of Oberst Johannes Steinhoff, with Kommando Nowotny (the initial Me 262 test wing ) renumbered III./JG 7. Under the command of Major Erich Hohagen III./JG 7 was the only element of JG 7 ready to operate against the Allies. Throughout its existence JG 7 suffered from an irregular supply of new aircraft, fuel and spares. With such a radically new aircraft, training accidents were also common, with 10 Me 262s being lost in six weeks.

The technical troubles and material shortages meant initial tentative sorties were only in flight strength, usually no more than 4 or 6 aircraft. Flying from Brandenburg-Briest, Oranienburg and Parchim, the Geschwader flew intermittently against the huge USAAF bomber streams.

By the end of February 1945 JG 7 had claimed around 45 four-engined bombers and 15 fighters, but at this stage of war this success rate had no effect whatsoever on the Allied air offensive. During March JG 7 finally began to deliver larger scale attacks against the heavy bomber streams. 3 March saw 29 sorties for 8 kills claimed (one jet was lost). On 18 March III./JG 7 finally managed their biggest attack numerically thus far, some 37 Me 262s engaging a force of 1,200 American bombers and 600 fighters. This action also marked the first use of the new R4M rockets. 12 bombers and 1 fighter were claimed for the loss of 3 Me 262s.

The total numbers of aircraft shot down by JG 7 is difficult to quantify due to the loss of Luftwaffe records, but at least 136 aircraft were claimed, and research indicates as many as 420 Allied aircraft may have been claimed shot down.

Wartime service

Me 262 displaying the Windhund (Sighthound) emblem

March 1945

23 March 1945

Heavy bombers of the USAAF 15th Air Force attacked refineries at Ruhland, where fuel production ceased completely after the attack. The Luftwaffe countered this attack with 14 jet fighters claiming two confirmed and one probable victories during the course of 11 aerial combat over Chemnitz. Major Heinrich Ehrler was credited with two B-24s destroyed and Oberfeldwebel Reinhold a B-17 probably destroyed. American sources confirm these claims to attacking Me 262s in the area of operations.[1]

31 March 1945

19 four-engined bombers and two fighters and the probable destruction of another bomber recorded a level of success which was never to be exceeded.[2] About 20 Me 262s of I. Gruppe and seven machines of III. Gruppe took off during the early morning hours of the day to intercept British and Canadian bomber formations of No. 419 Squadron (Moose), No. 434 Squadron (Bluenose), No. 408 Squadron (Goose), No. 415 Squadron (Swordfish) and No. 425 Squadron (Alouette). Oberleutnant Sturm, Oberleutnant Hans Grünberg (2), Leutnant Todt (2), Leutnant Schenk (2), Oberleutnant Franz Schall (2), Fähnrich Ehrig (2), Leutnant Hans-Dieter Weihs (1 probable) and Flieger Reiher had achieved 13 aerial victories without loss.[3]

The days victory total was raised by at least six during the afternoon when Oberleutnant Stehle led a formation against one of the numerous Lancaster formations. The Staffelkapitän of 2./JG 7 Fritz Stehle shot down a Lancaster near Osnabrück. 11. Staffel and the Stabsschwarm engaged the 8th Air Force in the Zeitz, Brandenburg and Braunschweig areas. American records show the loss of 3 B-17s, 2 B-24s and 4 P-51s mostly to Me 262s. It is believed that Major Weissenberger, Oberfähnrich Windisch and Oberfeldwebel Pritzl each destroyed a B-17. Major Ehrler and Leutnant Rudolf Rademacher probably accounted for a Mustang each.[4]

May 1945

At 16:00 on 8 May 1945 fighters of the JG 7 fought the last aerial battle of World War II in Europe. At about 15:20 Oberleutnant Fritz Stehle and his wingman took off to intercept Russian Yak-9 fighters and came upon the surprised enemy over Freiburg. Stehle's victory may very well be the last aerial victory by a German fighter pilot in World War II.[5]

Commanding Officers

Geschwaderkommodore

Gruppenkommandeure

I./JG 7

II./JG 7

  • Major Hermann Staiger, 12 January 1945
  • Hauptmann Burkhard, February 1945
  • Major Hans Klemm, 15 April 1945 - 8 May 1945

III./JG 7

  • Major Erich Hohagen, 19 November 1944
  • Major Rudolf Sinner, 1 January 1945
  • Hauptmann Johannes Naumann, 5 April 1945

IV./JG 7

Pilots attached to JG 7

See also

Organization of the Luftwaffe during World War II

References

Citations
  1. ^ Boehme 1992, p. 129.
  2. ^ Boehme 1992, p. 137.
  3. ^ Boehme 1992, p. 138.
  4. ^ Boehme 1992, p. 139.
  5. ^ Boehme 1992, p. 176.
Bibliography
External links
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