Jagdgeschwader 1 (JG 1) "Oesau" was a German World War II fighter wing created in 1939. Between 1940 and 1942, JG 1 operated primarily over the Western Front and northern occupied Europe. During the initial days of the war, JG 1 faced little resistance, apart from occasional Royal Air Force (RAF) excursions. The unit was rarely engaged in large-scale confrontations during this time.

From late 1942 onwards it was tasked with Defence of the Reich (German: Reichsverteidigung) operations. After D-Day, elements of JG 1 were moved to France and were tasked with air support to the German Army (Heer) along with their air defence role. JG 1 suffered heavy losses over France and had to be rebuilt.

The wing fought in the Battle of Bulge and Operation Bodenplatte which severely reduced it. In the last days of the war, it became the only unit to be equipped with the Heinkel He 162 jet fighter.

JG 1 suffered 464 killed in action, 174 wounded in action, 94 killed in accidents, and 16 prisoners of war.

Formation history In May 1939, the organisation of the Luftwaffe was changed. As a result, a large number of units were re-designated and many command title changes took place. I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 130 (JG 130—130th Fighter Wing) was given the designation I./JG 1. The high-profile and most senior home front wing, JG 2 "Richthofen" had coveted that designation, but was left in "second place". However, on 7 May 1940, just before the invasion of France and the Low Countries, I./JG 1 was merged with Jagdgeschwader 27 (JG 27—27th Fighter Wing) and renamed III./JG 27. This temporarily dissolved JG 1 as a unit. Seven months later, on 7 December 1940 a new unit I./JG 1 was formed at Jever out of several defensive units based on the North Sea coast.

JG 1's role was to provide air cover over a large portion of the North Sea coastline. Its commander was Oberstleutnant Carl-August Schumacher. Their operational area stretched from the Netherlands to Southern Norway. On 5 January 1942, Schumacher handed over command to Major Erich von Selle to become commander of the fighter forces for Luftflotte 5 (Jagdfliegerführer Norwegen).

Reorganization

Similar to its parent Jagdgeschwader 2, Jagdgeschwader 1 was designated to be a "donor" unit in forming a new unit called Jagdgeschwader 11 (JG 11—11th Fighter Wing) on 31 March 1943. I. and II. Gruppe of JG 1 were transferred to JG 11. IV. Gruppe was re-designated as I./JG 1. A new III. Gruppe was formed in Leeuwarden, Netherlands, commanded by Major Karl-Heinz Leesmann.

The new Jagdgeschwader 1 was moved to Deelen to protect occupied Dutch territory, and JG 11 tasked with protecting the North German border between Netherlands and Denmark. Erich Mix was replaced by Major Hans Philipp as Geschwaderkommodore. By mid 1943, JG 1 came under the control of Luftwaffenbefehlshaber Mitte, which went on to form Luftflotte Reich.

Organization structure

Generally, the organization of JG 1 followed the standard Luftwaffe organization for any typical wing (Geschwader). It was commanded by a Geschwaderkommodore, equivalent to a USAAF wing commander or RAF group captain. A Geschwaderkommodore was supposed to have the rank of lieutenant colonel (Oberstleutnant) or colonel (Oberst), but the position could be filled by a relatively junior officer.

Initially most Luftwaffe fighter wings consisted of three groups (Gruppe), which were the equivalent of USAAF groups or RAF wings. Groups were identified using Roman numerals, followed by the unit number; e.g. I./JG 1. In 1942 JG 1 was the first unit to be expanded to incorporate a fourth group. Partly as a result of JG 1's expansion, other Luftwaffe fighter wings incorporated a fourth group from mid-1943.

Each group usually consisted of three to four squadrons (Staffeln), which were identified using numbers; e.g. 3./JG 1. Each squadron also had a subordinate headquarters flight (Stabschwarm) associated with it. A squadron with an establishment of 12–16 aircraft usually consisted of three to four flights (Schwärme) of four aircraft usually flying in the "finger-four" formation. The commanding officer of a squadron (Staffelkapitän) usually held a rank of senior lieutenant (Oberleutnant) or captain (Hauptmann). The flights of a squadron were color-coded "Red", "Blue", "Yellow" and "Green".

A Geschwaderstab was essentially a Headquarters Unit (Stabschwarm) for the entire wing. There were headquarters units also at gruppe level. Initially when JG 1 was re-formed in Jever, it was constituted as a Regional Fighter Command (Jagdfliegerführer 2) on 30 November 1939 with an intention to co-ordinate with navy (Kriegsmarine) flak and signals units. This autonomous command defending the coastline was placed under Oberstleutnant Carl-August Schumacher. Geschwaderstab JG 1 (Stab. JG 1) was also alternatively called JG Nord or JG Schumacher and was equipped with Bf 109 D and E variants.

Group I./JG 1

I./JG 1 consisted of one Headquarters Flight (Gruppenstab) and 1., 2. and 3 Staffel. When the Battle of France commenced on 10 May 1940, I./JG 1 was put under the administrative control of JG 27. After seeing extensive service, the group was re-designated III./JG 27 on 5 July 1940. The Gruppenstab was formed on 1 September and placed under the command of Major Dr. Erich Mix.

1./JG 1 was reformed on 7 December 1940 in Vlissingen from the "Holland" Squadron (Jasta Holland). 2./JG 1 was formed on 5 July 1941 in Katwijk, Netherlands, from the Münster-Loddenheide Squadron (Jasta Münster-Loddenheide) of Luftflotte 2 while 3./JG 1 was formed on 1 March 1941 in De Kooy from parts of the Training/Supplement squadron of Jagdgeschwader 52 (Ergänzungsstaffel Gruppe/JG 52). These three units operated independently until September 1941 when they were grouped into I./JG 1 under Major Erich Mix.

3./JG 1 was ordered to Sicily and later Africa, and re-designated as 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing) on 30 November 1941. Another 3./JG 1 was formed in Wangerooge on the same day. In January 1944, the 18 Staffel unit was transferred to Dortmund where they were located next to I./JG 1. Here they were subordinated to Major Rudolf-Emil Schnoor, the commander of I./JG 1. On 15 August 1944, 9. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing) was transferred to reinforce I./JG 1, becoming 4./JG 1. From mid-1943, the gruppe sported unique checkered cowlings; each of the three staffeln had its own colour combination.

+ Initial formation of I./JG 1 JG 1 Unit Date Original unit LocationAircraft type Stab I./JG 1 1 September 1941 Führer der Jagdkräfte Jever Bf 109 E-4 1./JG 1 7 December 1940 Jasta Holland Katwijk and Vlissingen Bf 109 E-4 2./JG 1 5 July 1941 Jasta Münster-Loddenheide Düsseldorf Bf 109 F-2 3./JG 1 1 March 1941 parts of Ergänzungsgruppe/JG 52 De Kooy Bf 109 E-4 4./JG 1 15 August 1944 9./JG 77 Aulnay-aux-Planches Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-8

Group II./JG 1

In September 1941, Hauptmann Hans von Hahn's I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing) was transferred from the Eastern Front to Germany for rest and re-supply. In November 1941, it was transferred to the northern Netherlands and on 15 January 1942 re-designated II./JG 1 in Katwijk. The group had been involved in the Battle of France and the Eastern Front campaigns as I./JG 3, and had 421 kills to its name by September 1941. While at Katwijk and Vlissingen, they were assigned the task of coastal defence and protection of shipping routes.

+ Initial formation of II./JG 1 JG 1 Unit Date Original unit Location Aircraft type Stab II./JG 1 15 January 1942 Stab I./JG 3 Katwijk Bf 109 F-4 4./JG 1 15 January 1942 From 1./JG 3 Katwijk Bf 109 F-4 5./JG 1 15 January 1942 From 2./JG 3 Woensdrecht Bf 109 F-4 6./JG 1 15 January 1942 From 3./JG 3 Katwijk Bf 109 F-4 7./JG 1 15 August 1944 4./JG 1 Connantre Bf 109F 8./JG 1 15 August 1944 7./JG 51 Connantre Bf 109F

In early 1944, the Reich Air Ministry ( — RLM) reinforced the day-fighters of "Defence of the Reich" with additional units from the Eastern Front. On 15 August 1944, II./JG 1 was increased to four staffeln with the addition of 7./JG 51 equipped with the Bf 109 G-6 "Gustav" from its base at Brest-Litovsk. On arrival in May 1944 at Störmede, they were re-equipped with the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 and re-designated 8./JG 1 on 15 August 1944. 4./JG 1 was re-designated to 7./JG 1. From this point until the end in 1945, II./JG 1 would consist of its Headquarters Flight, Stab II./JG 1, as well as 5., 6., 7. and 8./JG 1.

Group III./JG 1

By January 1942, most fighting wings (Jagdgeschwader) of the Luftwaffe had created their own training group (Ergänzungsgruppe), with which to prepare trainees for operational service with their parent wing. Each training group had its own operating squadron (Einsatzstaffel) that doubled as a supplemental squadron, consisting of instructors and trainees. It was from such Einsatzstaffel that III./JG 1 was formed. + Initial formation of III./JG 1 JG 1 Unit Date Original unit Location Aircraft type Stab III./JG 1 6 February 1942 Stab Ergänzungsgruppe/JG 52 Husum Bf 109 E-7 and E-8 7./JG 1 6 February 1942 Einsatzschwärme of the Jagdfliegerschule Gleiwitz, Breslau and Königsberg Husum Bf 109 E-7 and E-8 8./JG 1 6 February 1942 Einsatzstaffel of the Ergänzungsgruppe/JG 27 Husum Bf 109 E-7 and E-8 9./JG 1 6 February 1942 Einsatzstaffel of the Ergänzungsgruppe/JG 52 Husum Bf 109 E-7 and E-8

III./JG 1 was formed in January 1942 in Husum. 7./JG 1 consisted of supplemental flights (Einsatz-Schwärme) of fighter pilot schools (Jagdfliegerschule or JFS) Gleiwitz, Breslau and Königsberg. III./JG 1 was re-designated I./JG 11 on 1 April 1943 and a new III./JG 1 established on 23 May in Leeuwarden led by Major Karl-Heinz Leesmann. With the addition of a fourth Staffel to both I. Gruppe and II. Gruppe on 15 August 1944, the former 7. Staffel of III. Gruppe was renamed to 10. Staffel, the 8. Staffel became the 11. Staffel, and the 9. Staffel kept its designation.

Group IV./JG 1 JG 1 expanded to include a 4th group (Gruppe) around the same time as III./JG 1, and was also formed using the training groups (Ergänzungsgruppen) and training squadrons (Einsatzstaffeln) of other wings. + First formation of IV./JG 1 JG 1 Unit Date Original unit Location Aircraft type Stab IV./JG 1 January 1942 Stab of Ergänzungsgruppe/JG 53 Vannes Bf 109 E-7, F-1 and F-2 10./JG 1 January 1942 1. (Einsatzstaffel) of Ergänzungsgruppe/JG 2 Vannes Bf 109 E-7, F-1 and F-2 11./JG 1 January 1942 1. (Einsatzstaffel) of Ergänzungsgruppe/JG 26 Vannes Bf 109 E-7, F-1 and F-2 12./JG 1 January 1942 1. (Einsatzstaffel) of Ergänzungsgruppe/JG 51 Vannes Bf 109 E-7, F-1 and F-2

On 21 March 1942 IV./JG 1 was re-designated as III./JG 5. It was re-established on the same day in Werneuchen with elements of the previous IV./JG 1 and training squadrons of fighter schools 1 and 4. On 1 April 1943, IV./JG 1 was re-designated as I./JG 1 + Second formation of IV./JG 1 JG 1 Unit Date Original unit Location Aircraft type Stab IV./JG 1 15 March 1942 — Werneuchen Bf 109 E-1, E-3, E-4, E-7, F-1, F-2 and F-4 10./JG 1 March 1942 Einsatzschwarm of Jagdfliegerschule 1 Werneuchen Bf 109 E-1, E-3, E-4, E-7, F-1, F-2 and F-4 11./JG 1 March 1942 Einsatzschwarm of Jagdfliegerschule 4 Werneuchen Bf 109 E-1, E-3, E-4, E-7, F-1, F-2 and F-4 12./JG 1 March 1942 Remnants of previous IV./JG 1 Werneuchen Bf 109 E-1, E-3, E-4, E-7, F-1, F-2 and F-4

Aircraft of Jagdgeschwader 1

When JG 1 was formed, it primarily used the Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-1. In mid-1942, II., III. and IV./JG 1 started converting to the Fw 190; although I./JG 1 continued to operate the Bf 109 E and F and later G models, including the specialised F-4 and G-1 and G-6 high-altitude fighter with GM-1 nitrous oxide power boost. By 1943, I./JG 1 had largely converted to the Fw 190 A, while III./JG 1 returned to the Bf 109 G.