Crumpp.........

[StarOfAfrica2]

I have been looking around for information, artwork, and/or pictures to be added to our squad webpage.  In searching, however, I have come upon some questions.  The squad ingame is JG 44.  I cant really find much about the group, other than an occasional pilot bio that lists JG 44 as one of the units flown with during his career.  What I do find alot of is references to JV 44, the 262 squadron.  Some links on the internet seem to be information about the same people.  So my question is, is the squadron properly named Jagdegeshcwader 44 or is it Jagdverband 44?  And if JV 44 refers to the 262's, does JG 44 refer to the 190D-9's that flew top cover for them on takeoffs and landings?  Or are they all JV 44, with the 262's coded as "white" and the 190's coded as "red" as I suspect?  

Either way, the squadron here in AH is just for fun, but the history buff in me would like to know for sure.  

Thanks!



I'm seriously considering ordering one of these!

[StarOfAfrica2]

^punt^

[Wotan]

There was no JG 44 (JG = Jagdgeschwader).

As you properly stated the image you posted above was a 262 of JV 44 (JV = Jagdverband).

In reference to the D-9s flying top cover for JV 44's 262s:

A small group of pilots flying 190D-9s called JV 44  Platzschutzstaffel was hand picked by Galland to cover the 262s on take off and landing.

JV 44  Platzschutzstaffel was also known as the 'The Würger-Staffel' or sometimes referred to as the 'Sachsenberg Schwärm'.

The unit was lead by:

Lt Heinz Sachsenberg

The other memebers were:

Hptm. Waldemar Wübke

Oblt Klaus Faber

Fw. Bodo Dirschauer

Lt. Karl-Heinz Hofmann

They had 3 D-9s and 1 D-11 available:

Lt Heinz Sachsenberg
Fw 190D-9 'Rot 1'
Verkaaft's mei Gwand 'I foahr in himmel!

Hptm. Waldemar Wübke
Fw 190D-9 'Rot 3'
Im Auftrage der Reichsbahn

(pilot unkonown, most likely a reserve aircraft)
Fw 190D-11 'Rot 4'
Der nächste Herr dieselbe Dame!

Oblt Klaus Faber
Fw 190D-9  'Rot 13'
"Rein muß err" und wenn wir beide weinen!

As you see the Platzschutzstaffel had rot (red) numbering and they also painted the underside of their D-9s with red and white stripes so that they stood out in order to be seen by flak units.

The best book on JV 44 Platzschutzstaffel is (currently out of print)

"Doras of the Galland Circus" by Jerry Crandall

ISBN 0-9660706-2-3

JV 44 Platzschutzstaffel (we later changed the squad name to  The Würger-Staffel) was a sqaudron in AH for over 2 years before we disbanded and reformed under the name 3./JG 2 (after Swager disbanded 3./JG 2).

The closest reference I have to a JG 44 is JG 144 which  was only in exist for a short time.

Formed on 1.11.38 from III./JG 334
re-designated ZG 144 on 1.1.39

JG 144 was then in turn re-designated  II./ZG 76 on 1.5.39.

Regards,

Wotan mit uns!!!

[StarOfAfrica2]

Thank you for the info Wotan!  It is much appreciated.  I'll do some searching for the out of print book.

[Wurger]

There is also a very nice book on JV44 by Robert Forsyth put out by Classic Publications.  Unfortunately I think it is also out of print.  Here is a website with some good info:

http://home.att.net/~jv44/realjv44_1.htm

In AW and AH1 I was part of a squad called JV44 'Experten' until we changed the name to The Flying Circus

However, with a name like StarOfAfrica I would have expected your squad to be called JG27!

Bazi

[StarOfAfrica2]

Well, firstly, JG 27 is already taken.  The guys in that squad are good guys and I have no reason to mess with them or their squad.  I joined JG 44 because they are fun to fly with, really emphasize teamwork and being there to get your back when anyone is up, and dont really try to put rules on anyone other than respect everyone else and have a good time.  And because flying with them makes my time online more enjoyable.  I'm not to worried if the naming is dead on for an AH squad, I just would like to know for my own personal curiousity what is what.  

[GScholz]

"Wotan mit uns!!!"