Author Topic: Fun fact and a little history for JG54  (Read 493 times)

Offline captain1ma

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Fun fact and a little history for JG54
« on: August 23, 2026, 04:45:38 PM »
ive been a member of JG54 since a pretty much started this game. i was brought up in a germany for the first 10 years of my life.
for the record i was born in a military hospital in nuremburg, germany.
my grandmother lived in a small town called herzogenaurach, just north west of nuremburg germany.
the best times of my life were spend in this little town and i never really knew much about it.

then i joined JG54. in 2011 we decided to meet in Dayton Ohio at the Airforce museum. so we did the museum and had a great time.
in the gift shop i bought a book on ME-109's. after i got home, i started reading the book and saw the name "herzogenaurach". i drilled down on it.
turns out my "home town" was the training base of 1/JG54?!!! WHAT ARE THE ODDS?!!

so anyway the point of the story is that this is a list of all the JG groups that worked or were started in Herzogenaurach.
im headed there next month, and i thought some of you might like this story or find it interesting.

Several Luftwaffe fighter units (Jagdgeschwader or JG groups and wings) were stationed or formed at the air base in Herzogenaurach during World War II, including:

Jagdgeschwader 54 (I./JG 54): The 1st Group had direct roots in pre-war I./JG 70 which was formed in Herzogenaurach in July 1939 and redesignated as I./JG 54 in September 1939. While the rest of JG 54 fought in the invasion of Poland, I./JG 54 stayed stationed in Herzogenaurach for homeland defense and training.

Jagdgeschwader 70 (JG 70): Formed at Herzogenaurach on July 15, 1939, utilizing Messerschmitt Bf 109D fighters before being redesignated into I./JG 54 in September 1939.

Jagdgeschwader 104 (JG 104): The headquarters (Stab) of this fighter training wing was established at Fürth-Herzogenaurach on March 20, 1943 (originating from Jagdfliegerschule 4) before relocating to Roth in April 1944.

Jagdgeschwader 333 (JG 333): Stationed at the Herzogenaurach base prior to the war in 1938 flying Arado Ar 68 biplanes, later re-designated into other primary Luftwaffe wings.

Jagdgeschwader 5 (I./JG 5): Elements/detachments of I./JG 5 (such as components commanded by ace Horst Carganico) used Herzogenaurach as a base during later stages of the war in 1944.


Offline hazmatt

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Re: Fun fact and a little history for JG54
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2026, 04:20:08 PM »
That's fascinating stuff. I've read many books written by Luftwaffe pilots and watched many interviews as I've always been amazed that they were still willing to fight when the odds got so lopsided. I've read accounts that even during the last month of the war, JV44 was able to shoot down around 50 enemy aircraft. Who can forget Hartman getting his 352nd kill the day the war ended shooting down a Yak flying celebratory acrobatics over the advancing Russians. Truly fascinating stuff to me. Thanks for sharing.
« Last Edit: August 24, 2026, 04:50:28 PM by hazmatt »

Offline Eagler

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Re: Fun fact and a little history for JG54
« Reply #2 on: August 24, 2026, 04:37:10 PM »
Very cool Jaeger1  :aok

Thanks for sharing  :cheers:

Eagler
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Offline Oldman731

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Re: Fun fact and a little history for JG54
« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2026, 06:16:32 PM »
I've always been amazed that they were still willing to fight when the odds got so lopsided.


Yes.  Similar to the Polish pilots in 1939.

- oldman

Offline hazmatt

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Re: Fun fact and a little history for JG54
« Reply #4 on: August 25, 2026, 01:16:01 PM »

Yes.  Similar to the Polish pilots in 1939.

- oldman

I don't know much about the Polish pilots. Maybe I'll look into that.

Offline potsNpans

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Re: Fun fact and a little history for JG54
« Reply #5 on: August 28, 2026, 11:53:01 AM »
The spirit of JG 54 Grunherz are strong with this one.
Had many a fun times fighting them in the ol' AvA and beyond

Offline captain1ma

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Re: Fun fact and a little history for JG54
« Reply #6 on: August 28, 2026, 05:15:14 PM »
The spirit of JG 54 Grunherz are strong with this one.
Had many a fun times fighting them in the ol' AvA and beyond

beware, the old crew may be coming back. i have 2 of them plus myself in the FSO.