This article is about the Second World War military unit. For the First World War military unit, see Jagdgeschwader II.
Jagdgeschwader 2
Unit insignia
Active
14 March 1936–1 May 1939 as Jagdgeschwader Richthofen, JG 132 and JG 131 1 May 1939–8 May 1945 as JG 2
Country
Nazi Germany
Branch
Luftwaffe
Type
Fighter Aircraft
Role
Air superiority Fighter bomber Surgical strike Fighter escort
Size
Air force wing
Patron
Manfred von Richthofen
Engagements
World War II
Commanders
Notable commanders
Helmut Wick Walter Oesau
Insignia
Cuff title
Military unit
Jagdgeschwader 2 (JG 2) "Richthofen" was a German fighter wing during World War II. JG 2 operated the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Focke-Wulf Fw 190 single-seat, single-engine interceptor aircraft.
Named after the famed World War I flying ace Manfred von Richthofen, the origins of the wing can be traced to 1934. Following the German invasion of Poland in September 1939 which began World War II, JG 2 served protecting the German border with France during the Phoney War. On 10 May 1940 it served in the Battle of Belgium and Battle of France. Thereafter it fought in the Battle of Britain and then remained on the English Channel front until September 1944. Elements of JG 2 fought in the latter stages of the North African Campaign, notably in the Battle of Tunisia in 1942 and 1943.
After the expulsion of German forces from France and Belgium following the Normandy landings, JG 2 served in the Defence of the Reich and fought on the Western Front, most notably at the Battle of the Bulge in the winter, 1944/45. JG 2 surrendered in May 1945.
Only three of JG 2's ten wartime Geschwaderkommodore survived World War II—four were killed while serving with JG 2, the highest fatality rate of any German fighter wing.[1] JG 2 claimed 2,700 Allied aircraft destroyed at the cost of 750+ pilots killed or missing.[2]
Jagdgeschwader2 (JG 2) "Richthofen" was a German fighter wing during World War II. JG 2 operated the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Focke-Wulf Fw 190 single-seat...
Wing), before he was transferred to Jagdgeschwader2 "Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing) in November 1942. With JG 2, he commanded 3. Staffel, 10. Staffel...
Germany in 1937. Following flight training he was posted to Jagdgeschwader2 "Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing) in 1939. He fought in the Battle of France...
Mitteldeutschland des DLV. In 1938, the wing was renamed Jagdgeschwader 131 and in May 1939 became Jagdgeschwader2 "Richthofen". The second formation of JG 132 in...
Jagdgeschwader 7 (JG 7) Nowotny was a Luftwaffe fighter wing during World War II and the first operational jet fighter unit in the world. It was created...
1936 and was trained as a fighter pilot. He was assigned to Jagdgeschwader2 "Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing), and saw combat in the Battles of France...
as flight duties) to the commander of the III fighter Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader2 (JG 2, Second Fighter Wing) based in Morlaix in Brittany. On 23 June,...
became the leader of Jasta 11. Later he led the larger fighter wing Jagdgeschwader I, better known as "The Flying Circus" or "Richthofen's Circus" because...
victory on 18 January 1938. During World War II, he commanded Jagdgeschwader2 and Jagdgeschwader 27, and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross...
was serving with Jagdgeschwader 131 (JG 131—131st Fighter Wing), which on 1 May 1939 was redesignated Jagdgeschwader2 "Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing)...
Cross in July 1941. In late 1942, Dahmer was transferred to Jagdgeschwader2 "Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing) which was fighting on the Western Front...
Jagdgeschwader 27 (JG 27) "Afrika" was a fighter wing of the Luftwaffe during World War II. The wing was given the name "Africa" for serving in the North...
invaded Poland. On 6 December 1939, Meimberg was posted to Jagdgeschwader2 "Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing), named after World War I fighter ace Manfred...
he was appointed Geschwaderkommodore (wing commander) of Jagdgeschwader2 "Richthofen" (JG 2–2nd Fighter Wing) and claimed his 40th aerial victory during...
Jagdgeschwader 26 (JG 26) Schlageter was a German fighter-wing of World War II. It was named after Albert Leo Schlageter, a World War I veteran, Freikorps...
posted to Jagdgeschwader2 "Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing), taking command of its 2. Staffel. The Staffel was subordinated to III. Gruppe of JG 2 headed...
the Luftwaffe from 1934 until his death in 1944. He rose to command Jagdgeschwader 1, which was named in his honor after his death. He served with the...
the Luftwaffe in 1936. At the start of World war II, he served with Jagdgeschwader2 "Richthofen". He claimed his first aerial victory on 14 May 1940 during...
training, Lemke was posted to the 1. Staffel (1st squadron) of Jagdgeschwader2 "Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing) in October 1942. He claimed his first aerial...
Jagdgeschwader 5 (JG 5) was a German Luftwaffe fighter wing during World War II. It was created to operate in the far north of Europe, namely Norway, Scandinavia...
Oberfeldwebel (staff sergeant), was posted to the 2. Staffel (2nd squadron) of Jagdgeschwader2 "Richthofen" (JG 2—2nd Fighter Wing), named after the World War...
[citation needed] The Luftwaffe fighter force comprised Jagdgeschwader2 (JG2) and Jagdgeschwader 26 (JG26), with about 120 serviceable fighters, mostly...
Global Information
Nazi Germany