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 member, and posthumous Nazi martyr, arrested and executed by the French for sabotage in 1923. The wing fought predominantly against the Western Allies.
Formed in May 1939, JG 26 spent the Phoney War period guarding Germany's western borders following the German invasion of Poland and the outbreak of World War II. In May and June 1940 it served in the Battle of Belgium and Battle of France. From July 1940 it operated over England in the Battle of Britain under the command of Adolf Galland, future General der Jagdflieger. JG 26 remained in France and Belgium fighting against the RAF Fighter Command Circus offensive in 1941 and 1942, with considerable tactical success. In 1943 it faced the USAAF Eighth Air Force, and along with the rest of the Luftwaffe fighter force, was worn down over Western Europe combating the Combined Bomber Offensive in Defence of the Reich. In 1944, JG 26 resisted the Normandy landings and served as a "tactical" or frontline unit during Operation Market Garden and Battle of the Bulge. It continued to fight up to the unconditional surrender of Wehrmacht forces in Western Europe on 8 May 1945.
Elements of JG 26 served in other theatres. A single staffel (squadron) served in the North African Campaign and Battle of the Mediterranean. One gruppe (group) and a single staffel, fought on the Eastern Front from January to June 1943. A planned move in full to the Soviet Union did not materialise. JG 26 was well known by Allied air forces. The Royal Air Force (RAF) called the Joachim Müncheberg-led II. Gruppe the "Abbeville Boys" after their home base.[1]
Jagdgeschwader26 (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...
of Britain. In November 1940, Priller was transferred to Jagdgeschwader26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) and was given command of the 1st Squadron...
including four four-engined bombers. Born in Koblenz, Dahmer served with Jagdgeschwader26 "Schlageter" (JG 26th—26th Fighter Wing) during the Battle of France...
Gruppenkommandeur of the III./Jagdgeschwader26 "Schlageter" 3rd Oak Leaves on 24 September 1940 as Major and Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader26 "Schlageter" 1st...
renamed and reorganized a few times and became part of Jagdgeschwader26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) In February 1945. Dortenmann was awarded...
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...
squadron) of Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53–53rd Fighter Wing). In August 1940, Pingel was transferred to Jagdgeschwader26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter...
year, he served as an instructor and was then posted to Jagdgeschwader26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) in July 1940. Following his 24th aerial...
completed his training as a pilot in 1941. He was assigned to Jagdgeschwader26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) on the Channel Front which was tasked...
Walter was a fighter pilot on the Western Front, flying a Bf 109 for Jagdgeschwader26 in the first six months of World War II; he eventually became the...
Soviet aircraft destroyed. In July 1941, he was assigned to Jagdgeschwader26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing), operating on the Western Front. On 29...
In July 1941, he was transferred to Jagdgeschwader26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing). Elements of JG 26 were moved to the Eastern Front in early...
where he was appointed Staffelkapitän of 12. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing), replacing Oberleutnant Erwin Leykauf...
had claimed 17 aerial victories in 107 combat missions. Flying with Jagdgeschwader26 "Schlageter" on the Western Front, he was killed in combat with Royal...
Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing). On 21 September, he was transferred to III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen"...
fighter pilot. Following flight training, he was posted to Jagdgeschwader26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) in December 1939. Flying with this wing...
1 May 1939 in Düsseldorf, Jagdgeschwader26 "Schlageter" (JG 26—26th Fighter Wing) was created by renaming Jagdgeschwader 132 (JG 132—132nd Fighter Wing)...
in November 1938 was initiated by renaming Jagdgeschwader 234 to JG 132 which then became Jagdgeschwader26 "Schlageter" in May 1939. I. Gruppe of JG 132...
appointed Gruppenkommandeur (group commander) of II. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader26 "Schlageter" (JG 26–26th Fighter Wing) and received the Knight's Cross of the...
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...
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