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| Jagdverband 44 | |
|---|---|
 Unit insignia | |
| Active | March 1945 – May 1945 |
| Country |  Nazi Germany |
| Branch |  Luftwaffe |
| Type | Special operations forces |
| Role | Aerial reconnaissance Aerial warfare Air combat manoeuvring Airstrike Close air support Special operations Tactical bombing |
| Garrison/HQ | Ainring |
| Engagements | Defense of the Reich |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Adolf Galland Heinz Bär |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Me 262,Fw 190D |
Jagdverband 44 (JV 44) was a German Luftwaffe special operations unit duringWorld War II. It was formed during the last months ofWorld War II to operate theMesserschmitt Me 262 jet fighter.[1]
The commander of JV 44 was GeneralAdolf Galland, the formerGeneral der Jagdflieger (General of Fighter pilots) who had recently been sacked from his staff post byHermann Göring for criticizing the operational policies, strategic doctrine, and tactics mandated by theLuftwaffe High Command in the "Fighter Pilots' Revolt". Galland was charged with setting up a small Me 262 unit to demonstrate the capabilities of the jet fighter, as Göring taunted him to "prove what you've always said about the 262's great potential."[2] Additionally, Göring saw this as a way of possibly disposing of Galland and fellow members of the Fighter Pilot's Revolt, rather than forcing their suicides, which had been overruled by Hitler.[2]
JV 44 comprised a core of experienced pilots (Experten) chosen from Galland's former staff or recruited from units which had been disbanded or were being re-equipped. JV 44 performed well during its brief history, achieving a 4-to-1 kill ratio. However, it had relatively few operational jet planes available for any single sortie and was repeatedly forced to relocate due to the approach of Allied ground forces. Its complement included 50 pilots and 25 airplanes.
Galland was injured on 26 April after attackingB-26 bombers, andHeinrich Bär assumed command of the unit. As theGerman surrender approached, Galland disbanded the unit, releasing any pilots willing to leave, and lead the rest to the American occupation zone.[3] This "whole-unit" defection was a major part ofOperation LUSTY, as the Americans gained a wealth of knowledge about jet technology (similar toOperation Paperclip).
Many JV-44 pilots went on to fly for theBundesluftwaffe post-war, and formed the backbone of the establishment of theBundeswehr.
JV-44 was renowned among thelate-war Luftwaffe for being a "Squadron of Experts," as many aces transferred to the unit in the final months of the war. A (false) rumor was even started to the effect that having theKnight's Cross was a prerequisite to joining the unit.[4] Some of the most notable pilots were:
| Named | |
|---|---|
| Numbered | |
| Training | |
| Special | |
