Jagdgeschwader 76
Encyclopedia
Jagdgeschwader 76 was a Luftwaffe
fighter
-wing
of World War II
. JG 76 was first formed in 1939 in Wien
-Aspern
with only I. Gruppe (1st group). The Geschwader was renamed II./Jagdgeschwader 54
on 4 July 1940.
The Geschwader was recreated in July 1944 at Salzburg
from the Stab
/Zerstörergeschwader 76
. From 22 July 1944 to August the gruppe was based at Rotenburg
and Athis
in France.
the unit claimed some 69 Allied aircraft downed, with Ltn. Roloff von Aspern (8), Ltn. Hans Philipp
and Ofw. Max Stotz
(both 7) Oblt. Dietrich Hrabak
(6) the top scorers.
. Some 46 aircraft were claimed shot down 1944-45.
On 28 August 1944 six USAAF P-38s were claimed by III./JG 76 over Creil
.
11 September saw 5 P-51s claimed downed near Kassel
, while on 12 September 1944 seven B-17s were shot down.
19 September 1944 26 Bf 109Gs of I./JG 76 saw action over Arnhem
and lost two aircraft, in return Uffz.Ibold of 2./JG 76 claimed a P-51. The next day 15 fighters made low-level strafing attacks on troops around Nijmegen. No losses were suffered. On 24 September 26 Bf 109's joined III./JG 11 and IV./JG 54 as part of the temporary tactical formation Gefechstverband Späthe in anti-fighter sweeps over Holland. Two fighters were lost on 26 September flying ground attack missions.
On 27 September 1944 a formation of some 29 I./JG 76 Bf 109s were attacked by No 412 and 443 RCAF Spitfires over the Arnhem-Nijmegen area. Five Bf 109s were lost in return for five Spitfires claimed shot down. On 29 September 1944 eight further aircraft were lost, in return for six Spitfires and a P-47 claimed, Ltn. Böer claiming two.Ltn. Fick, of 2./JG 76 claimed a Spitfire on 2 October 1944. Thirteen P-47s were claimed over October.
IV./JG 300 was formed from elements of I./JG 76 at the beginning of October 1944.
Under the administrative control of II./JG 52 during October to November 1944 Stab./JG 76 was at based at Felsoe-Abrany before moving in Imely in Hungary.
The unit was disbanded on 24 April 1945 in Wien
.
III./JG 76
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
fighter
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
-wing
Wing (air force unit)
Wing is a term used by different military aviation forces for a unit of command. The terms wing, group or Staffel are used for different-sized units from one country or service to another....
of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. JG 76 was first formed in 1939 in Wien
Wien
Wien is the German language name for Vienna, the city and federal state in Austria.* Wien , in Vienna, Austria* Theater an der Wien, a theater in Vienna located at the former river WienWien may also refer to:...
-Aspern
Aspern
Aspern is part of Donaustadt, the 22nd district of Vienna.In 1904, the formerly independent village was incorporated into Vienna as part of the 21st district, Floridsdorf. Only in 1946 did it become part of the newly created 22nd district, Donaustadt. The area is known because of the Battle of...
with only I. Gruppe (1st group). The Geschwader was renamed II./Jagdgeschwader 54
Jagdgeschwader 54
Jagdgeschwader 54 Grünherz was a Luftwaffe fighter wing during the Second World War. It was known as the Green Hearts Wing, and it was the second highest scoring wing of all time, JG 52 being the highest...
on 4 July 1940.
The Geschwader was recreated in July 1944 at Salzburg
Salzburg
-Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...
from the Stab
Stab (Luftwaffe designation)
During World War II, the suffix Stab was used in the German Luftwaffe to designate a headquarters unit. This applied to subordinate units in each Gruppe or Geschwader — the equivalent units to wings and groups in other air forces.These command units used the green colour of their aircraft...
/Zerstörergeschwader 76
Zerstörergeschwader 76
Zerstörergeschwader 76 or ZG 76 was a Luftwaffe heavy/destroyer Fighter Aircraft-wing of World War II.-History:...
. From 22 July 1944 to August the gruppe was based at Rotenburg
Rotenburg
Rotenburg is the name of the following three towns in Germany:*Rotenburg an der Wümme, near Verden in Lower Saxony*Rotenburg an der Fulda, near Kassel in Hesse*Rothenburg ob der Tauber, in the Franconia region of Bavaria...
and Athis
Athis
Athis may refer to:*The name of several places in France :**Athis, a commune in the Marne département**Athis-Mons, a commune in the Essonne département, a suburb of Paris, France**Gue d'Athis, a fort near Fleury-sur-Orneor:...
in France.
1939-40
The unit participated in the invasion of Poland, claiming 6 aircraft shot down. JG 76 then flew operations through the summer of 1940, and during the Battle of FranceBattle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
the unit claimed some 69 Allied aircraft downed, with Ltn. Roloff von Aspern (8), Ltn. Hans Philipp
Hans Philipp
Lieutenant Colonel Hans Philipp was a German World War II fighter ace who served in the Luftwaffe from 1936 until he was killed in action 8 October 1943 by a P-47 Thunderbolt-pilot. It is believed that he was shot down by Robert S. Johnson...
and Ofw. Max Stotz
Max Stotz
Max Stotz was a German former Luftwaffe flying ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat...
(both 7) Oblt. Dietrich Hrabak
Dietrich Hrabak
Dietrich "Dieter" Hrabak was a German World War II fighter ace who served in the Luftwaffe from 1935 until the end of World War II on 8 May 1945 and again in the Bundeswehr from 1955 until his retirement on 30 September 1970...
(6) the top scorers.
1944
JG 76 saw very limited combat in the autumn of 1944, mainly during operations in response to Operation Market GardenOperation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden was an unsuccessful Allied military operation, fought in the Netherlands and Germany in the Second World War. It was the largest airborne operation up to that time....
. Some 46 aircraft were claimed shot down 1944-45.
On 28 August 1944 six USAAF P-38s were claimed by III./JG 76 over Creil
Creil
Creil is a large town in northern France. It is designated municipally as a commune within the département of Oise.-History:Archaeological remains in the area include a Neolithic site, as well as a late Iron Age necropolis, perhaps belonging to a Gaulish fortress or protected camp.The city itself...
.
11 September saw 5 P-51s claimed downed near Kassel
Kassel
Kassel is a town located on the Fulda River in northern Hesse, Germany. It is the administrative seat of the Kassel Regierungsbezirk and the Kreis of the same name and has approximately 195,000 inhabitants.- History :...
, while on 12 September 1944 seven B-17s were shot down.
19 September 1944 26 Bf 109Gs of I./JG 76 saw action over Arnhem
Arnhem
Arnhem is a city and municipality, situated in the eastern part of the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of Gelderland and located near the river Nederrijn as well as near the St. Jansbeek, which was the source of the city's development. Arnhem has 146,095 residents as one of the...
and lost two aircraft, in return Uffz.Ibold of 2./JG 76 claimed a P-51. The next day 15 fighters made low-level strafing attacks on troops around Nijmegen. No losses were suffered. On 24 September 26 Bf 109's joined III./JG 11 and IV./JG 54 as part of the temporary tactical formation Gefechstverband Späthe in anti-fighter sweeps over Holland. Two fighters were lost on 26 September flying ground attack missions.
On 27 September 1944 a formation of some 29 I./JG 76 Bf 109s were attacked by No 412 and 443 RCAF Spitfires over the Arnhem-Nijmegen area. Five Bf 109s were lost in return for five Spitfires claimed shot down. On 29 September 1944 eight further aircraft were lost, in return for six Spitfires and a P-47 claimed, Ltn. Böer claiming two.Ltn. Fick, of 2./JG 76 claimed a Spitfire on 2 October 1944. Thirteen P-47s were claimed over October.
IV./JG 300 was formed from elements of I./JG 76 at the beginning of October 1944.
Under the administrative control of II./JG 52 during October to November 1944 Stab./JG 76 was at based at Felsoe-Abrany before moving in Imely in Hungary.
The unit was disbanded on 24 April 1945 in Wien
Wien
Wien is the German language name for Vienna, the city and federal state in Austria.* Wien , in Vienna, Austria* Theater an der Wien, a theater in Vienna located at the former river WienWien may also refer to:...
.
Geschwaderkommodore
- Major Anton HacklAnton HacklAnton "Toni" Hackl was a German former Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords during World War II...
, August 1944 – October 1944 - Major Ernst DüllbergErnst DüllbergErnst Düllberg was a former German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II...
, 7 October 1944 – April 1945
Gruppenkommandeure
I./JG 76- Hptm Wilfried von Müller-Rienzburg, 1 May 1939 - 10 Jan 1940
- Maj Günther Blumensaat, 10 Jan 1940 - 15 Feb 1940
- Obstlt Richard Kraut, 15 Feb 1940 - 4 Jul 1940
- Hptm Heinrich Offterdinger, Jul 1944 - Oct 1944
III./JG 76
- Hptm Egon Albrecht, July 1944 - 25 Aug 1944
- Hptm Hans Morr, Aug 1944 - 25 Oct 1944