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''Jagdgeschwader'' 11 (JG 11) was a German fighter wing ((ドイツ語:Jagdgeschwader)) of the Luftwaffe during World War II. Its primary role was the defense of Northern Germany against Allied day bomber raids. Formed in April 1943, the unit primarily used the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Focke-Wulf Fw 190. The growing daylight bomber offensive of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) 8th Air Force forced the Luftwaffe to augment its day fighter strength. It countered these bombing raids by expanding the number of daylight fighter units assigned to the Defense of the Reich ((ドイツ語:Reichsverteidigung)). Due to a scarcity of resources and trained pilots, the Luftwaffe increased its strength by splitting ''Jagdgeschwader 1'' to form ''Jagdgeschwader 11'' (JG 11). JG 11 was initially based along the North German coast, protecting the northern flank of occupied Europe. During the summer of 1943, as the unescorted bombers penetrated deeper into Germany, JG 11 saw intensive action, with about 40 percent of some 1,200 'kill' claims submitted by the Western Front fighter wings in this period being credited to JG 1 and JG 11 .〔 JG 11 trialled new tactics such as dropping 250 kg bombs on top of the bomber formations or using the heavy-calibre ''Werfer-Granate 21'' unguided, underwing-launched rockets. In spring of 1944 the introduction of P-51 Mustang made the job of units such as JG 11 very difficult as they fought through the escorts to reach the bombers. Several measures were introduced to counter the bomber offensive such as the introduction of Bf 109–G high altitude aircraft with a pressurized cockpit. In January 1945, the Luftwaffe made a last-ditch counterattack to stem the Allied offensives with Operation Baseplate. JG 11 targeted the USAAF base at Asch called Y–29 and Ophoven. What followed became known as the "Legend of Y–29". JG 11 lost its commander and several group commanders with many pilots. In mid 1945 JG 11 moved to Poland, although it later withdrew back to the Western Front and surrendered to British forces in early May 1945. ==Formation history== Under the increasing threat of the Allied heavy bombers, the ''Luftwaffe'' decided to augment its fighter strength by creating a new wing ((ドイツ語:Geschwader)) by splitting ''Jagdgeschwader 1'' (JG 1). On 31 March 1943, JG 1 had four component groups ((ドイツ語:Gruppen)) I., II., III. and IV./JG 1. Of these III./JG 1, located in Husum, was redesignated as I./JG 11 while I./JG 1, under Günther Beise, located in Jever became II./JG 11. A new III./JG 11 was raised under (ドイツ語:Hauptmann) Ernst-Günther Heinze at Neumünster, equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6. A headquarters flight ((ドイツ語:Geschwaderstab)) was formed in Jever. Former group commander ((ドイツ語:Gruppenkommandeur)) of II./JG 77, Major Anton Mader was appointed to command the new unit.〔Weal (1999), pp. 50–53.〕〔Weal (1996), page 44.〕〔Caldwell & Muller (2007), page 80.〕 The new unit was responsible for the day defense of the German Bight, southern Norway and western Denmark. This was previously the eastern portion of JG 1's area of responsibility. JG 11 reported to the Fighter Commander of the German Bight ((ドイツ語:Jagdfliegerführer Deutsche Bucht)) in the 2nd Fighter Division ((ドイツ語:2. Jagd-Division)). By mid-1943, JG 11 came under the control of the ''Luftwaffe'' Commander Center ((ドイツ語:Luftwaffenbefehlshaber Mitte)) (Lw Bfh), which later formed Air Fleet Germany ((ドイツ語:Luftflotte Reich)).〔〔〔 In late June 1943 ''Hauptmann'' Günther Specht replaced Major Adolf Dickfeld as II./JG 11's commander. A perfectionist and one of the most competent group commanders, Specht led almost every mission after taking command. In a few months II./JG 11 became one of the most effective day fighter units.〔Caldwell & Muller 2007, p. 36–37, 91.〕〔Weal, (2006) p. 26〕〔Parker, (1998) p. 385.〕 In mid-November 1943 Mader had a public fall-out with ''Generalmajor'' Max Ibel of ''2. Jagd-Division'' and was sent to the Eastern Front to command Jagdgeschwader 54. He was replaced by ''Oberstleutnant'' Hermann Graf, an Eastern Front Bf 109 ace and the first pilot to claim 200 victories.〔〔Caldwell & Muller 2007, p. 156.〕 1./JG 11 relocated to Salzwedel and 2./JG 11 to Lüneburg in April 1944 remaining there until June 1944, while Specht was transferred to ''Geschwaderstab'' JG 11 as a ''Kommodore''-In-Training. He was replaced by Major Günther Rall from JG 52 as ''Gruppenkommandeur'' of II./JG 11, located at Eschborn being rebuilt. III./JG 11 was dispatched to Minsk in anticipation of the impending Soviet offensive, but its ten-week stay did little to effect the outcome of the land battle.〔Caldwell & Muller (2007), pp. 184–85〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「Jagdgeschwader 11」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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