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''Jagdgeschwader'' 1 (JG 1) was a German World War II fighter unit or "wing" which used the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Focke-Wulf Fw 190 aircraft, between 1940–1944. The name of the unit derives from ''Jagd'', meaning "hunt" and ''Geschwader'', meaning "wing". First formed in May 1939 in eastern Prussia, I./JG 1 was one of the original groups created by the ''Luftwaffe'' as part of its expansion plans. Between 1940 and 1942, JG 1 operated primarily over the Western Front and northern occupied Europe. During the initial days of the war, JG 1 faced little resistance, apart from occasional Royal Air Force (RAF) excursions. The unit was rarely engaged in large-scale confrontations during this time. From late 1942 onwards it was tasked with defence of the Reich. After D-Day, elements of JG 1 were moved to France and were tasked with air support to the ''Wehrmacht Heer'', along with their air defence role. Operation Bodenplatte severely reduced the strength of JG 1. Towards the end of the war, the unit was disbanded and its remaining pilots and aircraft were re-organized. What remained of these groups surrendered to Allied forces at the end of the war.〔(II.Jagdgeschwader 1 ).〕〔Weal (2006), p. 12.〕〔Parker (1998) pp 409–413.〕 JG 1 was the first unit to attempt 'aerial bombing' techniques against the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) heavy bomber formations. It was the only unit to be equipped with the Heinkel He 162 jet fighter. In 1944 the "''Oesau''" suffix was added to the unit's title, after its late ''Geschwaderkommodore'' ''Oberst'' Walter Oesau (127 kills), who was killed in action. Some 700 enemy aircraft were claimed shot down during the war by the unit. ==Formation history== In 1938 the ''Luftwaffe'' envisaged a five-year expansion plan that utilized the single-engined Messerschmitt Bf 109s for short-range domestic defence duties and the twin-engined Messerschmitt Bf 110 for external long-range offensive roles. In the summer of 1939, Luftwaffe replaced its long-term expansionist plans for fast mobilization with creation of five new ''Geschwader'' starting in July 1939. Even those plans failed to materialize and several groups (''Gruppen'') were created from existing groups. One such group, I./''Jagdgeschwader'' 131 (JG 131), was thus created from II./''Jagdgeschwader'' 132 "Richthofen" (JG 132). The new group, I./JG 131, was commanded by Major Bernhard Woldenga, and was based in Jesau, East Prussia (modern Nivenskoye in Russia). The unit was re-equipped with the Bf 109E by June 1939.〔Weal (2001), p. 9.〕〔Weal (2003), p. 6.〕 In May 1939, the entire organization of the Luftwaffe was changed. As a result, a large number of units were re-designated and many command title changes took place. I./JG 131 was given the designation I./JG 1. The high-profile and most senior home front wing, JG 2 "Richthofen" had coveted that designation, but was left in "second place".〔Weal (2003), p. 10.〕 However, on 7 May, just before the invasion of France and the Low Countries, I./JG 1 was merged with ''Jagdgeschwader'' 27 and re-designated as III./''Jagdgeschwader'' 27 (JG 27). This temporarily dissolved JG 1 as a unit. Seven months later, on 7 December 1940 a new unit I./JG 1 was formed at Jever out of several defensive units based on the North Sea coast.〔Weal (2003), pp. 12–13.〕〔Caldwell, Muller (2007), p. 38.〕 JG 1's role was to provide air cover over a large portion of the North Sea coastline. Its commander was ''Oberstleutnant'' Carl-August Schumacher. Their operational area stretched from the Netherlands to Southern Norway. On 5 January 1942, Schumacher handed over command to Major Erich von Selle to become commander of the fighter forces for ''Luftflotte'' 5 (''Jagdfliegerführer Norwegen''). 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 1 (World War II)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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