Ergänzungs-Jagdgeschwader

{{Short description|Luftwaffe training unit}} {{Infobox military unit | unit_name =Replacement Fighter Wing | native_name =Ergänzungs-Jagdgeschwader | image = | alt = | caption = | dates = |country={{flag|Nazi Germany}} |branch=Luftwaffe | type = | role = | size = | command_structure = | garrison = | garrison_label = | nickname = | patron = | motto = | colors =  | colors_label =  | march = | mascot = | equipment = | equipment_label = | battles = | disbanded = | flying_hours =  | commander1 = | commander1_label = | commander2 = | commander2_label = | commander3 = | commander3_label = | commander4 = | commander4_label = | commander5 = | commander5_label = | commander6 = | commander6_label = | commander7 = | commander7_label = | commander8 = | commander8_label = | commander9 = | commander9_label = | notable_commanders =  | identification_symbol = | identification_symbol_label = | identification_symbol_2 = | identification_symbol_2_label = | identification_symbol_3 = | identification_symbol_3_label = | identification_symbol_4 = | identification_symbol_4_label = | identification_symbol_5 = | identification_symbol_5_label =  | aircraft_attack = | aircraft_bomber = | aircraft_electronic = | aircraft_fighter = | aircraft_interceptor = | aircraft_patrol = | aircraft_recon = | aircraft_trainer = | aircraft_transport = | aircraft_tanker = | aircraft_general = }}

A '''Ergänzungs-Jagdgeschwader (EJG)''' were Luftwaffe replacement training units which were part of a larger operational Jagdgeschwader. The Germans were sometimes forced to undertake operations and training simultaneously. In 1944, the Luftwaffe formed two of these units, EJG 1 and EJG 2, by combining various training and experimental units. Its commanders included Viktor Bauer and Werner Andres.

==Ergänzungs-Jagdgeschwader 1== The ''Geschwader'' EJG 1 was formed in early 1944 from ''Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe West'', ''Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Nord'' and ''Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Ost''. The ''Geschwaderstab'' (headquarters unit) was based in Märkisch Friedland, present-day Mirosławiec in Poland, while the ''Staffeln'' (squadrons) were based on airfields in Pomerania, Brandenburg, Lausitz, present-day Lusatia, and Silesia. Initially, the unit was conceived as a training unit for fighter pilots. The deteriorating war situation forced Luftwaffe training units into combat operations. In January 1945, an ''Einsatzgruppe'', an operational combat group, was created and deployed on the Oder where they fought in the Vistula–Oder offensive. In March/April 1945, the unit was disbanded and its pilots were assigned to other ''Jagdgeschwader''.{{sfn|Dierich|1976|p=37}}

==Ergänzungs-Jagdgeschwader 2== thumb|right|Me 262 A-1a – EJG 2 flown by Bär In late 1944, EJG 2 was formed from various ''Erprobungskommandos'', experimental test units, primarily for conversion training to the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter, the Messerschmitt Me 163 rocket fighter and Heinkel He 162 jet fighter. The ''Geschwaderstab'' was based at Sprottau, present-day Szprotawa in western Poland. The unit had been formed with three ''Gruppen'' (groups). I. ''Group'' was equipped with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Focke-Wulf Fw 190 piston engine fighters and based at airfields northwest of Berlin. II. ''Gruppe'', a "blind" or bad weather flying unit, was located at Ludwigslust. III. ''Gruppe'' was equipped with the Me 262 jet aircraft and was based at Lechfeld Airfield.{{sfn|Dierich|1976|p=39}} The ''Geschwader'' was led by ''Major'' Werner Andres.{{sfn|Morgan|1994|p=103}} On 13 February 1945, ''Oberstleutnant'' Heinrich Bär was given command of III. ''Gruppe''.{{sfn|Forsyth|2008|p=18}} On 23 April, Bär relocated III. ''Gruppe'' of EJG 2 to Munich-Riem Airfield where ''Jagdverband'' 44 (JV 44—44th Fighter Detachment), led by the former ''General der Jagdflieger'' Adolf Galland, was based. There, III./EJG 2 was disbanded and its pilots assigned to JV 44.{{sfn|Forsyth|2008|p=76}}

==References== ===Citations=== {{Reflist|25em}}

===Bibliography=== {{Refbegin}} * {{Cite book |last=Boyne |first=Walter J. |author-link=Walter J. Boyne |year=1980 |title=Messerschmitt Me 262 Arrow to the Future |place=United States of America |publisher=Smithsonian Institution |isbn=978-0-87474-275-6 }} * {{Cite book |last=Forsyth |first=Robert |year=2008 |title=Jagdverband 44 Squadron of Experten |series=Aviation Elite Units |volume=27 |location=Oxford, UK |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1-84603-294-3 }} * {{cite book |last=Dierich |first=Wolfgang |year=1976 |title=Die Verbände der Luftwaffe: 1935–1945 |trans-title=The Units of the Luftwaffe: 1935–1945 |publisher=Motorbuch-Verlag |isbn=978-3-87943-437-4 |language=de }} * {{cite book |last=Morgan |first=Hugh |year=1994 |title=Me 262: Stormbird Rising |publisher=Osprey Aerospace |location=Oxford |isbn=978-0-87938-965-9 }} {{Refend}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Erganzungs-Jagdgeschwader}} Category:Fighter wings of the Luftwaffe 1933-1945