Zerstörergeschwader 1
Encyclopedia
Zerstörergeschwader 1 or ZG 1 (lit. destroyer wing) was a Luftwaffe
heavy/destroyer Fighter Aircraft
-wing
of World War II
.
. The I. Gruppe (1st group) was formed from I./ZG 141 and stationed in Damm
, II. Gruppe (2nd group) in Fürstenwalde. The II. Gruppe was being equipped with Messerschmitt Bf 109
single engine fighters during the mobilization in World War II
and renamed to Jagdgruppe 101 (101st fighter group), II gruppe re-equipping with the Messerschmitt Bf 110
in March 1940.
On the outbreak of war the unit was based with 1. Flieger Division
in Central Germany. During the invasion of Poland ZG 1 was part of Luftflotte 3
.
operating over Northern Germany and Scandinavia. The Bf 110s of ZG 1 and Zerstörergeschwader 76
(ZG 76) saw considerable action during Operation Weserübung
(the invasion of Denmark and Norway). The Bf 110 strafed and destroyed over two dozen Danish military aircraft on the Værløse airbase on 9 April. One Danish Fokker D.XXI
did manage to get airborne but was immediately shot down. Oblt Victor Mölders, brother of Werner Mölders
) took the official surrender of Aalborg
after landing at the local airfield.
In Norway the Bf 110s helped secure the Oslo
-Fornebu airport
, escorting Junkers Ju 52
s loaded with paratroops. Engaged by Gloster Gladiator
s and machine guns on the ground, in the ensuing battle both sides lost two aircraft. The remaining Bf 110s strafed enemy positions and enabled the ground troops take the airfield; air support provided by ZG 1 was pivotal to this phase of the ground offensive.
At this time the 'wasp' emblem associated with ZG 1 first appeared on aircraft of II gruppe.
Hpt. Hannes Gentzen became the Luftwaffe's highest scoring fighter pilot on 2 April, when he shot down a Curtiss 'Hawk'
over the Argonne
.
On 10 May ZG 1 claimed 26 Dutch aircraft destroyed on the ground on Haamstede
airbase. After participation in the Battle of France
, I. Gruppe was renamed to I./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1
(1st night fighter wing) on 22 June 1940, and II./ZG 1 became III./ ZG 76. Thus there was no ZG 1 geschwader active from June 1940 to early 1942.
, with a third Gruppe raised, equipped with the Bf 109E-4/B.The Bf 110 gave tactical support to the advancing German Army by carrying out strike missions often in the face of heavy anti-aircraft defences. A huge number of ground kills were achieved by ZG 1 Bf 110 pilots in the east.
In August 1942 III./ZG 1 was transferred to North Africa, now equipped with the troublesome Me-210. Gradual re-equipment with the much improved Me-410 took place through 1943.
In early 1943 5./ZG 1 received several aircraft equipped with the BK 3.7 cm heavy cannon for evaluation as an anti-tank aircraft. These modified Bf 110s were formed into Pz.Jg.St./ZG 1, under the command of I./ZG 1, and flew during the Battle of Kursk
. The poor results obtained meant that in autumn 43, this Staffel were transferred to 4./ZG 76. Oberst. Joachim Blechschmidt, the Kommodore of ZG 1, was shot down in a Bf 110 G-2 in combat with Soviet fighters East of Orel
on 13 July 1943, becoming missing in action
to this day.
Staffelkapitän of 1./ZG 1, Oberleutnant Egon Albrecht, was awarded the Ritterkreuz on 25 May 1943 for 15 aerial victories, 11 ground victories, and some 162 motor vehicles, 254 covered vehicles, 3 locomotives, 8 Flak positions, 12 anti-tank gun positions and 8 infantry positions destroyed.
After heavy losses in Russia, I and II gruppen re-united with III gruppe in the Mediterranean theatre in mid 1943. In March-April 1943 II/ZG 1 converted to the Bf 110 G-1 and G-2 at Monte Corvino. This was the Gruppe's base until August when it was withdrawn from Italy. In July 1943, 1./ZG 1 was redesignated 1./ZG 26.
In October 1943 I./ZG 1 took charge of the Ju 88C heavy fighter and with II gruppe transferred to Western France for long-range fighter operations over the Bay of Biscay
with V./Kampfgeschwader 40 (KG 40).
On 8 October, Bf110's of I./ZG 1 attacked American bomber formations and their escorts.
I./ZG 1 lost 5 victory 'ace' and 1. Staffelkapitän
Oblt. Rüdiger Ossmann whilst claiming 6 B-17s and 1 fighter. II./ZG 1 later intercepted RAF bomber formations and lost 9 Bf 110s with 17 aircrew killed, while claiming a P-47, Spitfire, and B-25 Mitchell
shot down. The Staffelkapitän of 6./ZG 1, Hptm. Karl-Heinrich Matern, (12 victories) was among those shot down and killed. Spitfires were of Nos. 453 Sqn
(5 claimed destroyed), 610 Sqn (2 claimed destroyed) and 66 Sqn (3 claimed destroyed).On 9 October 1943, Hauptmann Albrecht succeeded Matern as Gruppenkommandeur , II./ZG 1.
In early 1944 II./ZG 1 flew 'Defense of the Reich
' missions over the southern portion of the Reich, often in conjunction with elements of JG 27.Both units were based around Wels
in Austria and flew against the US 15th Air Force heavy bombers and fighter escorts.
The Geschwader was disbanded in July 1944 with the aircrew posted to Gruppen in JG 4 and 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....
heavy/destroyer Fighter Aircraft
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...
.
History
Zerstörergeschwader 1 was formed in May 1939 as a Geschwader without a GeschwaderstabStab (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...
. The I. Gruppe (1st group) was formed from I./ZG 141 and stationed in Damm
Damm
Damm may refer to:*DAMM Cellular Systems A/S, a Danish provider for TETRA solutions.*Damm , a village in the municipality of Dummerstorf, district of Rostock, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany....
, II. Gruppe (2nd group) in Fürstenwalde. The II. Gruppe was being equipped with Messerschmitt Bf 109
Messerschmitt Bf 109
The Messerschmitt Bf 109, often called Me 109, was a German World War II fighter aircraft designed by Willy Messerschmitt and Robert Lusser during the early to mid 1930s...
single engine fighters during the mobilization in World War II
Mobilization
Mobilization is the act of assembling and making both troops and supplies ready for war. The word mobilization was first used, in a military context, in order to describe the preparation of the Prussian army during the 1850s and 1860s. Mobilization theories and techniques have continuously changed...
and renamed to Jagdgruppe 101 (101st fighter group), II gruppe re-equipping with the Messerschmitt Bf 110
Messerschmitt Bf 110
The Messerschmitt Bf 110, often called Me 110, was a twin-engine heavy fighter in the service of the Luftwaffe during World War II. Hermann Göring was a proponent of the Bf 110, and nicknamed it his Eisenseiten...
in March 1940.
On the outbreak of war the unit was based with 1. Flieger Division
1st Air Division (Germany)
1. Flieger-Division was one of the primary divisions of the German Luftwaffe in World War II.-Commanding officers:*Oberst Hugo Sperrle, 1 April 1934*Generalleutnant Ulrich Grauert, 1 July 1938 – 24 October 1939...
in Central Germany. During the invasion of Poland ZG 1 was part of Luftflotte 3
Luftflotte 3
Luftflotte 3 was one of the primary divisions of the German Luftwaffe in World War II. It was formed on February 1, 1939 from Luftwaffengruppenkommando 3 in Munich and redesignated Luftwaffenkommando West on September 26, 1944...
.
Norway 1940
By April 1940 the unit was part of X. Fliegerkorps10th Air Corps (Germany)
X. FliegerkorpsFor more details see Luftwaffe Organization was a formation of the German Luftwaffe in World War II, which specialised in coastal operations. It was formed 2 October 1939, in Hamburg from the 10...
operating over Northern Germany and Scandinavia. The Bf 110s of ZG 1 and Zerstörergeschwader 76
Zerstörergeschwader 76
Zerstörergeschwader 76 or ZG 76 was a Luftwaffe heavy/destroyer Fighter Aircraft-wing of World War II.-History:...
(ZG 76) saw considerable action during Operation Weserübung
Operation Weserübung
Operation Weserübung was the code name for Germany's assault on Denmark and Norway during the Second World War and the opening operation of the Norwegian Campaign...
(the invasion of Denmark and Norway). The Bf 110 strafed and destroyed over two dozen Danish military aircraft on the Værløse airbase on 9 April. One Danish Fokker D.XXI
Fokker D.XXI
-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* De Jong, Peter. Le Fokker D.21 . Outreau, France: Éditions Lela Presse, 2005. ISBN 2-914017-26-X....
did manage to get airborne but was immediately shot down. Oblt Victor Mölders, brother of Werner Mölders
Werner Mölders
Werner Mölders was a World War II German Luftwaffe pilot and the leading German fighter ace in the Spanish Civil War. Mölders became the first pilot in aviation history to claim 100 aerial victories—that is, 100 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft, and was...
) took the official surrender of Aalborg
Aalborg
-Transport:On the north side of the Limfjord is Nørresundby, which is connected to Aalborg by a road bridge Limfjordsbroen, an iron railway bridge Jernbanebroen over Limfjorden, as well as a motorway tunnel running under the Limfjord Limfjordstunnelen....
after landing at the local airfield.
In Norway the Bf 110s helped secure the Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
-Fornebu airport
Oslo Airport, Fornebu
Oslo Airport, Fornebu was the main airport serving Oslo and Eastern Norway from 1 June 1939 to 7 October 1998. It was then replaced by Oslo Airport, Gardermoen and the area has since been redeveloped. The airport was located at Fornebu in Bærum, from the city center. Fornebu had two runways, one...
, escorting Junkers Ju 52
Junkers Ju 52
The Junkers Ju 52 was a German transport aircraft manufactured from 1932 to 1945. It saw both civilian and military service during the 1930s and 1940s. In a civilian role, it flew with over 12 air carriers including Swissair and Deutsche Luft Hansa as an airliner and freight hauler...
s loaded with paratroops. Engaged by Gloster Gladiator
Gloster Gladiator
The Gloster Gladiator was a British-built biplane fighter. It was used by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy and was exported to a number of other air forces during the late 1930s. It was the RAF's last biplane fighter aircraft and was rendered obsolete by newer monoplane designs even as it...
s and machine guns on the ground, in the ensuing battle both sides lost two aircraft. The remaining Bf 110s strafed enemy positions and enabled the ground troops take the airfield; air support provided by ZG 1 was pivotal to this phase of the ground offensive.
At this time the 'wasp' emblem associated with ZG 1 first appeared on aircraft of II gruppe.
France 1940
During the phoney war a number of French aircraft were shot down by ZG 1 Bf 110s. ZG 1 GruppenkommandeurGruppenkommandeur
Gruppenkommandeur is a Luftwaffe position , that is the equivalent of a commander of a group or wing in other air forces. Gruppenkommandeur usually has the rank of Hauptmann or Major, and commands a Gruppe, which is a sub-division of a Geschwader. A Gruppe usually consists of three or four...
Hpt. Hannes Gentzen became the Luftwaffe's highest scoring fighter pilot on 2 April, when he shot down a Curtiss 'Hawk'
Curtiss Hawk
Curtiss Hawk was a name common to many aircraft designed and produced by the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company, most of them fighters:-Curtiss Model 34 & Hawk I:...
over the Argonne
Argonne
Argonne may refer to:*The Forest of Argonne in France*Argonne National Laboratory, a U.S. D.O.E. National Laboratory near Chicago, Illinois*Meuse-Argonne Offensive, also called the Battle of Argonne Forest, a World War I battle*Argonne, Wisconsin, a town, US...
.
On 10 May ZG 1 claimed 26 Dutch aircraft destroyed on the ground on Haamstede
Haamstede
Haamstede is a town in the Dutch province of Zeeland. It is a part of the municipality of Schouwen-Duiveland.The statistical area "Haamstede", which also can include the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 2460....
airbase. After participation in the Battle of France
Battle 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...
, I. Gruppe was renamed to I./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1
Nachtjagdgeschwader 1
Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 was a German Luftwaffe night fighter-wing of World War II. NJG 1 was formed on 22 June 1940 in Mönchengladbach.By the end of the war it was the most successful night fighter unit and had claimed some 2,311 victories by day and night, for some 676 aircrew killed in...
(1st night fighter wing) on 22 June 1940, and II./ZG 1 became III./ ZG 76. Thus there was no ZG 1 geschwader active from June 1940 to early 1942.
1942
The Geschwader was re-formed again on 4 January 1942 from Geschwaderstab of Schnellkampfgeschwader 210Schnellkampfgeschwader 210
Schnellkampfgeschwader 210 was a Luftwaffe fast bomber wing of the Second World War. The unit was created in April 1941 and absorbed by the Zerstörergeschwader 1 on 4 January 1942.- Origins 1940 :...
, with a third Gruppe raised, equipped with the Bf 109E-4/B.The Bf 110 gave tactical support to the advancing German Army by carrying out strike missions often in the face of heavy anti-aircraft defences. A huge number of ground kills were achieved by ZG 1 Bf 110 pilots in the east.
In August 1942 III./ZG 1 was transferred to North Africa, now equipped with the troublesome Me-210. Gradual re-equipment with the much improved Me-410 took place through 1943.
In early 1943 5./ZG 1 received several aircraft equipped with the BK 3.7 cm heavy cannon for evaluation as an anti-tank aircraft. These modified Bf 110s were formed into Pz.Jg.St./ZG 1, under the command of I./ZG 1, and flew during the Battle of Kursk
Battle of Kursk
The Battle of Kursk took place when German and Soviet forces confronted each other on the Eastern Front during World War II in the vicinity of the city of Kursk, in the Soviet Union in July and August 1943. It remains both the largest series of armored clashes, including the Battle of Prokhorovka,...
. The poor results obtained meant that in autumn 43, this Staffel were transferred to 4./ZG 76. Oberst. Joachim Blechschmidt, the Kommodore of ZG 1, was shot down in a Bf 110 G-2 in combat with Soviet fighters East of Orel
Orel
Orel or Oryol can refer to:*Oryol, a city in Russia, the administrative center of Oryol OblastIt can also refer to:*Alexander Oryol , Soviet military leader and admiral...
on 13 July 1943, becoming missing in action
Missing in action
Missing in action is a casualty Category assigned under the Status of Missing to armed services personnel who are reported missing during active service. They may have been killed, wounded, become a prisoner of war, or deserted. If deceased, neither their remains nor grave can be positively...
to this day.
Staffelkapitän of 1./ZG 1, Oberleutnant Egon Albrecht, was awarded the Ritterkreuz on 25 May 1943 for 15 aerial victories, 11 ground victories, and some 162 motor vehicles, 254 covered vehicles, 3 locomotives, 8 Flak positions, 12 anti-tank gun positions and 8 infantry positions destroyed.
After heavy losses in Russia, I and II gruppen re-united with III gruppe in the Mediterranean theatre in mid 1943. In March-April 1943 II/ZG 1 converted to the Bf 110 G-1 and G-2 at Monte Corvino. This was the Gruppe's base until August when it was withdrawn from Italy. In July 1943, 1./ZG 1 was redesignated 1./ZG 26.
In October 1943 I./ZG 1 took charge of the Ju 88C heavy fighter and with II gruppe transferred to Western France for long-range fighter operations over the Bay of Biscay
Bay of Biscay
The Bay of Biscay is a gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean located south of the Celtic Sea. It lies along the western coast of France from Brest south to the Spanish border, and the northern coast of Spain west to Cape Ortegal, and is named in English after the province of Biscay, in the Spanish...
with V./Kampfgeschwader 40 (KG 40).
On 8 October, Bf110's of I./ZG 1 attacked American bomber formations and their escorts.
I./ZG 1 lost 5 victory 'ace' and 1. Staffelkapitän
Staffelkapitän
Staffelkapitän is a position in flying units of the German Luftwaffe that is the equivalent of RAF/USAF Squadron Commander. Usually today a Staffelkapitän is of Oberstleutnant or Major rank....
Oblt. Rüdiger Ossmann whilst claiming 6 B-17s and 1 fighter. II./ZG 1 later intercepted RAF bomber formations and lost 9 Bf 110s with 17 aircrew killed, while claiming a P-47, Spitfire, and B-25 Mitchell
B-25 Mitchell
The North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was used by many Allied air forces, in every theater of World War II, as well as many other air forces after the war ended, and saw service across four decades.The B-25 was named...
shot down. The Staffelkapitän of 6./ZG 1, Hptm. Karl-Heinrich Matern, (12 victories) was among those shot down and killed. Spitfires were of Nos. 453 Sqn
No. 453 Squadron RAAF
No. 453 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force air traffic control unit. It was first was formed at Bankstown in New South Wales on 23 May 1941 during World War II and was disbanded in March 1942 after suffering heavy losses in combat during the Battle of Malaya...
(5 claimed destroyed), 610 Sqn (2 claimed destroyed) and 66 Sqn (3 claimed destroyed).On 9 October 1943, Hauptmann Albrecht succeeded Matern as Gruppenkommandeur , II./ZG 1.
In early 1944 II./ZG 1 flew 'Defense of the Reich
Defense of the Reich
The Defence of the Reich is the name given to the strategic defensive aerial campaign fought by the Luftwaffe over German occupied Europe and Germany itself during World War II. Its aim was to prevent the destruction of German military and civil industries by the Western Allies...
' missions over the southern portion of the Reich, often in conjunction with elements of JG 27.Both units were based around Wels
Wels
Wels is the second largest city of the state of Upper Austria, located in the north of Austria, on the Traun River near Linz. It is not part of its surrounding Wels County , but a so-called Statutarstadt . However, Wels is the county seat of Wels-Land.- Geography :Wels is located in the...
in Austria and flew against the US 15th Air Force heavy bombers and fighter escorts.
The Geschwader was disbanded in July 1944 with the aircrew posted to Gruppen in JG 4 and JG 76.
Kommodore
- Major Arved CrügerArved CrügerArved Crüger was a Luftwaffe wing commander during World War II and Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipient. He married the German movie actress Carola Höhn in 1941. He was appointed Geschwaderkommodore of Kampfgeschwader 77 in 1942...
, 4 January 1942 – 2 March 1942 - Major Ulrich DiesingUlrich DiesingUlrich Diesing was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. On 17 April 1945, Ulrich Diesing was killed in an...
, 3 March 1942 – 21 September 1942 - Oberstleutnant Ralph von RettbergRalph von RettbergRalph von Rettberg was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership...
(acting), 22 September 1942 – 5 October 1942 - Oberstleutnant Paul-Friedrich Darjes, 6 October 1942 – 1 March 1943
- Oberstleutnant Alfred DruschelAlfred DruschelOberst Alfred Druschel was a German Luftwaffe combat pilot and Flying ace during World War II. He was the first combat pilot to be honored with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
(acting), 1 March 1943 – 12 April 1943 - Oberstleutnant Joachim BlechschmidtJoachim BlechschmidtJoachim Blechschmidt was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership...
, 12 April 1943 – 13 July 1943 - Oberstleutnant Lothar von Janson, 1943 – 10 March 1944
- Oberstleutnant Erich von SelleErich von SelleErich von Selle was a German Luftwaffe Flying ace during World War II. He also held various senior command positions in the Luftwaffe including Geschwaderkommodore of the Jagdgeschwader 1 fighter wing.In his private life he was married to Harda Jenny Auguste von Langendorff. The couple had 3...
, March 1944 – July 1944
I./ZG 1
- Major Joachim-Friedrich HuthJoachim-Friedrich HuthJoachim-Friedrich Huth was a German soldier serving in the Luftstreitkräfte during World War I, in the Luftwaffe during World War II and Luftwaffe of the Bundeswehr in post World War II Germany...
, 1 May 1939 – 13 December 1939 - Hauptmann Wolfgang FalckWolfgang FalckWolfgang Falck was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace during World War II. He was one of the key organisers of the German night fighter defences.-Military career:...
, 14 December 1239 – 22 June 1940 - Major Ulrich DiesingUlrich DiesingUlrich Diesing was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. On 17 April 1945, Ulrich Diesing was killed in an...
, 1 January 1942 – 2 March 1942 - Hauptmann Walther von Poka (acting), 2 March 1942 – 7 March 1942
- Hauptmann Wolfgang SchenckWolfgang SchenckWolfgang Schenck was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. He was born in Windhoek in German West Africa...
, 7 March 1942 – 20 August 1942 - Major Joachim BlechschmidtJoachim BlechschmidtJoachim Blechschmidt was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership...
, 20 August 1942 – 12 April 1943 - Hauptmann Wilfried Hermann, April 43 – 14 July 1943
- Hauptmann Max FranzisketMax Franzisket was the brother of Ludwig FranzisketLudwig FranzisketProf. Dr. Ludwig Franzisket was a German World War II Luftwaffe fighter ace. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat...
. Max was killed in action on 19 July 1943 on the Eastern Front., 14 July 1943 – 19 July 1943 - Hauptmann August-Wilhelm Bier, October 1943 – April 1944
- Major Horst Grahl, April 1944 – 12 July 1944
II./ZG 1
- Major Hellmuth Reichardt, 15 May 1939 – 5 February 1940
- Hauptmann Friedrich-Karl Dickoré, May 1940 – 26 June 1940
- Hauptmann Rolf KaldrackRolf KaldrackRolf Kaldrack was a German Luftwaffe fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat...
4 January 1942 – 3 February 1942 - Major Günther TonneGünther TonneGünther Tonne was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
, 4 February 1942 – 1 February 1943 - Hauptmann Gerhard Weyert, February 1943 – May 1943
- Major Heinz NackeHeinz NackeHeinz Nacke was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership...
, 26 May 1943 – 2 August 1943 - Hauptmann Karl-Heinrich Matern, 3 August 1943 – 8 October 1943
- Hauptmann Egon AlbrechtEgon AlbrechtEgon Albrecht was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. Albrecht claimed 25 aerial victories, 10 over the Western Front and 15 over the Eastern Front...
, 9 October 1943 – July 1944
III./ZG 1
- Major Roland Bohrt, January 1942 – 9 September 1942
- Hauptmann Fritz Hobein, September 1942 – February 1943
- Hauptmann Reinhard Hubel, 16 February 1943 – March 1943
- Hauptmann Heinz Roeber, March 1943 – March 1943
- Hauptmann Drescher, March 1943 –
- Major Wilhelm Berlin, – 10 October 1943
- Hauptmann Hans Moor, 7 March 1944 – July 1944