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JG54
Founded :
Country : Germany
Fate :
I./JG 54 was initially formed as I./JG 70 near Nuremberg in July 1939, just two short months before hostilities broke out. As was to become tradition within Grunherzgeschwader, the Gruppe took the Nurember coat-of-arms (a veritcally divided shield with a black heraldic bird on the left, and red and white diagonal stripes on the right) to represent the region the unit came from.
On September 15, 1939, I./JG 70 was redesignated I./JG 54
The initial unit designation for II./JG 54 was I./JG 138. This unit was raised in 1938 after the Austrian annexation. Naturally many Austrian nationals were recruited when I./JG 138 was formed. The Aspern coat of arms (black lion's head surmounting a white cross on a red field) was taken by the Gruppe for its identity.
I./JG 138 was briefly designated I./JG 76 before finally becoming II./JG 54 on April 6, 1940.
The III./JG 54 has its roots in Prussia. Initially I./JG 21, the members were drawn from the Jesau region in Prussia. The modified Jesau coat-of-arms (a shield with a Jesau cross with three diving aircraft on a red background, with a white outline on the shield) was adopted as the Gruppe's own.
On July 15, 1939, I./JG 21 was redesignated III./JG 54. However, the bureaucratic nature of the young Luftwaffe was such that it was over a year before records would reflect the new designation. Consequently, III./JG 54 fought in Poland and France as I./JG 21.
Kommodoren of JG 54 :
Major Martin Mettig; 2 Feb 40 to 25 Aug 40.
Oberst Hannes Trautloft; 25 Aug 40 to 5 Jul 43.
Major Hubertus von Bonin; 6 Jul 43 to 15 Dec 43.
Oberstleutnant Anton Mader; 28 Jan 44 to Sep 44.
Oberst Dieter Hrabak; 1 Oct 44 to 8 May 45.
JG54
  Tribute to Dieter Hrabak by Ivan Berryman. |   Tribute to Heinz Lange by Ivan Berryman. |   Tribute to Hugo Broch by Ivan Berryman. |   Tribute to Major Erich Rudorffer by Ivan Berryman. (PC) |
JG54 Artwork Collection |
  Erich Rudorffer - Eastern Front Ace by Brian Bateman. (P) |   Clipped Signature - Hans-Ekkehard Bob. |   Clipped Signature - Hugo Broch. |
  The Last Patrol by David Pentland. |   Hannes Trautloft by Graeme Lothian. |   Green Hearts by Ivan Berryman. |
  Savage Skies by Robert Taylor. |   Green Heart Warriors by Nicolas Trudgian. (B) |   Bitter Engagement by Robert Taylor. |
  Tribute to Major Erich Rudorffer by Ivan Berryman. | Tribute to Hugo Broch by Ivan Berryman. | Tribute to Heinz Lange by Ivan Berryman. |
Tribute to Dieter Hrabak by Ivan Berryman. |   Holding the Line, Dunaburg, Latvia, 21st July 1944 by David Pentland. |   Hunting Sturmoviks by David Pentland. |
  Jagers by David Pentland. |   Messerschmitt versus Messerschmitt by David Pentland. |   Ikarus Downed by David Pentland. |
  New Enemy by David Pentland. |   Bomber's Bane by David Pentland. |   A Nimble Foe by David Pentland. |
  Ice Warriors by Nicolas Trudgian. |
