Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Ost

Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Ost was a fighter pilot training unit of the German Luftwaffe in World War II. It was formed on 27 January 1942 in Krakau and renamed Jagdgruppe Ost on 25 November 1942. Its main purpose was to provide specialized training for new fighter pilots destined for the Eastern Front. Training was provided by experienced Eastern Front veterans, who were rotated in and out of this unit.

History

On 3 January 1942, the Luftwaffe ordered the disbandment of the various Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppen, supplementary fighter groups attached to the various fighter wings. The order was carried out by 10 January and the subsequently released commanding officers and infrastructure was used to form new regular fighter groups as well as new training units. In consequence the following regular fighter groups were created:

a new III. and IV. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 1
a new I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 3
a III. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 5

Additionally, three new training units were also formed, these were the Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppen West, Ost and Süd. Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Ost was created from the Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe of Jagdgeschwader 51. In January 1942, Erg./JG 51 was based in La Rochelle, France. In February, Erg./JG 51 was moved to Krakau where it formed the nucleus of Ergänzungs-Jagdgruppe Ost.

Commanding officers

Gruppenkommandeure

Hauptmann Günther Beise, February 1942 – 12 May 1942Hauptmann Hubertus von Bonin, May 1942 – 22 May 1942Major Werner Andres, 23 May 1942 – 31 January 1943Oberstleutnant Hermann Graf, 1 February 1943 – April 1943Major Werner Andres, April 1943 – 30 June 1943Major Viktor Bauer, 1 July 1943 – 4 November 1944