Jagdfliegerführer Bretagne / Jafü 4

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Philippe Gravez
Jafü 4 & Jafü Bretagne
Tue Jun 15, 2004 18:09
132.167.35.74

According to Michael Holm, ObLt Walter Oesau was Jafü 4 / Jafü Bretagne between 1.7.43 and 11.11.43. Does someone know who held this position before Oesau and from 12.11.43 and 1.7.43 when Ob Dr Erich Mix became Jafü Bretagne?

Michael Holm also mentions that Jafü 4 changed its name for Jafü Bretagne in September 1943 when most of the Jafü in the West were renumbered according to their new or redesignated parent Jagddivision. This thus occurred after the great reorganisation of the Jagdwaffe command structure (creation of I. and II. Jagdkorps) in the autumn of 1943. However this reorganisation took place in mid-October 1943 (not on 15 September as noted on Holm's website). Don Caldwell in his JG 26 book dates the Jafü redesignation from around 27 November 1943 and this seems consistent to me. Is it possible to confirm this latter version?

Regards

Philippe

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Steve W.
Jafüs
Tue Jun 15, 2004 19:58
205.188.116.78

Jagdfliegerführer Bretagne was ordered formed on 6 September 1943 with effect from 15 September 1943 (ex-Stab/Jafü 4), although Jafü 4 was using this designation unofficially as early as July 1943. Obstlt. Walter Oesau was Jafü 4 and became Jafü Bretagne on the date noted above. Oberst Dr. Erich Mix succeeded him as Jafü Bretagne in October 1943 and held that position until 7 Jul 44.

Steve W.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Philippe Gravez
Thanks (nt) (nm)
Wed Jun 16, 2004 14:14
132.167.35.74

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Steve W.
Jafü Snafu (Take 2)
Wed Jun 16, 2004 18:24
64.12.116.81

Philippe - I did some additional research on this matter and the Jafü 4 issue is a little more complicated than it at first appeared. There were two of them and here is what I concluded:


Jagdfliegerführer 4 (Luftflotte 3)
(FpN: L 52025)

Jagdfliegerführer:
Obstlt. Joachim-Friedrich Huth (R) (1 Apr 43 - 14 Jun 43)
Oberst Karl Viek (DKG) (15 Jun 43 - 21 Jun 43)
Obstlt. Walter Oesau (RES, DKG) (22 Jun 43 - 1 Sep 43)
Oberst Dr. Erich Mix (2 Sep 43 - 6 Sep 43)

Formation and History. (Apr 43 - Sep 43)
Formed 1 April 1943 in northern France for Luftflotte 3, although the personnel records of the operations officer (Ia), Major Gerhard Schöpfel, state that he was appointed on 10 January 1943. Reportedly renamed Jagdfliegerführer Bretagne on 6 September 1943, although there is evidence that it may have been using that designation as early as July 1943. The Stab was probably initially located at Rennes. This is a poorly documented command and further details are needed.

[Sources: G.Tessin-Verbände und Truppen der Deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS 1939-1945. Teil 14: Die Luftstreitkräfte; K.Mehner/R.Teuber-Die deutsche Luftwaffe 1939-1945: Führung und Truppe; NARA WashDC: RG 242/T-77 Luftwaffenpersonalamt Personalveränderungen der Luftwaffe Nr. 678/A; C.Zweng-Die Dienststellen, Kommandobehörden und Truppenteile der Luftwaffe 1935-1945. Band 1: Nr. 1-10:263.]



Jagdfliegerführer 4 (4. Jagddivision)
(FpN: L 38174)

Jagdfliegerführer:
Oberst Karl Viek (DKG) (15 Sep 43 - 30 Dec 43)
Obstlt. Josef Priller, acting (RES, DKG) (30 Dec 43 - Mar 44)
Oberst Harry von Bülow-Bothkamp (R) (Apr 44 - 31 Aug 44)

Formation and History. (Sep 43 - Aug 44)
Formed 15 September 1943 at St-Pol-Brias/NE France (ex-Stab/Jagdfliegerführer 2) under 4. Jagddivision and later under II. Jagdkorps. Stab remained at St-Pol-Brias and from there controlled fighter defenses over northeast France and Belgium. Jafü 4 was still located at St-Pol-Brias on 18 August 1944. Stab ordered disbanded by Luftflotte 3 on 31 August 1944 as a result of the general withdrawal of German forces from France and Belgium (Feldpost number deleted 19 Oct 44).

[Sources: G.Tessin-Verbände und Truppen der Deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS 1939-1945. Teil 14: Die Luftstreitkräfte; K.Mehner/R.Teuber-Die deutsche Luftwaffe 1939-1945: Führung und Truppe; D.Caldwell-JG 26: Top Guns of the Luftwaffe:212, 231; Luftwaffen-Revue magazine, Heft (issue) 1/1985; NARA WashDC: RG 242/T-971 roll 18 (Luftflotte order of battle lists); PRO London: DEFE 3 ULTRA signal (number not recorded).]

If you have any additional information on these two Stäbe, I would certainly appreciate having it. You can either post it here or I could contact you off-Board.

Hope this helps,

Steve W.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Philippe Gravez
Jafü 4 & Jafü Bretagne
Thu Jun 17, 2004 14:53
132.167.35.74

Dear Steve,

Thank you for your very interesting response. I can only add a few details extracted from a short biography of Erich Mix written by Christophe Cony and Pierre Martin (in the French magazine Avions No. 74 in May 1999) based on the personal records of Mix. It confirms that Mix was appointed Jafü 4 in September 1943. At the time, he was only Obslt. (his promotion to Ob. is dated from 1 April 1944). The H.Q. of Jafü 4 / Jafü Bretagne was initially located in a monastery in Rennes before being transfered in November 1943 near Rennes-Saint Jacques airfield. Following the Allied advance in Normandie, Jafü Bretagne was evacuated to Angers on 2 August 1944, then Tours (7 August) and Paris (8 August). It stayed in Jouy-en-Josas from 11 to 18 August, and later moved to Compiègne, Namur and Eschweiler.

I have especially noticed your mention of the formation of Jafü Bretagne being ordered on 6 September 1943 with effect from 15 september. A serious contradiction exists regarding the precise date of the autumn 1943 Luftwaffe re-organisation that saw the disbandment of XII. Fliegerkorps, the formation of the two Jagdkorps and the renumbering of most Jagddivisionnen. Some sources state that this happened on 15 September 1943 and others (like Gebhard Aders) on 15 October. As far as the operational control of the fighter units is concerned, 15 October is the correct date, but a possible explanation would be that this change was ordered on 15 September and effective on 15 October. I would like to have your opinion on this matter.

Finally, I am a bit surprised to see ObLt. Joachim-Friedrich Huth as Jafü 4 from April to June 1943 since he was supposed to be the Commander of 4. Jagd-Division at the time (promoted Gen.-Maj. on 1 April 1943).

Best regards,

Philippe

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Steve W.
Sep-Oct 1943 Reorganization
Thu Jun 17, 2004 20:56
205.188.116.79

Thanks for your comments, Philippe. I have the Mix chronology from another source, but included it in my notes under Jagdfliegerführer Bretagne.

As for the Sep-Oct 43 reorganization, I am in the same boat you are. Some times I think it is 15 September and sometimes 15 October seems more likely. One thing is certain: the date of the order for Jafü 4 being renamed Jafü Bretagne and for the creation of a new Jafü 4 and for a Jafü 5 is 6 September 1943. This is the date of the appointments as they were issued by the Luftwaffenpersonalamt. What remains uncertain is the effective date, 15 Sep or 15 Oct. I have no definitive, primary documentation that would clear this up, but I am almost willing to say that it may have been different for different Stäbe. For some it was 15 September and for others 15 October. Or, as you pointed out, perhaps 15 September for all matters except operations, which became effective on 15 October. The second of these options seems to make more sense to me. Let me know if you come up with anything solid on this, as it is a troublesome issue that needs to be put to rest.

As for Huth, he was appointed Kdr. 4. Jagddiv. on 01.10.42 and then replaced by Werner Junck on 15.09.43. He was concurrently Jafü 4 from 01.04.43 to 15.06.43, and then became Kdr. 5. Jagddiv. on 11.11.43 (to 30.12.43). Between 15.09.43 to 11.11.43 he is unaccounted for, but may have gone back to Germany on Urlaub, but that's just a guess.

Steve W.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Philippe Gravez
Autumn 1943 re-organization
Fri Jun 18, 2004 12:24
132.167.35.74

Hi Steve,

It's a pleasure to discuss with someone who has such documentation. I have only two remarks about your last posting.

Gebhard Aders in his History of the German Night Fighter Force 1917-1945 dates the change in the Jagdwaffe command structure to 15 October 1943. This is indirectly supported by the content of document RL 8/91 Kriegsgeschichte I.Jagdkorps 15-09-43 to 24-10-43:
Korpstagesbefehl Nr.133 17.9.43 Gen.Kdo.XII.Fl.-Korps
Korpstagesbefehl Nr.134 23.9.43 Gen.Kdo.XII.Fl.-Korps
Korpstagesbefehl Nr.135 13.10.43 Gen.Kdo.XII.Fl.-Korps
Korpstagesbefehl Nr.136 13.10.43 Gen.Kdo.XII.Fl.-Korps
Korpstagesbefehl Nr.1 24.10.43 Gen.Kdo. I.Jagdkorps
(I do not have a copy of this document and this is unfortunate as it should clarify the matter ; maybe somebody on this forum can access RL 8/91).
This at least implies that XII. Fliegerkorps became I. Jagdkorps around mid-October 1943. Aders also maintains that the re-organisation resulted from the failure (?) of the Luftwaffe to counter the 8th Air Force Schweinfurt raid. I think he may be wrong there, especially if this re-organisation was ordered on 15 September. Another point is the eviction of Gen. Kammhuber occurring precisely on 15 September. My assumption, but this is only an assumption, is the following. The Hamburg disaster in August 1943 and the increased 8th Air Force activity over Germany created a strong need for a more flexible command structure. The necessary orders were issued on 15 September. Kammhuber was replaced on this day, but re-organising the Stäbe and the communication system obviously required time and the new organisation thus became effective only on 15 October. I repeat this is a fragile assumption and I will contact you if I find something more definitive on this subject.

Regarding Gen.Maj. Huth, I still wonder how he may have been at the same time the Commander of Jafü 4 in Brittany and that of 4. Jagddivision in Central Germany (HQ at Döberitz). I can only hypothesise that, as an experienced Commander, Huth was asked to organise the new Jafü 4 on a temporary appointment, while retaining his permanent 4. Jagddivision command. 4. Jagddivision would thus have had an acting Commander from April to July 1943.

Best regards,

Philippe

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Steve W.
Reorganization and Huth
Fri Jun 18, 2004 15:42
205.188.116.7

An excellent and well-thoughtout analysis, Philippe. A 15 October change-over date and the reasons for it is supported in Peter Hinchliffe's "The Other Battle" (Airlife Publishing, 1996), pages 166 and 192. According to the account, Göring was "slighted" by Kammhuber by disagreeing with the "Einsitzer" Nachtjagd concept then taking root and by not attending a crisis meeting held by Göring following the Hamburg holocaust. H was fired by G on 15 September and this let to an intense focus on the entire Nachtjagd "static defence system" with the noting of its many shortcomings. A sweeping reorganization and complete restructuring of the system was called for and this was implemented on 15 October. So the one month between 15 September and 15 October was a period of intense evaluation and the drawing up of restructuring plans. That makes sense. The only problem is that Hinchliffe relied almost exclusively on secondary sources and interviews with participants for his book, mainly Hajo Herrmann and one or two others who were there while these events were taking place. For the time being, I will accept this account of events, but I would still like to see that RL 8/91 document that you mentioned.

You are also correct in your hypothesis regarding Huth. I am currently working on constructing a huge data base of Luftwaffe officers in the rank of Hptm. and above with their assignments using the microfilmed Personalveränderungen der Luftwaffe (already with 14,004 names and a total of 1,459,875 characters), and there are countless cases of Kommandeure being temporarily removed from their commands and sent on 2 or 3 months TDY (temporary assignment) to set up a new unit. It was very routine and happened regularly in all branches of the Luftwaffe. So Huth, no doubt, was sent to Rennes to set up Jafü 4 as you stated.

Very best,

Steve W.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Philippe Gravez
Jagdwaffe reorganisation
Mon Jun 21, 2004 12:04
132.167.35.74

Hello Steve, thank you for you interesting comments. I will contact you through this forum if I find something new on this subject.

Best regards,

Philippe