Luftwaffe training

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Kenneth Miner
Jagdwaffe pilot training
Sun May 19 20:23:42 2026
198.215.16.184

I was wondering if anyone could clear up some confusion I have concerning the training necessary to become a fighter pilot. What is the progression from initial training until finally being assigned to a Jagdgeschwader? For instance, what is the difference between A/B school, Jagdvorschule, Jagdschule and Ergäzungsgruppe Ost?

Thanks in advance,

Kenneth Miner

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

richard dunn
Fighter training
Sun May 19 22:03:45 2026
68.49.0.249

Kenneth

Jagdvorschule was not a routine part of most fighter pilots' training program. It seems when there was a disconnect between trainee flow from the A/B Schule into the J.F.S. the slack was taken up by the Vorschule. It may have served other purposes at various times but I think this was the primary function.

The normal progression was from (1) A/B Schule for primary training to (2) Jagd Flieger Schule for intermediate and advanced training with more advanced training aircraft and introduction to combat type aircraft and finally to(3) Erganzungs Jagdgruppe for operational training on the type aircraft the trainee is to fly in combat.

There were variations and of course the types of training aircraft and number of flight hours varied throughout the war but I think the above is a fairly accurate picture for most of the war. The "A/B Schule" was not necessarily a single school at a single location.

Hope this is helpful.

Rick

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Colin Fuller
Ia & Adjutant III./JG 54
Tue May 21 01:31:33 2026
165.228.129.11

Dear Richard

That was a really useful piece of information as a I have the documents and medals of a III./JG 54 pilot who went from Sch/ Fl. Ausb. Rgt. 63 to FFS A/B 63, and then to EJG Ost. Your explantion clarifies these schools, except the first, do think this was initial training?

Richard perhaps you or someone will know if the positions of Adjutant and Ia were flying positions, as the above pilot was firstly a Staffel Adjutant, and then after being wounded in combat he became a Ia. I am aware that he flew the Bf 109 F's and G's, but would be interested to know if he flew the FW 190 when he recovered from his wounds and returned as a Ia. I would particularly like to know if he ever flew the "Dora" as part of JG 54 or JG 26.

Best wishes

Colin

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

richard dunn
Training
Tue May 21 18:10:00 2026
68.49.0.249

Colin

Preliminary ground training was at the Flieger Ausbuildung Regiment. No flight training there. If there was no immediate opening at an A/B School, the trainee might go to a Flug Anwaerter Kompanie for additional ground training until entering A/B School.

Flight training was as outlined in the earlier post.

Rick

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Hans
Training
Fri May 24 07:03:23 2026
205.188.198.26

Richard

I had my basic training at the 1/1 Fl reg 63 then Segelflug ausbildung in Gelnhausen and then to the AB school

The training at the Fl reg 63 was a standard militairy basic training , which every Germna Rekrut had to go thruogh. No mather what brnc The Segelflug Ausbildung shortend the introduction flights to motor aircraft. I solo'd with four starts. But had knowledge of aircraft before.

After basic flight training you started training for what you were going to fly, My next step was twin engine training. After that we had to dismantle the planes and store them in the forest.
Next we were transfered to a panzer unit. End of Luftwaffe.

Regards

Hans

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Colin Fuller
Fl reg 63
Mon May 27 00:25:38 2026
165.228.129.11

Dear Hans

It was me who posed the question, anyway many thanks for your reply. I have the award documents for a Luftwaffe pilot, Friedrich BROCK and have been trying to find out more about him. Your information is yet another useful bit of information in building a picture up of Herr Brock's history. I noticed that he received the War Merit Cross, 2nd Class with Swords while at the Fl reg 63, was this usual? What would he have done there to get this award?

Were you disappointed to end with the Luftwaffe training and go onto panzer? Was this late in the war?

Thanks once again Hans, and Greeting from Australia...

Colin