Airfield of the Aces The Luftwaffe In The Final Days of WW2

Airfield of the Aces The Luftwaffe In The Final Days of WW2
Munich-Riem airfield, home of the famous Jagdverband 44 commanded by Generalleutnant Adolf Galland.
Galland formed the unit in February 1945 and after the completion of training, at the beginning of April, the unit moved south to the airport at Munich-Riem. From here, attacks against the USAAF were conducted, and included combat against heavy bombers and fighters alike. Some success was achieved against the bombers using R4M unguided air-air rockets. Due to its speed, the Me 262 could outfly anything fighter the Allies could muster, but thanks to the inability of the rapid application of throttle, the plane was vulnerable on takeoff and landing, making it an easy target for Allied fighters. The Allies had the Munich airport well within their sights, and the danger that this presented was very real.
The protection of the jet fighters fell on high-performance piston engined fighters - the Fw 190D. This group, the airfield protection flight ‘Platzschutzschwarm’, under the leadership of Lt. Heinz Sachsenberg, was formed in mid-April, and had at its disposition five Fw 190D Doras, in D-9 and D-11 versions. Members of the unit included Hptm. Waldemar Wübke, Lt. Karl-Heinz Hofmann and Oblt. Klaus Faber.
The role of these men was to take off before the Me 262s, and clean out the air space around the airfield. Once the Me 262s formed up, and left the local airspace, the Fw 190s were to land. The protection of the Me 262s on landing approach was not mandated.
Captured by the 42nd Inf Div at the end of the airfield it was found abandoned by the US troops with JV 44 relocating into Austria.
The airfield became Munich’s main international airport post WW2 and was in operation until 1996, at which point it cease operations and is now a shopping/residential and commercial area with open parkland to the south.

[@MichaelLeBlanc-p4f]

Back in the 90's I corresponded with Galland and with the introductions he arranged with former night-fighter crew who, without exception, generously helped me with stories and information about their experiences on 24/25 May, 1944, the night an uncle (22 Ops) and his crew (LV905) were shot down. In the process the stories of all 29 British & 6 Luftwaffe shot down that night was 'centralized'.All these old foes were perfect, understanding, gentlemen in every way. They were real men.❤

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Wow! Must have been quite something to have met been able to correspond with him. I was too young at the time sadly but would have relished the opportunity to do so. Thank you for sharing that.

[@On-Our-Radar-24News]

Adolf Galland was an incredible guy. Extremely humble for his accomplishments. I got to know him and many other Luftwaffe Aces from the time I was 8 years old and my Grandfather would take me to LW reunions in Germany, France and Spain. My Grandfather was a Bomber pilot and flew the He111 and didnt know Galland during the war but after the war and after my Grandfather was released from Soviet Prison in 1956 the Luftwaffe pilots with so few of them remaining formed a close bond. Erich Hartmann was also part of this group as my Grandfather was in prison with him. As I got older and started to understand the history better I would sit and listen to them talk for hours into the night about their various missions. When I was much older and before his death I asked him about JV 44 and what it was like. He told me that is was really a suicide squadron for old pilots to take it to the enemy one last time. He said none of them expected to live to see the end of the war and they wanted one last hurrah and fly with their comrades. He said it was much more then trying to inflict damage on the allies. He said they new the war was lost after the defeat at Stalingrad and how the Luftwaffe had been whittled down to old aces and babies with no airplanes. He always had much to say about Göring and Hitler. He was a very funny guy too. Some of my most cherished memorabilia is the many, many signed photos that I got from meeting all of these men. I have 5 binders full of different photos signed by a lot of the Luftwaffe Aces and pilots that survived the war. If I had more space here I would tell more stories but I dont so I will end it here. Thanks for doing this one! Brought back some great memories. 🙏

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Wow! I've had to read that a couple of times as that is incredible! If you have time I'd love to know more if you have a spare moment to email me? It must have been incredible to listen to their stories!

[@suepalin9202]

I hope you will record these memories and photographs as they would make a fascinating book on this part of WW2 history.

[@bettylaselli2048]

​@@suepalin9202 i agree

[@On-Our-Radar-24News]

@@WW2Wayfinder Absolutely. I would love to email you. How do I do that?

[@eamo106]

I just liked and shared WW2Wayfinder to boost his page on KZbin, no idea that anyone of your heritage would reply. Or are you flighttradar24 ?

[@daleyhanson5889]

Outstanding job, naming the pilot's and having photographs to see them in real life brings feelings of empathy for their struggle just to live for the day.....Thank you,!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it and I think it’s important to highlight aspects of the opposite to show they weren’t all fanatics for the cause, some were just very skilled at their job and actually hated the regime but had little choice in it all. Hans-Joachim Marseille is a prime example of this!

[@Gunthazv2]

@@WW2WayfinderHans & Hartmann just wanted to get home to their sweethearts

[@larry4789]

25 ME262's attacked 57 Lancasters on a daylight op on April 9th 1945. The Lancs were from 9, 50, 61, 463, 467 and 617 Squadrons. There were about 200+ allied fighter escorts including Mustangs and Spitfires. One of the 262's was piloted by Franz Schall who shot down a Lancaster from my dad's squadron, 61.A 50 squadron Lanc was also shot down. Polish Squadron Mustangs claimed 3 or 4 destroyed and 3 probables. Franz Schall died the day aftee when his 262 went into a hole in the runway.

[@johns8771]

Thanks for briefly touching on the 42nd's role in liberating Munich. My father was assigned to this unit during the war. Really enjoy the videos you produce. Keep up the good work.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I’ll be covering the liberation of Munich and the 42nd at some point in the near future so keep an eye out for that! Sadly by the time I got to the end of filming this I was done for the day so didn’t go into the detail I wanted to but will do so in a future video!

[@gillianshort9125]

An excellent and very informative video. I always felt he was definitely an officer and gentleman.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you. Galland was definitely from a more noble time and had great respect for his enemy. And I think this really showed post war with the friendships formed with the likes of Bader and Bob Stanford Tuck.

[@DanielMulloy-bg6gw]

When I was a teenager back in the 1980s my friend was left his grandmother's scrapbook and photo album..... it was full of personal photos of her time as a field nurse during the first world war. She was German. The photo album was full of photos of the Red Barron and his fighter unit.... heeded up Donating it to the Smithsonian Musium.... they se n t people to his house to get it and the paper did a big story about it. It was very exciting!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh wow! I hope the Smithsonian still have it out on display! I would love to see it!

[@KurtRauschmair]

SERVUS! WAYFINDER! TOLLER BERICHT SEHR INTERESANT DANKE DAFÜR ! GRÜSSE VOM AMMERSEE /BAYERN!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! JV44 is a fascinating unit! Thanks again for taking the time to watch!

[@bradschwamberger1217]

Thank you! A great video that was very interesting. I loved the recon photo. These pilots from both sides saw a new dawn in air combat.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it! The recon photo quality really has to be seen to be believed given how long ago they were taken, it’s amazing to see the level of detail the Allies could view the battlefield in all those years ago!

[@kevinernst2897]

Wish i found this channel sooner. New sub here. Thank you for the wealth of information. Indeed brave men on both sides deserving tribute.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it and welcome to the channel!

[@robertbeermanjr.2158]

Very Well Done Sir. Thank you.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

thank you!

[@peteyspaletas2023]

I just finished,after quite awhile,my Revell model of a BF 109. (Still gotta do the pilot's face though) It's the same model I bought in 1976 in North San Jose CA. When I was 14. I looked for it online and there it was. The Green Hearts. JG 54.💚 Never forgot that box art. Two of them taking off on a dark snowy night. Searchlights in the distance.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Nice! Been a long time since I’ve been able to get to the modelling bench. I’ve got a half finished P-51D from a couple of years ago I need to finish!

[@peteyspaletas2023]

@@WW2Wayfinder this one took quite a while too.

[@fandangofandango2022]

Sir Great Doco.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@Filmpilot]

I have the original color slide scan from the fighter pilots revolt. I was good friends with Adolph Galland.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Wow!!!! I imagine he was a true gentleman and I can only wonder at the stories he had to share!

[@chrishewitt4220]

Interesting and informative video. But you need to allow more time for your photo edits... I'm an excellent reader but it was a struggle to absorb all the information being presented.

[@greglammers9905]

Very interesting. Thanks for the video

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome!

[@paulmalore]

Fortunately you have a French text in "description", for the French subtitles here, being an automatic translation, are hilarious. However, the speaker is well understandable. Very interesting theme anyway !

[@WW2Wayfinder]

THank you! For the subtitles, thats Google unfortunately, for all their power, they sturggle with some aspects still!

[@chilarai1]

1:44 If I'm not mistaken, that's the B&B Hotel on the corner of Messerschmitt Str and Dornier Str. Had no idea.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Different location, that’s in Hallbergmoos near the new airport. Those buildings at Munich Riem are just apartment buildings

[@timdinch5598]

Adolf Galland was quite a character. He flew a specially modified ME109 the only one in the Luftwaffe to have a cigar lighter!

[@nicklovell8148]

Great knowledge and presentation.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Gunthazv2]

They tried to get Hartmann to join JV-44 several times but he refused to leave his unit & young pilots he was training to leave them for dead

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Hartmann was a great pilot and leader. If you have time I visited the former fighter pilots rest home in Bad Wiessee where he spent his honeymoon and documented it and it’s here on my channel. The wartime building has now sadly been torn down!

[@Gunthazv2]

@@WW2Wayfinder yes very honourable to surrender to Russians and stay with his unit instead of the seperate American surrender that was given to the higher up aces

[@jeongmoonyun2737]

great.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@robinhaines4960]

Franz Stigler was also part of this unit. For those who don't know who Franz Stigler is, look him up, it's an amazing story.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I've spoken with Adam Makos, the author of Higher Call a number of times and his book is wonderful!

[@jeannineamos1178]

I read the book A Higher Call and thoroughly enjoyed it

[@oceanhome2023]

Yes one of the best stories ever , ! I come from farm families along the Eastern slope in Colorado . There was a lot of Volks Duescha that moved there as part of the large German Diaspora of Chicago and they traced their roots from Bavaria the Rockies reminded them of the mountains of Bavaria ! It was a big draw to be able to make German Pilsser and lager with the high country hops and barley very light and refreshing quite cold too ! They always said that The Chicago Duesh did not know how to make beer correctly but in Colorado they had all of right ingredients including Rocky Mountain spring water ! During the War there were several POW camps and they were used for labor . The farmers picked the Germans to drive and repair tractors and the Italians were picked as cooks . It was a great state to be a POW in ! There were thousands of Americans of Japanese ancestry . The Colorado Governor refused to house them in camps they were all considered as good Americans who lived amongst The Coloradoans for decades . We got a ton of Japanese who heard of this good deal and they moved out of California for good ! Quite a few of the POWs stayed or came back at the end of the war ! Scotch Irish and Volks Duesch was a crazy mixture of people mostly Good . As a young child I heard them complaining about Adolf and I always assumed they were talking about AH but no they were complaining about Adolph Coors who brought their barley, grain and hops for hardy anything and if you didn’t sell it to Coors you could not sell it anyone else ! I learned about cartels at a young age ! There was a terrible war going on but in farm country Colorado you didn’t notice it !

[@kaboulscabal4816]

Came here to add that, but you have, and yes ... if someone hasn't yet, read A Higher Call, the story of Brown and Stigler WILL move you to tears. And NOW ... I'm off to listen to No Bullets Fly ... *again*! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqTPgGBpfMyYpLs

[@robinhaines4960]

@@kaboulscabal4816 Ah, another Sabaton fan. 😎

[@johnkochen7264]

Adolf Galland was the ace who had an ashtray in his 109. A very colorful man indeed.

[@PanzerChicken69]

Lol, you are 100% correct! I have a 1/32 scale model of his Bf 109 WITH a tiny (4x2x3mm) ashtray AND sigar!!

[@drstrangelove4998]

Excellent production. Wasn’t Steinhoff crash caused by one of his wheels catching in a bomb crater?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! And yes I think that was the cause. The account of his crash is truly horrific to read.

[@andyc3088]

Adolf Gallard, book 'The First and the Last: Germany's Fighter Force in WWII' is a good read

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks for that. I was wondering this week if he’d written a book so will find a copy! Thank you!

[@firstcitytraveler]

The book " A Higher Call" by Adam Makos last section covers Jagdverband 44. This was an excellent video that took us to the airfield and area described in the book. As usual your knowledge and research are amazing. Keep up the great work.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I spoke a fair bit with Adam before filming this and thanks to him I was able to locate the former Mess and Operations building in Feldkirchen!

[@bettylaselli2048]

​@@WW2Wayfinderwow! Great work, thanks for sharing ❤

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome!

[@brianperry]

l read the book a few years ago, Franz Stigler narrative of his career and comments on camera when being interviewed ...very moving

[@ghorn3136]

I had the honor and pleasure to meet and listen to Adolf Galland at a dinner presentation at which he spoke and can only confirm what others have said about him… He was an honorable professional and a talented aviator and humorous speaker.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Wow! That must have been incredible to meet him! I can imagine he carried himself as a gentleman from the post war interviews I’ve seen with him. Definitely a moment to treasure!

[@viktoriaironpride4977]

@ghorn. have you ever heard that one that "it is better to have a good enemy than a bad friend?" So true!

[@williambrandt9254]

The real decimation of the Luftwaffe occurred during "the big week" when an all out effort was made to clear the skies of the Luftwaffe in preparation for D-Day. Certainly the Luftwaffe fighter arm wasn't hurt very much in 1942 when we suffered such horrendous losses or 1943 There is a great book by Adam Makos called "a higher call" which is about the lives of a American bomber pilot who was saved by the compassion of a German fighter ace, Frantz Stigler The author talks about life in each respective Air Force and Stigler was sent to the same airfield number and it was thought Adolf Galland was in danger of being arrested and executed by Goring. Instead Göring sent him here to form this unit with the expectation that he would be killed. If you want to know more about this and life at this airbase towards the ending days of World War II this book is excellent

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I’ve spoken with Adam numerous times about JV44 and other units. He’s a really nice chap to talk to!

[@stubi1103]

My father was a German pilot too as a Nightfighter in the (2te NJG 3) in Denmark (Grove and Schleswig) and he was well edjucated, he got the (ELF 2A) Erweiterter Lufwaffenführerschein Klasse 2 mit astronomischer Ausbildung, (Extended airforce license class 2 with astronomy training). He was very modest and came from a working-class family in Westphalia. I could say so much here, but that would go too far. The only important thing to me is that I hope that one day people will realize that not all Germans were Nazis, but cosmopolitan and educated people who were forced to do things they never wanted to do. My father was charged at the end of the war because he was responsible for a crash landing with over 20% damage. He spent 10 days in prison in Bavaria and was threatened with the death penalty and only because there weren't enough pilots left he was acquitted. What a sick and criminal regime... Thank you for this factual and good contribution, thumbs up and subscribed !... 👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you for sharing that about your Father! Incredible to think he’d be charged for something outside of his control and mostly likely it was his skill as a pilot that limited the damage! Thank you for taking the time to watch and subscribing as I really appreciate it!

[@stubi1103]

@@WW2Wayfinder Thank you very much Sir ! 👍

[@stubi1103]

@@Hundshunt Was meinst du mit Jaffa und xreal?

[@johnschofield9496]

Very interesting and informative video. I really appreciate when the subject is a deep dive instead of just a fly over of commonly known information. Thank You ! BTW, I just acquired an autographed biography Of Adolph Galland. He was a true German patriot, not a N^zi zealot.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it! I think JV44 are a really interesting unit as I imagine the party looked at them and the pilots who flew with Galland as essentially dead men walking. Not quite a penal battalion but as good as given Galland’s kick back against Göring and then the Fighter Pilots revolt. As you say, patriots and exceptional pilots!

[@simonrooney7942]

While the Me 262 story of delays due to the fighter bomber is popular- I understand it was the problems getting the jumo jet engines to work was more the delay.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Also the raid on Regensburg on the 17th August 1943 when the initial 262 airframes were destroyed during the road on that fateful day.

[@simonrooney7942]

@@WW2Wayfinder hence why the factories went underground

[@b212hp]

Erich Hartmann (352 kills) was also invited to join JV44. He flew the -262, and liked it, but chose to stay with JG52 and his boys. It cost him 10 and a half years in the Gulags.

[@alantoon5708]

Hartmann was captured by Americans but as he had flown in the east he was turned over to the Russians. He was a bit bitter about that...

[@georgeholland6725]

1

[@TylerG7777]

I just finished the book, A Higher Call by, Makos. This video was a great follow up to that book. Great information and very well done. If you haven’t read that book about the incredible true story of an event that occurred between German fighter ace Franz Stiegler and the American B-17 bomber Captain Charlie Brown, I highly recommended it. Exciting and moving true story.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with Adam a few times and he’s a very knowledgeable chap! I need to read his other books as they are sat on my books held but I just haven’t had time to get to them yet but you’re absolutely right A Higher Call is wonderful.

[@larryburwell8550]

great historical video. i really enjoyed it. my dads bomber group 455th bg 323 bs b26 bombers came up against some of these me 262s on a couple missions in germany but had small damage or losses. this was in march 1945 based on my dads dairy of missions. thanks for posting. Larry

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks for sharing that Larry! I have a huge amount of respect for the men of the USAAF and flying into those hostile skies above Europe.

[@guillermohoffmann8417]

Lt Karl Heinz Hoffmann served in JV-44 flying those FW190 Dora

[@paullevins5448]

Very informative! My Dad was a sort of WW2 History buff. He through books introduced me to all or most of the German Air Force Aces. This podcast you created brought all of these old heros back to my memory. Thank you.

[@michaelpilling531]

Hello Jon - greetings from Poland. One word about this superb video - Fascinating! What an incredible story about the ME 262 squadron. Very brave men. Some may say fanatical because they were Aces, knowing the allied advance was unstoppable and the war was lost. A brilliant history lesson, wonderfully told and explained.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! It's an intriguing unit to study and quite remarkable given it's birth especially at that late stage of the war! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@daystatesniper01]

Really enjoyed this thank you , i wonder what would have happened if Germany had not allied itself to Japan and not declared war on the USA what the outcome would have been ?

[@paulbrennan3996]

Adolf Galland was an honourable man whom had respect by his own men and was held in high reguard by Allied airmen respect to a legendary flyer R.I.P 👏🙏🤝. A leader of men 🤝🙏

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Very much so. Definitely maintained a code of honour throughout the war and after that was evident in the amount of Allied pilots he became friends with post war

[@paulbrennan3996]

@@WW2Wayfinder yeah so many Allied airmen Did want to meet Him 🤝. If the Germans had greater numbers of The Me 262 s the war would of gone on longer. When Hitler wanted to fit bombs he made a mistake and Adolf Galland Knew that

[@canuck600A]

The RAF & Commonwealth Pilots respected Galland enough to be invited to at least one pilot reunion which took place in Winnipeg Canada, My dad who was a driver in the RCAF at the time was appointed as Galland's driver because he could speak German. Dad ended up with a autographed copy of Galland's biography. Haven't seen the book in about 25 years. I hope it's still someplace on a bookshelf in the basement

[@kl0wnkiller912]

In the mid-1980s I was stationed in Augsburg and worked at the Gablingen Field Station. The field station was set right on top of an old German WW2 airfield and we were told it was the same Airfield that Hess took off from when he flew to Great Britain to negotiate a surrender. When I was there, the old airstrip was still quite visible and there were a lot of the old, original German buildings in a fenced-off area. I extensively explored those old buildings. You could even see the outlines where the old Nazi eagles had been chipped off the walls. There were rumors of an underground base under the airfield and under the old officers mess kitchens I found a heavily armored dumbwaiter that went down but the door were welded shut so I could never get in. The year I left in 1985 those old buildings were plowed down but I am sure there is something under there...

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh wow! I bet that was fun to explore there! Makes you wonder what’s still left hidden from all those years ago!

[@jefclark]

Whats interesting is there were rumors about underground installations at other previously Wehrmacht bases now occupied by allies. I've heard heavy mentions of these rumors at Celle in the British zone for example. Of course not saying you are wrong, the armored dumb waiter is suspicious and Im sure they would have walled off anything to prevent access to a probably flooding and dangerous subterranean area. It would be fascinating if anything was down there though.

[@kl0wnkiller912]

Actually there are a lot of people that served at Gablingen that were actually in the underground areas and have posted on other sites about it. In the 1970s a collapse opened up a part of the tunnel complex and several MPs explored it, thinking it was a Russian incursion. They said it went deeper but was flooded. I believe Gablingen is mentioned in other groups here because of the FLR-9 antenna that we operated there. Gab is the only one in the world left standing and the German military is still operating it.@@jefclark

[@billbright1755]

262 “ quick bomb aircraft “ Strategic metals unavailability meant substitute metals were used in jet engines. Resulting in low hour lifespan. Also very sensitive to throttle manipulation to avoid flame out and no restart condition. One engine out condition could only struggle and required a glide to landing field and vulnerability.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

They were definitely on to something but as you say so many flaws with it. I think each engine had 9 hours life span before it required a serious overhaul!

[@robertmorey4104]

Excellent photos, maps and narration. Very fascinating. Love hearing stories of the Luftwaffe aces - even though they were the enemy at the time.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed and JV44 is a very interesting unit given how and why it was formed!

[@4rdF1Hunny]

So glad I found your channel. Amazing work and knowledge of the not so widely told stories of WW2. It’s amazing how much there still is to learn.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I think it’s a great subject to study but you definitely have to come to terms early on that it’s far to big a topic to cover every aspect that’s why I’ve mostly stuck with North West Europe and even then narrowed it down to the Air War and specific ground units!

[@keithbartlett9048]

Every fighter designed during the Third Reich had a ground attack version parallel in design at the same time. Both Messerschmitt and Kurt Tank designed their fighter's with multi role functions built into them. That's why the jabo fighter's was successful at the job. So saying Hitler demanded it be a bomber is a very miss leading post ww2 myth. The Luftwaffe was designed for more tactical then strategic fighting.

[@SharkHustler]

Good point!

[@faeembrugh]

I think military history produces the worst pedantic knit-pickers, and after having said that...the 30mm MK108 wasn't the 'Mark 108'. MK, of course, stands for Maschinenkanone. Sorry! Great vid nevertheless.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Haha no worries, I wasn’t aware of that and was thinking very much with my Brit head on, so Mk was very much ‘Mark’ but really appreciate that and makes far more sense when every gun the Germans used such as the KwK 36 main gun on the Tiger!

[@danilorainone406]

during BoB galland luftflotten 5 were respected among RAF fighter squadrons for fair fights ,decent treatment of downed fliers then taken POW,,those who needed doctors got to see them straight off,douglas bader the legless fighter pilot of 242 duxford was among PWs treated by luftwaffe doctors even hosted in friendly gestures at the st omer base,,that account is up on mutliple sites here,,,galland got in the reconstituted luftwaffe after the war too, he was on a tv program in britain,he and bader met again,,not knowing either that the other old enemy was to be on the pgm too

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Galland was definitely a true gentleman as well as deadly in the air. Very much of the old breed and just happened to be on the wrong side. I love the photos of Galland, Bader, Bob Stamford Tuck and other pilots from that era all togethr as friends.

[@johneertwegh6261]

That has to be the best description I have ever heard. I'm pretty well read on the subject but you covered everything including small things I didn't know about, great job!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! JV44 is such an interesting unit so it was great to be able to document them from the very airfield they flew from, although it’s a shame it’s now apartment buildings!

[@suepalin9202]

Thank you, Jon, for a fascinating video about this branch of the Luftwaffe. Adolf Galland and Douglas Bader became good friends (and golfing adversaries!) after the War and I wonder if there are other Luftwaffe and RAF pilots who also did the same?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I know Galland was also close friends with Robert Stanford Tuck so I’m sure others made similar connections but just weren’t as well publicised. Also with Galland being an advisor on Battle of Britain it helped with all of that. Glad you enjoyed the episode!

[@suepalin9202]

As RAF and Luftwaffe advisers, they must have had some very interesting conversations during the making of that film. I always enjoy anything relating to the RAF; my mother's first fiance was a WOp with 49 Sqn at RAF Fiskerton. Sadly, he and the rest of the JB 701 were shot down on 29th July 1944 when returning from a raid of Stuttgart. They are all buried in a CWG at St Martin-sur-Oreuse. KBO, Jon!@@WW2Wayfinder

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I bet their conversations would have made an incredible book! I’m sorry to read that about your Mothers first fiancé. If you have the opportunity I highly recommend going to the museum at East Kirkby (Lincs Aviation Heritage Museum) to see their Lancaster and Mosquito if you haven’t already been. It’s a wonderful tribute to the men of Bomber Command!

[@suepalin9202]

Thanks, Jon. I must get to East Kirkby one day as it looks fascinating - and is reputedly haunted....Several years ago, I went to the Yorkshire Air Museum on the old RAF Elvington base and the control tower had such a sad and rather angry atmosphere. I really felt that I was not wanted in the building which, apparently, other visitors have also experienced. Strange places, these old airfields...@@WW2Wayfinder

[@dwightadams3853]

I recently learned about this fighter group from the book, A Higher Calling (2012) by Adam Makos. I was unaware that this group existed.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thats a great book and I've been fortunate to speak with Adam prior to filming this and helped me with the location of the orphanage that was used as their mess and operations HQ!

[@eamo106]

WW2 Wayfinder: Recently subscribed from TX ..ex UK. This post is exceptional, new and happy to subscribe. Mark Felton has a friend and now some serious competition, you doing more of what he did originally! I particularly like your feet on the ground approach, the many inserts of much information and data that we can see. VERY WELL DONE WAYFINDER ! It must have been a long work, many hours, to put this together and we all thank you. .

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I know covering German topics can be very contentious but I think JV44 are worthy of mention given how and why they formed as a unit and to be able to walk the ground where they flew from was a great experience even if most of it now has been completely redeveloped!

[@LeveretteJamesClifford1955]

Mark is a great guy, he and I worked on a project together which I stared alone in about 2002, and shared with him the results of my research and he took it much farther. Wish I could say what it was about but we agreed that beyond his video, which is purposely vague, we would not talk about it with anyone! This is kind of a mean thing to do because it seems like bait to get you to ask what was it? but I won't talk beyond saying we worked on something together.

[@eamo106]

@@LeveretteJamesClifford1955 Mate, I love Mark Felton as all. Just posted to draw some traction to Wayfinder's page, 1+1=2 for us, Also subscribed to 'Toflyandfight' Bud Anderson , WWII triple Ace 101 yo Good solid WWII pages !

[@eamo106]

@@WW2Wayfinder response @on-our-radar-24news is Flighttradar24 ?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

General Anderson is a wonderful man! I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with him via letters and he is very much one of my hero’s!

[@alantoon5708]

It was the war of attrition with the Mighty Eighth that really did not start until GEN Doolittle took command (and GEN Kepner took charge of 8th AAF fighters) that things really went south for Galland's fighters. The development and use of long range drop tanks on the P-47 and the later introduction of the P-51 provided long range fighter escort. And the change of philosophy with Doolittle (fighters were directed to destroy the Luftwaffe wherever it could be found.. before they were tied to the bombers). Back in the 1980's I heard General Galland speak, as well as General Rall. The likes of those will not be seen again...

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Very much so! Doolittle and Kepner were the game changers for the 8th AAF along with the development in the aircraft of course but those 2 and their vision of how to project their force really did put the mail in the Liftwaffes coffin. Must have been amazing to listen to Galland and Rall speak!!

[@alantoon5708]

@@WW2Wayfinder It was. Along with Bob Stanford Tuck and David McCampbell.

[@91Redmist]

Wow. Didn't know the 262 had those operating limitations. To be as successful as they were, it was a testament to the skill and courage of their pilots. Glad to see you back on your feet and making more videos!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

It was a great aircraft but fortunately for the Allies Germanys severe lack of resources really limited it’s performance and what it could have been. Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for watching 😃

[@Crashed131963]

@@WW2Wayfinder WW2 was just about math . If the 262 had no flaws and every pilots was a Ace , you just not winning when the Allies can outproduce Germany in everything 6 to 1. 10 Me 262 VS 60 P-51s Mustangs in a air battle who would you bet on?

[@boydgrandy5769]

The Me-262 when the engines were spooled up at altitude was at least 100 miles per hour faster than any Allied fighter. It was not a dog fighter, as the throttle controls on the aircraft had to be gently changed on order to avoid compressor stalls or flame outs, so it had to rely on its speed to dictate the terms of the engagement. The rate of fire of the MK-103 30mm cannons was low and the plane only carried about 40 rounds per gun. The 30mm round was slow, with a lot of ballistic drop, something not suited to engaging a 400 MPH + maneuvering fighter. It was a bomber killer. A one second burst into a B-17 would register 3 or more hits, and the explosive shells would tear apart the bomber. The closure rate of the Me-262 onto a heavy bomber target was between 350 to over 700 miles per hour, giving the pilot only a scant second to line up and fire the cannons. After 4 or 5 passes, the Me-262 was out of ammunition and had to return to base to refuel and rearm. Because the early jet engines were not very efficient, they were fuel hogs, which significantly limited the range and flight time of the new jet. The fragility of the jet engines dictated major maintenance for every 50 hours of operation and engine replacement every 100 hours. By April, 1945, the logistical system of the Third Reich had collapsed, which made spare parts, fuel and ammunition for these planes almost impossible to get. Records indicate that there were 25 fighters assigned to the unit, with only 6 ever in operational condition at any one time. Records indicate that the jets in this unit shot down 47 Allied aircraft, with the loss of 10 or so in combat. This is at a time when the Allies were flying over 1000 bombers per day, and replacing their losses at a rate greater than the Germans could shoot them down. Way too little and too late. Had this plane flown in combat in 1943 in numbers, it might have prolonged the war, but was not going to win it.

[@jaredneaves7007]

I keep trying to get a copy of Adolf Galland's book "The First and the Last" but it is always out of stock. "The German Aces Speak" 1 and 2 are also really good ones that detail the revolt against Goering. There were some cases of them thinking they might be assasinated after speaking up.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I’ve just ordered mine from Amazon, but I think that was through a local seller using Amazon as it’s second hand. Hope you’re able to get a copy soon!

[@Baskerville22]

I think that, even by March 1944, the fate of Germany was sealed and whatever the ME 262 could accomplish, it was always going to be "a drop in the bucket" given the overwhelming might of Allied air-power.

[@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935]

Lots of them were unused, no fuel and no pilots in the final shambles.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Very much so. So many factors conspired against it being of any real worth to the Luftwaffe fortunately.

[@Baskerville22]

@@Eric-kn4yn D-Day was the least of Germany's troubles. The USSR was unstoppable in the East & the US industrial strength was just too much.

[@jpmtlhead39]

Adolf Galland in my opinion was the Best Lutfwaffe pilot of the war. Since 1939 until the end in 1945 he flew every single lufttwaffe airplane,and despite being a General what ment that his place was on the lufttwaffe high Command staff planning operations,he always make sure to his man that when need he was there flying among them in the most dangerous combat missions. And he did,even flying the ME 262 with 6 confirmed victories. Also shot down hurricanes,Spitfires,B-17,B-24,B-26,P-38 and Blenheim. He was a Real Ace of the skies. An air force General flying combat missions during so many years,and being an extraordinaire Fighter pilot with dozens and dozens of victories on his resume says it all abaut the Genious of this Man.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Absolutely agree, he led from the front even when he was appointed head of the Fighter Arm, not often you find a senior officer like that in any service!

[@northdevonpictures826]

Good channel and presentation style - you actually take us to these places and bring it all to back to life. That's my Sunday night viewing sorted and I look forward to more. Cheers Jon.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it! Sadly not really much to see there but it was nice to be able to bring the target photo back to the place it was taken at all those years ago!

[@bobwinters6665]

Very good documentary, actually the best on JV44. Thanks.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! That’s very kind of you to say so and it was quite something to visit their former airfield even if most of it has been drastically redeveloped.

[@wolfganggugelweith8760]

Brave German pilots! 😺👍💪😎🐺

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Very much so!

[@yorkan213swd6]

…fighting for a regime who killed millions of people.

[@MGC1957]

Another great video Jon. Very informative. Thank you.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

My pleasure! It's an interesting place to walk around knowing what took place there and the small original building that is still left had a small exhibition regarding the wartime history of the airfield but sadly it was closed the day I visited.

[@richardmardis2492]

Wow, thanks for your work- excellent! A bunch of information I never knew. You’re living my dream 🤣

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it. It’s just a shame more isn’t left of the airfield as it’s barely recognisable today!

[@joevanseeters2873]

Very informative documentary. I've known of this story for many years but your research and presentation brought to light several things I did not know about the story and some of the incredible pilots who were the close inner circle of Galland. These pilots were honorable men who fought for their belief of their country and homeland, not the Nazi's, which was a political party. Goering was a fat, greedy, embarrassing, conniving, drug addicted, and untrustworthy figure who should have never been in charge of the Luftwaffe (or anything else) in the first place. Goering was given far too much power in the beginning and it went straight to his head (and his fat WALLET) as soon as he got a little power under his belt. Had Goering just let Galland do what he was brought on to do in the first place after the death of his good friend Molders, who knows what the outcome of the war would have been. Galland was a master tactician in air combat, with combat experience to back it up, full of gusto, and had extremely effective tactics and ideas, and if he had been allowed to implement many of his ideas, the air war over Europe may have been much different. Galland was also a very effective and charismatic leader, and could "rally the troops" so to speak and get the very best and most experienced pilots behind him and his ideas which is exactly what you need when you want a campaign to be it's most effective and have the best chance to succeed.

[@longdatedoptionsleaps6112]

Adolf Galland “we flew and fought till the end”

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I just received my copy through the post and can’t wait to start reading it!

[@longdatedoptionsleaps6112]

@@WW2Wayfinder he was one of the 1st pilots to fly the Jet fighter ME262 in early 1943 and begged to have the entire resources of the Luftwaffe on the production of only 2 aircraft the ME262 and the FW190…

[@snook279]

Another great video! Thank you so much for helping us all learn some of the untold stories.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

No worries! Glad you enjoyed it! Quite interesting looking into the other side and some of the lesser known aspects of the Luftwaffe!

[@kerrygrittner5733]

Jg 53 managed 19 jets on 8 May " Temporary loss of air superiority over Berlin"

[@orwellboy1958]

Absolutely fascinating. Thanks Jon. This channel is criminally undersubcribed.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it! JV44 is a really interesting topic I think in amongst the wartime Luftwaffe given how most of the pilots went against the system.

[@orwellboy1958]

@@WW2Wayfinder indeed as you said they could quite easily have gone the way of Rommel.

[@DutchDaveModels]

Thanks for this historical field trip ✨👍✨

[@WW2Wayfinder]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@christiankoch8369]

Gallands First flight of the 262 ,ITS a Engel schiebt

[@nickdanger3802]

7.00 four times as many aircraft lost on west front 9/43-10/44

[@mikehall5815]

Never knew anything about the fighter pilot revolt. Again very informative! Thank you!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

It was quite the event, and not dissimilar to Von Stauffenberg's bomb plot in the sense the openly fought back against the regime and were committing a treasonous act albeit in a very different manner.

[@jiyushugi1085]

Recently read 'Die Ersten und die Letzten' ('The First and the Last') Galland's autobiography.Highly recommend it!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Just had my copy through the post yesterday so really looking forward to reading it! I also got a copy of Hartmann’s book too

[@gilh3947]

For a moment there i thought you were talking about today's Russia: I mean... war hero's ...not able to execute them because he does not look good... so other ways to deal with it. :-). Great video.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you

[@adamellson153]

The moment you get home from a long day at work and find your favourite KZbinr has uploaded another superb video on a great topic, ah happy days, Another awesome video, I learn something new every time, I just really enjoy the fact you can tell you have a passion for it, and have the knowledge to share,

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it! JV44 despite only existing for a few weeks is such an interesting unit. If you can I’d recommend a copy of A Higher Calling by Adam Makos as he covers the unit in that book. Thanks again for watching and hope it made your Tuesday a little better!

[@jas_1959]

Who needs the "History Channel" once again an excellent episode. 👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Very kind of you to say so! Although occasionally I’d welcome their travel budget and research team 🤣

[@DannyBoy777777]

Decent, but dates are wrong. His official appointment was the 6 December 1941.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

All the sources I’ve read say November 1941 but perhaps it’s the difference between the appointment being made and then him taking up the role officially 🤷🏻‍♂️. I’ve got his book in the post so will be interesting to see what that says but thank you for the info!

[@DannyBoy777777]

@WW2Wayfinder If you read the JG 26 war diary by Caldwell, the passing of the command ceremony was 6 December, this was the date he left JG 26 formally. Galland himself said that Göring told him he would be the nextt general at Mölder's funeral, but his procrastination delayed it over a week. Incidently the ceremony was photographed because Göring was there to make sure it happened. Schöpfel took over.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

From Galland’s book Göring stated he would take over the role in November 1941. His first day in office was the 6th December. So both are correct.

[@casanova1914]

Wenn das Flugbenzin nicht ausgegangen wäre und die ME 262 früher in Massenproduktion gestartet wäre...

[@vumba1331]

So many 'ifs', so many possibilities, always that is the nature of war.

[@volkerkonig9376]

Wäre die Atombombe irgendwo über Deutschland abgeworfen worden. Die Bombe wurde nämlich primär gegen Nazi- Deutschland gebaut aus Furcht dass die Deitschen die Bombe zuerst hätten.

[@RobJones262]

Great to hear these stories from the opposing side. I've visited many of the mentioned US airfields, they're dotted all around me. Thanks again for another superb video. ;)

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh nice! I’m a big fan of the USAAF, and all aspects of the air war over Europe to be honest. Getting to visit Munich Riem and look at this unique Luftwaffe unit was definitely a good day! Speaking of USAAF based if you haven’t already been and depending on your location I highly recommend a visit to the museum at Harrington (you can find their details on google). A little known BG operated there but the story is incredible!

[@RobJones262]

@@WW2Wayfinder A couple of hours drive from me but looks worth a visit. Thanks

[@ergot57]

seems they should have focused on long barreled stugs, and PZ 4s, 109 or Folke wolfes, aircraft and 262s and never bothered with the huge costs of V-2, V-1, Comets, Tigers, Panthers and the like. Those tried and effective models would have done well in much larger numbers.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Agreed, the wonder weapons and heavy tanks were (fortuantely) the wrong way for them to go. It would have been a very different story if they had mass produced the Pz IV!

[@marvinmartin4692]

Everybody talks about how great the 262’s were, but I can’t help but wonder; what was there fuel range? They had to suck fuel like mad! And how did they handle? How were they at maneuvering? They had to have shortcomings!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Fuel was an issue, and the engines would drink more at lower altitude. Mosquito pilot Colin Bell describes wonderfully how a 262 latched onto him and he knew if he dived and got to low level he could likely survive as the 262 would run out of fuel! In terms of handling they were good but for the best attack methods they were a boom and zoom rather than turning fighter and clearly very vulnerable at slow speeds

[@gerrydepp8164]

Fantastic presentation! Glad to have found you; cant wait to watch more of your vids. Cheers from Aotearoa

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it and welcome to the channel! 😃

[@Gunthazv2]

Galland had a telescope installed through his 109E cockpit in BoB due to his poor eyesight. Also famous for having a cigar lighter/ashtray next to his fuel lines

[@WW2Wayfinder]

That’s right! Certainly a character in the Luftwaffe!

[@Ozgur72]

In "a Higher Call" Frantz Stigler who was a member of this group tells the story of the Galland Squadron.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

That’s a wonderful book and I’ve spoke. At length with the author about it.

[@cartersmith8560]

the man who took him down on that last flight, Jim Finnegan, lived in my town, San Rafael CA

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh wow! Did you get to meet him at all?

[@FalkeEins]

small point. Galland had THREE brothers who flew fighters. See the article about Fritz Galland on FalkeEins Luftwaffe blog. I would disagree with your assessment of Galland's competence - for example, he totally failed to appreciate the importance of blind flying training. Luftwaffe fighter pilots couldn't fly in poor weather or cloud. Only the desperate expedient of putting bomber pilots in fighters (wilde Sau) saw interceptions in bad weather..

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I knew he had two brothers but wasn’t aware of the third, I’ll have a look for that blog post, thank you! As for his competence, yes the Luftwaffe was extremely flawed in many respects but I would still argue in pure fighter tactics Galland held a high level of competency, but as you say they neglected so many vital supporting aspects of operating aircraft, resting aircrew and aircraft development etc that they were always going to come up second best regardless of how skilled individual pilots were in combat.

[@stephenhill560]

Fascinating. I lived in Munich in the mid eighties and flew out of Riem many times. It’s unrecognisable now. Does the old control tower still exist

[@WW2Wayfinder]

The old tower does remain but it’s part of the huge conference/industrial part of the airfield now but does still stand!

[@stephenhill560]

Many thanks

[@redtomcat1725]

I knew of the unit but this video maximized my knowledge !!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it! It’s an interesting unit especially given the compliment of FW-190D’s used to guard their airspace!

[@johnrye6752]

Insightful back story enjoyed the video,cheers....

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it. Quite incredible to think those pilots kicked back against the regime and lived to tell the tale!

[@rsfaeges5298]

I just discovered your channel. I enjoyed this video very much, and have subscribed. 🖖🏻

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you and welcome! Hope you like my other work and I’m just away to the Ardennes for a weeks filming so there will be several Battle of the Bulge videos out in the next few weeks looking at areas often over looked! Thanks again 😃

[@herefordshireregimentalmus8771]

Everyone grab a “Warbird” brew and get this watched! Great video as always!!!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Best coffee there is! Thanks mate!

[@josephpercente8377]

Read the first and the last by galland.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I’ve got a copy on order! Looking forward to reading it.

[@laurielyon7740]

This was (another) wonderful film. The history of WWII is fascinating. Your productions are as good as anything on KZbin and I commend you for your knowledge and efforts.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! That’s very kind of you to say so. It’s just great to be able to share my passion for the subject with such a wide audience!

[@wolframharms5114]

Thank you very much for your very informative, detailed and passionate work on this matter - a very good video about the history of some German fighter pilots!

[@yorkan213swd6]

Thank god the Luftwaffe and Germany in general lost the war. The pilots knew they fighting on the wrong side by this time now.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Very much so and those who were still around by that stage were good pilots!

[@jamesross1799]

Another fascinating video by the way mate. Glad you're back to health mate. I always find your videos very interesting and I enjoy them very much mate.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! It’s a shame the area there has been so redeveloped but it was still great to be able to walk the ground there and get a feel for the place!

[@martinbeeson1140]

Excellent content - great presentation, well-researched, and really captivating.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@nordlandak6853]

Thanks for bringing to light how those pilots fighting the air war were being stifled by the yes men around Hitler.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you. It’s a story worth telling I think as I can only imagine all pilots that flew with Galland in 1945 were regarded with suspicion by the regime.

[@nordlandak6853]

@@WW2Wayfinder id like to know how many of the aces in the unit survived the war. What they did after.

[@volkerkonig9376]

​@@nordlandak6853Galland himself had a career as a freelance- adviser for the industrie. Steinhoff and Barkhorn rised to highest ranks in the new german Luftwaffe and in NATO.

[@64maxpower]

I wonder if anyone made fat jokes or played tuba music when Goering was around

[@WW2Wayfinder]

🤣

[@geraldoram2453]

Extremely interesting. Thank you ever so much.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You're most welcome. JV44 are a fascinating unit, despite flying for the enemy. Quite incredible that even at that late stage in the war they were able to bring together so many veterans into a single outfit!

[@bill2066]

EXCELLENT Presentation .....Thankyou

[@WW2Wayfinder]

@@bill2066 my pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it. JV44 were quite the unit despite only being operational for a short period of time!

[@hansgruber650]

Regardless of the end Germany has produced the best combat and fighter pilots the world will ever know

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Agreed!

[@simoneales2568]

Disagree respectfully, the RAF defeated them in 1941 over English Channel soundly before Americans entered the war. British technology was always cutting edge as well, along with American technology 1942 onward. I respect German airplanes and fighter pilots without a doubt, but they were matched by Allied Aces and aircraft without a doubt.

[@hansgruber650]

@@simoneales2568 Nope.