JG 2
| Jagdgeschwader 2 | |
|---|---|
JG 2 Richthofen
|
|
| Active | 1939–45 |
| Country |
 Nazi Germany
|
| Branch |
 Luftwaffe
|
| Type | Fighter Aircraft |
| Role | Air superiority |
| Size | Air Force Wing |
| Nickname(s) | Richthofengeschwader |
| Patron | Manfred von Richthofen |
| Decorations | References in the Wehrmachtbericht (5) |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Helmut Wick |
Jagdgeschwader 2 (JG 2) "Richthofen" was a fighter wing in the Luftwaffe during World War II.
The unit was formed from parts of Jagdgeschwader 131 on 1 May 1939 in Döberitz and its first commander was Colonel Robert Ritter von Greim. At the outbreak of the war JG 2 based in the Berlin area under Luftgaukommando III. Stab and II. Gruppe were equipped with the Bf 109E and were located at Döberitz with 10.(N) staffel flying the Bf 109D in Straussberg. 10.(N) Staffel was one of the first night fighter units formed in the Luftwaffe. Later this staffel was expanded into IV.(N) Gruppe.
The unit saw little combat until the invasion of France and the Low Countries from 10 May 1940 onwards. Helmut Wick in the Battle of Britain claimed his and the Geschwader's first victory on 22 November 1939, a French Curtiss Hawk Model 75 of GCII/4 near Strasbourg. The second victory for the JG 2 was scored by Erwin Kley (3. Staffel) at nearly the same time.
In preparation for Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, most fighter units were transferred to locations close to Germany's eastern borders by May 1941.
Two fighter wings were left in North Western Europe, JG 2 and JG 26. For the next two years these two formations were the main adversaries to the RAF's daytime operations over Europe. The two wings maintained around 120 serviceable Bf 109E and F’s to face the increasing number of RAF Fighter Command sweeps conducted to both wear down the Luftwaffe in a war of attrition and relieve pressure on the Eastern Front.
The 21 June 1941 proved one of the most intensive days combat on the channel front in 1941, with two RAF Circuses flown. II./JG 2 and JG 26 claimed ten and eight Spitfires downed respectively. (Actual Spitfire losses were three). Several of the JG 2 aces added to their scores; Ofw. Kurt Bühligen of 4./JG 2 claimed three Spitfires and Lt. Siegfried Schnell (also 4./JG 2) claimed two Spitfires.
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