Nachtjagdgeschwader 2
| Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 September 1940 – 5 May 1945 |
| Country |
 Nazi Germany
|
| Branch |
 Luftwaffe
|
| Type | Night Fighter |
| Role | Air superiority |
| Size | Air Force Wing |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
Geschwaderkennung of 4R |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter |
Junkers Ju 88 Junkers Ju 388 |
Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 (NJG 2) was a German Luftwaffe night fighter-wing of World War II. NJG 2 was formed on 1 September 1940 in Gilze en Rijen from II./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (NJG 1). Stab I./NJG 2 was formed from Stab II./NJG 1,while 1./NJG 2 was formed from 4./NJG1 equipped with the Junkers Ju 88C-1. 2./NJG 2 was raised from 5./NJG 1 with Do 17Z-7/10, and 3./NJG 2 from 6./NJG 1 with the Junkers Ju 88C-2. 4./NJG 2 was formed in November 1940 in Gilze Rijen from elements of 1./Zerstörergeschwader 2 (ZG 2).
III./NJG 2 was formed in March 1942, and in October redesignated II./NJG 2. In July 1943 a new III Gruppe was formed from V./Nachtjagdgeschwader 6 (NJG 6). In October 1944 III Gruppe became IV./Nachtjagdgeschwader 3 (NJG 3), and the IV./NJG 3 became the new III./NJG 2.
I./NJG 2's initial role was unlike the other units of the Luftwaffe night fighter arm; as a Fernnachtjagd Gruppe they were tasked with long-range intruder missions over the UK, disrupting night flying training and harassing the returning Royal Air Force (RAF) bombers over their own airfields.
Luftflotte 3's radio intercepts of Bomber Command's transmissions helped pinpoint the operational airfields in Eastern England. I./NJG 2 aircraft could then scramble to be over the airfields at the predicted times of the bomber's return.
The technique employed was to mix with the returning bombers, orbit the bases, and either shoot down targets that presented themselves or drop 50 kilograms (110 lb) bombs across the runways.
Based at Gilze-Rijen in the Netherlands, operations commenced using just 7 JU 88 C-1 night fighters. Although most missions were carried out using the Junkers Ju 88C-1 and C-2, a few Dornier Do 215B-5 fighter conversions were trialled in the spring of 1941.
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