Jagdgeschwader 132

''Jagdgeschwader'' 132 (JG 132) was a fighter wing of Nazi Germany's Luftwaffe before World War II. Formed in 1934 under the cover of ''Reklamestaffel Mitteldeutschland des DLV''. In 1938, the wing was renamed ''Jagdgeschwader'' 131 and in May 1939 became ''Jagdgeschwader'' 2 "Richthofen". The second formation of JG 132 in November 1938 was initiated by renaming ''Jagdgeschwader'' 234 to JG 132 which then became ''Jagdgeschwader'' 26 "Schlageter" in May 1939. I. ''Gruppe'' of JG 132 was given the honorary name "Richthofen", named after Manfred von Richthofen, in March 1935. With the reformation of JG 132 in November 1938, the ''Geschwader'' carried the honorary name "Schlageter", named after Albert Leo Schlageter.

History

JG 132 was the oldest fighter unit of the Luftwaffe, its roots dating back to 1934. The first element of JG 132 formed was I. '' Gruppe'' (1st group) under the cover name ''Reklamestaffel Mitteldeutschland des DLV'' (Advertisement Squadron Middle Germany of the German Air Sports Association) on 1 May 1934 in Döberitz. The ''Gruppe'' was placed under the command of ''Major'' Robert Ritter von Greim. On 1 April 1935, II. ''Gruppe'' of JG 132 was created at Jüterbog Airfield and placed under the command of ''Hauptmann'' Johann Raithel. The ''Geschwaderstab'' (headquarters unit) of JG 132 was established on 1 April 1936, making it the first ''Geschwaderstab'' of the Luftwaffe. Now a ''Major'', Raithel was appointed JG 132s first ''Geschwaderkommodore'' (wing commander). Command of II. ''Gruppe'' was then handed to ''Major'' Carl-August von Schoenebeck. On 1 July 1938, III. ''Gruppe'' of JG 132 under the command of ''Major'' Ernst Bormann was formed at Jüterbog Airfield. Tenure of the ''Gruppe'' with JG 132 ended on 1 November 1938 when the unit was detached and became the II. ''Gruppe'' of ''Zerstörergeschwader'' 141 (ZG 141—141st Destroyer Wing). IV. ''Gruppe'' of JG 132 was also formed on 1 July 1938 and headed by ''Oberstleutnant'' Theo Osterkamp. The ''Gruppe'' left JG 132 on 3 November to form the nucleus of a new ''Jagdgeschwader'', becoming the I. ''Gruppe'' of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 331 (JG 331—331st Fighter Wing) which later became the I. ''Gruppe'' of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing). On 1 November 1938, JG 132 was renamed and became ''Jagdgeschwader'' 131 (JG 131—131st Fighter Wing).

On 1 November 1938, the same day JG 132 was renamed to JG 131, ''Jagdgeschwader'' 234 "Schlageter" (JG 234—234th Fighter Wing), under the command of ''Oberst'' Eduard Ritter von Schleich, was also renamed and became the second instance of JG 132. On 1 May 1939, JG 132 was again renamed and became ''Jagdgeschwader'' 26 "Schlager".

Commanding officers

Wing commanders

On 1 November 1938, JG 132 was renamed and became the newly formed JG 131 while on the same day elements of JG 234 became the second instance of JG 132.

Group commanders

I. ''Gruppe'' of JG 132

On 1 November 1938, I. ''Gruppe'' of JG 132 was renamed and became the newly formed I. ''Gruppe'' of JG 131 while on the same day I. ''Gruppe'' of JG 234 became the second instance of I. ''Gruppe'' of JG 132.

II. ''Gruppe'' of JG 132

On 1 November 1938, II. ''Gruppe'' of JG 132 became the I. ''Gruppe'' of ZG 141 while on the same day II. ''Gruppe'' of JG 234 became the second instance of II. ''Gruppe'' of JG 132.

III. ''Gruppe'' of JG 132

On 1 November 1938, III. ''Gruppe'' of JG 132 became the II. ''Gruppe'' of ZG 141.

IV. ''Gruppe'' of JG 132

On 3 November 1938, IV. ''Gruppe'' of JG 132 became the I. ''Gruppe'' of JG 331.

References

Citations

Bibliography

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{{Jagdgeschwader of the Luftwaffe

Fighter wings of the Luftwaffe 1933-1945
Military units and formations established in 1934
Military units and formations disestablished in 1939