Aircraft Numbers Squadron/Group (Fight)

[LG-1_BARCLAY]

 

 

Good day.

 

I have a problem with the numbering of the individual planes within a squadron. (Staffel)

 

My information so far is:

A group has a target strength of 3 (later 4) squadrons A squadron has a target strength of 12 aircraft

Makes 36-48 aircraft (excluding staff group)

 

Actually, I was of the opinion that within each squadron the planes be numbered from 1 to 12.

 

But since I have always found original pictures of airplanes that have a higher number than 12, like (16) or (20), it would seem that the numbering rather from the I.Group/1.Squad to the III. (IV.) Group/1st season would have to go.

 

So No.1 = first aircraft of the I. Gruppe/1. Staffel

No.2 = first aircraft of II.Gruppe/1st Staffel and so forth.

 

This is then repeated in the 2nd to 3rd (4th) Season per group.

My question now is whether it's really correct, because unfortunately I haven't seen any pictures where an aircraft is marked with the number 36 or 48.

 

thanks for replies Have a nice day everyone

 

(Translated by Google)

[357th_KW]

I believe the numbers were per staffel (and generally color coded to deal with repeated numbers).  The reason you see high numbers is that in some cases the number of aircraft on hand could be far in excess of the “official” strength, typically while re-equipping.  As an example: http://ww2.dk/oob/bestand/jagd/biijg26.html. In July 1944 we can see that II./JG26 received 84 new 190’s and still had 67 on hand at the end of the month.

[ACG_Ginger]

 

[LukeFF]

Additionally, a Gruppe would have a number of spare planes on hand, depending on the situation at the front at any given time. So, while a Staffel was 12 planes on paper (and in the air), there could/would also be a handful (typically up to 4) of reserve planes on hand. 

[sevenless]

48 minutes ago, LukeFF said:

Additionally, a Gruppe would have a number of spare planes on hand, depending on the situation at the front at any given time. So, while a Staffel was 12 planes on paper (and in the air), there could/would also be a handful (typically up to 4) of reserve planes on hand. 

 

Yep. Add to that, that some geschwaders changed the group staff markings from chevron markings to numerical numbering somewhen in 1944. So if you see a plane numbered 20 or 22 or 21 or 25 etc. it could very well be a plane of the staff of the gruppe. Example 109-G6 "22" of Klaus Mietusch (CO III./JG 26) in 5/1944 here:

 

 

or 190-A7 Heinz Baer (CO II./JG 1) "23" and "13" in early 1944 here:

 

 

or 190-A7 of Emil Schnoor (CO I./JG 1) in 4/1944:

 

Edited August 17, 2022 by sevenless

[LG-1_BARCLAY]

22 hours ago, LG-1_BARCLAY said:

 

 

Good day.

 

I have a problem with the numbering of the individual planes within a squadron. (Staffel)

 

My information so far is:

A group has a target strength of 3 (later 4) squadrons A squadron has a target strength of 12 aircraft

Makes 36-48 aircraft (excluding staff group)

 

Actually, I was of the opinion that within each squadron the planes be numbered from 1 to 12.

 

But since I have always found original pictures of airplanes that have a higher number than 12, like (16) or (20), it would seem that the numbering rather from the I.Group/1.Squad to the III. (IV.) Group/1st season would have to go.

 

So No.1 = first aircraft of the I. Gruppe/1. Staffel

No.2 = first aircraft of II.Gruppe/1st Staffel and so forth.

 

This is then repeated in the 2nd to 3rd (4th) Season per group.

My question now is whether it's really correct, because unfortunately I haven't seen any pictures where an aircraft is marked with the number 36 or 48.

 

thanks for replies Have a nice day everyone

 

(Translated by Google)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks everyone for the additional info.

 

This is how I understand it now;

that the actual numbering within the individual seasons is (should be) consecutive from 1-12 and from 13 to ? refers to "replacement" or "supplement" aircraft.

 

It is also clear to me that aircraft in use were not always numbered in the actual order, since some were no longer "available". For example, the operational aircraft in a squadron could have the numbers 1 / 4 / 5 / 8 / 10 / 13 / 15..

[JG300_Egon]

In the middle of the War the Germans added a 4th Staffel to each Gruppe and a IVth Gruppe to each Geschwader, so it could be one of the reasons why (adding those already explained).

Edited August 20, 2022 by JG300_Egon