Jagdgeschwader 53 'Pik As'

Geschwaderstab

1944-1945 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6/U-2 - Germany

I. Gruppe

Gruppenkommandeure:

Hptm Lothar von Janson, 1.5.39 - 30.6.40
Hptm Albert Blumensaat, 1.7.40 - 25.8.40
Hptm Hans-Karl Mayer, 1.9.40 - 17.10.40
Hptm Hans-Heinrich Brustellin, 10.40 - 31.5.41
Olt Wilfried Balfanz, 1.6.41 - 24.6.41
Hptm Franz von Werra, 7.41 - 25.10.41
Hptm Ignaz Prestele (acting), 8.41 - 9.41
Maj Herbert Kaminski, 1.11.41 - 24.7.42
Hptm Walter Spies, 8.42 - 10.42
Hptm Friedrich-Karl Müller, 11.42 - 14.2.44
Maj Jürgen Harder, 15.2.44 - 1.45
Hptm Wolfgang Ernst (acting), 1.45 - 2.45
Hptm Erich Hartmann (acting), 2.45 - 14.2.45
Hptm Helmut Lipfert, 15.2.45 - 17.4.45

Gruppenstab

1. Staffel

2. Staffel

3. Staffel

1939, May 1 - Formed in Wiesbaden-Erbenheim from I./JG133 with:

from Stab I./JG133

from 1./JG133

from 2./JG133

from 3./JG133

1939, May 1 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1 - Wiesbaden-Erbenheim

1939, September - Polish September Campaign
II./JG 53 stayed in the West

1939, September 26 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1 - Kirchberg / Hunsrueck

<o+
Technischer Offizier I./JG53
Hptm. Dr. Erich Mix
November 1939
Note: One of the very inventive schemes tried by JG 53 through their existence. Added grey areas here.

1939, December - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1 - Darmstadt-Griesheim

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1940, May - Battle of France

1940, May 10 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1 - Kirchberg/Hunsrueck

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1940, May 17 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1 - Ferschweiler

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1940, May 20 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1 - Douzy, France

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1940, May 24 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1 - Charleville, France

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1940, May 26 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1 - Laon-Couvron, France

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1940, June 1 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1 - Douzy, France

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1940, June 5 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1 - Charleville, France

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1940, June 17 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1 - Vraux, France

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1940, June 22 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 - Rennes, France

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1940, early July - "Pik-As" Badge overpainted with "Red Band of Shame"

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

7+
Hans Orly

1940, late July - The yellow cowling was applied for easier friend-foe clearance - the red band stayed!

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

13+

1940, August - Battle of Britain

1940, August 28 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 - Neuville, France

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1940, September 15 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 - Étaples, France

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1940, October 1 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 - Le Touquet, France

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1940, December 19 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4, F-2 - Krefeld, Germany

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1941, April 2 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 - Crécy-Dompierre, France

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1941, June 6 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 - Mannheim-Sandhofen

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1941, June - Operation Barbarossa

1941, June 14 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 - Krzewicza

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1941, June 25 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 - Pruszana

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1941, June 29 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 - Baranowicze

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1941, June 30 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 - Hostynne

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1941, July - The yellow noses were overpainted on top, only the lower cowling stayed yellow

1941, July 5 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 - Dubno-Süd, Russia

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

13+
1941-42, winter

1941, July 8 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 - Chrolin, Russia

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1941, July 9 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 - Miropol, Russia

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1941, July 18 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 - Shitomir, Russia

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1941, July 21 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 - Belaja-Zerkow, Russia

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

Under command of ?
(Germany)

1941, August 7 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 - Mannheim-Sandhofen

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

Under command of ?
(Netherlands)

1941, August 7 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 - Katwijk

2./JG53 at Haamstede, 20.9.41 - 20.10.41, and at Vlissingen, 20.10.41 - 15.12.41

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

Under command of ?
(Sicily)

1941, December 15 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4/Trop - Gela

2./JG53 at Ha Stab I. and 1./JG53 at San Pietro, 1.42 - 22.2.42

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1+
San Pietro 1942

Under command of ?
(Germany)

1942, May 1 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 - Schwäbisch-Hall

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

Under command of ?
(Czechoslovakia & Russia)

1942, May 28 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4 - Prague-Ruzyne

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1942, May 29 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4 - Kursk

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1942, May 29 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4 - Kolpna

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1942, July 11 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4, G-2 - Uman

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1942, July 15 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 - Charkow

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1942, July 24 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 - Taganrog

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1942, July 26 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 - Novy-Cholan

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1942, July 31 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 - Frolow

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1942, August 4 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 - Bereska

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1942, August 12 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 - Tusow (Touzlov), near Stalingrad, Russia

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

13+
Leutnant Wilhelm Crinius
1942, August 19

1942, September 10 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 - Pitomnik

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

Under command of ?
(Italy)

1942, October 1 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F, G - San Pietro

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

Under command of ?
(Tunesia)

1942, November 25 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F, G - Djedeida

3./JG53 at Comiso/San Pietro, 25.11.42 - 15.12.42

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1942, November 25 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2/R-1 - Bizerta (Bizerte), Tunesia

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

13+
Leutnant Wilhelm Crinius
1943, January

1942, December 3 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Mateur

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1942, December 12 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-4 - Bizerta (Bizerte), Tunesia

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

7+
Oberleutnant Wolfgang Tonne
1943, February 25

<+
Gruppenadjutant

8+
-

1943, April 2 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Protville

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

Under command of ?
(Italy)

1943, April 30 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Comiso

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1943, May 10 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Catania

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1943, June 17 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Vibo Valentia

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1943, July 16 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - San Severo

detachments also used Montesano, Monterotondo and Padua

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1943, September 17 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - San Lorenzo

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1943, September 21 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Marcigliana

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1943, October 22 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Fiano

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1943, November 28 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Centocelle

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1944, January 21 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Maniago

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1944, March 23 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Bologna

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1944, Early - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 - Italy

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur
Major Juergen Harder

3+
Unteroffizier Georg Eckardt
-

Under command of ?
(Italy)

1944, May 9 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Targsorul-Nou

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1944, June - 3./JG53 was disbanded

1944, July 17 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Meri, (Sicily ?)

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1944, August 20 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Jassy & Husi

1./JG53 at Jassy and 2./JG53 at Husi

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1944, August 23 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Focsani, Romania

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1944, August 25 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Targsorul-Nou

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1944, August 26 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Budak

<<+
Gruppenkommandeur

1944, September 10 - Increased to 4 Staffeln
*4 Staffel System*
Gruppenstab	1. Staffel	2. Staffel	3. Staffel	4. Staffel
unchanged	unchanged	unchanged	Reformed 18.9.44.	Was ordered to form on 10.9.44, but no 4./JG53 was ever formed.
1945 - Messerschmitt Bf 109K-4 - Germany
<<+	?+	?+		X
1944, September 16 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Mezöpetri
<<+	?+	?+	?+	X
1944, October 7 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Maklar, Hungary
<<+	?+	?+	?+	X
1944, October 15 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Mende, Hungary
<<+	?+	?+	?+	X
1944, November 1 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Veszprem (Wesprim), Hungary
<<+	?+	?+	?+	X
1945, Januar 1 - Operation Bodenplatte Fighters armed with bombs led by bomber-crews trying to destroy the allied planes on the ground (JG 53: Metz-Frescaty, France)
1945, Spring - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6/U-2 - Attenbaum near Kassel, Germany
<<+	?+	6+	5+ found by US-Troops at Attenbaum near Kassel, Germany in Spring 1945	Was ordered to form on 10.9.44, but no 4./JG53 was ever formed.
1945, February 20 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Piestany
<<+	?+	?+	?+	X
1945, February 27 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Papa (Poppa), Hungary
<<+	?+	?+	?+	X
1945, February 28 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Veszprem
<<+	?+	?+	?+	X
1945, March 21 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Papa (Poppa), Hungary
<<+	?+	?+	?+	X
1945, March 23 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Vát, Hungary
<<+	?+	?+	?+	X
1945, March 25 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Piestany, Slowaky
<<+	?+	?+	?+	X
1945, March 31 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Nowy-Dwor, Poland
<<+	?+	?+	?+	X
1945, April 2 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Deutsch-Wagram, Austria
<<+	?+	?+	?+	X
1945, April 4 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Bruenn (Brno), Czechoslovakia
<<+	?+	?+	Bf 109K-4 15+ (Wk.Nr.2956) Friedrich Scheer	X
1945, April 17 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-10 - Hoersching, Austria
<<+	5+ also with yellow aft band	?+	?+	X
1945, April 17 - Disbanded

II. Gruppe

Gruppenkommandeure:

Maj Hubert Merhart von Bernegg, 1.5.39 - 18.8.39
Maj Freiherr von Maltzahn, 19.8.39 - 8.10.40
Hptm Heinz Bretnuetz, 9.10.40 - 27.6.41
Hptm Walter Spies, 6.41 - 7.42
Hptm Gerhard Michalski, 7.42 - 23.4.44
Hptm Hans-Juergen Westphal (acting), 19.6.43 - 7.43
Maj Karl-Heinz Schnell (acting), 7.43 - 28.9.43
Maj Julius Meimberg, 24.4.44 - 30.4.45

Gruppenstab

4. Staffel

5. Staffel

6. Staffel

1939, May 1 - Formed in Mannheim-Sandhofen from II./JG133 with:

from Stab I./JG133

from 4./JG133

from 5./JG133

from 6./JG133

1939, May 1 - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1 - Mannheim-Sandhofen, Germany

<<+-
Gruppenkommandeur II./JG53
Major Hubert Merhart von Bernegg
(1.5.39 - 18.8.39)

?+-

Bf 109E-1 2+ 'Hol`s der Geier'
unknown Pilot
-

Bf 109E-1 15+ 'Peter'
Staffelkapitaen
Olt. Heinz 'Pietzsch' Bretnuetz

1939, Autumn - Experimented with different camouflage patterns

Bf 109E-3 <3+-
Oberleutnant Wilfried Pufahl
(Winter 1939-40)

5+-
Unteroffizier Stefan Litjens
(Autumn 1939)

?+-

Bf 109E-3 12+- 'Peter'
Staffelkapitaen
Olt. Heinz 'Pietzsch' Bretnuetz

1940, May - Battle of France

On 24, September of 1939 Bretnuetz, now Oberleutnant, at the lead of 6./JG 53 clash with a french formation (Groupe de Chasse CG I/4)
of Curtiss H-75, scouting Potez 637.

The Curtiss flown by Capitaine Claude become the first WWII victory of Bretnutz.

He ended the French Campaign with 8 victories (including a Britsh Wellington).

1940, July - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 - France

<<+-
Gruppenkommandeur II./JG53
Major Freiherr von Maltzahn
(19.8.39 - 8.10.40)

?+-

?+-

1940, August - Battle of Britain

1940, early August - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 - France

"Pik-As" Badge overpainted with "Red Band of Shame"

During the Battle of Britain, at 8, August of 1940 at 17.15, Bretnuetz shot down his first Spitfire (N. R6811) flown by Sgt.D.N Robertson of 152 Squadron.
On 9, October of 1940 Heinz Bretnutz become the Kommandeur of II./JG 53.

<<+-
Gruppenkommandeur II./JG53
Hptm. Heinz 'Pietzsch' Bretnuetz
On 10 October 1940, he was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 53.

15+-
Gefreiter Josef Broeker

?+-

1941, May - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 - St. Omer-Arques, France

Note: Yellow Battle of Britain cowling and tailfin

Bf 109F-2 <<+- 'Peter'
Gruppenkommandeur II./JG53
Hptm. Heinz 'Pietzsch' Bretnuetz
Note telescopic gunsight !
He recorded his 30th victory of World War 2 on 3 May 1941.

?+-

?+-

1941, June - Operation Barbarossa

1941, July - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 - Russian Front

Note: Overpainted Yellow Battle of Britain cowling (only on top..) and tailfin

Bf 109F-2 <<+- 'Peter'
Gruppenkommandeur II./JG53
Hptm. Heinz 'Pietzsch' Bretnuetz
Bretnuetz led II./JG 53 during the invasion of Russia. He had 34 victories to his credit at this time.
His Bf 109 F-2 (W.Nr. 6674) was hit in the engagement. Emergency landed in the area of the front lines between Erzvilkas and Nemaksciai. Badly wounded, he was rescued by farmers who hided him from retreating Russian troops. He was finally handed over to advancing German troops on 26 June. Hospitalised, he had his left leg amputated but died of complications from the operation on 27 June.

?+-

?+-

Bf 109F-2 <2+-
Gruppenadjutant

?+-

?+-

1942, February - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4 - Comiso, Sicily

<<+-
Gruppenkommandeur II./JG53

?+-

1+-
Staffelkapitaen
Hauptmann Kurt Braendle

?+-

1942, April - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4 - Comiso, Sicily

<<+-
Gruppenkommandeur II./JG53

?+-

?+-

2+-
-

<+-
Gruppenadjutant II./JG53

?+-

?+-

12+-
-

1942, July-August - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4 - Pantelleria

<<+-
Gruppenkommandeur II./JG53

1+-
Staffelkapitaen
Oberleutnant Gerhard Michalski

2+-
Oberfeldwebel Herbert Rollwage
-

?+-

1942 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4/Trop - Sicily

<<+-
Gruppenkommandeur II./JG53

?+-

?+-

3+-
-

1942, October - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2/Trop - Comiso, Sicily

<<+-
Gruppenkommandeur II./JG53

?+-

1+-

?+-

<+-
Gruppenadjutant II./JG53

?+-

2+-
Oberfeldwebel Herbert Rollwage

?+-

1943 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-4/Trop - La Marsa, Tunesia

<<+-
Gruppenkommandeur II./JG53

8+-

5+-

?+-

1943, July - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6/R-6 Trop - Sicily

Trapani

Comiso

<<+-
Gruppenkommandeur II./JG53

?+-

1+-
Staffelkapitaen
-

1+-
Staffelkapitaen
Hauptmann Alfred Hammer

<+-
Gruppenadjutant II./JG53

?+-

2+-
Oberfeldwebel Herbert Rollwage

7+-
-

?+-

?+-

14+-
-

1943, End - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6/R-6 - Balkan(?)

<+-
Gruppenadjutant II./JG53

?+-

?+-

1944, January - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6/R-6 - Vienna-Seyring, Austria
Red is possibly the first "Reichsverteidigung"-color before switching to black
It is also a possible wrong interpretation of a B&W photograph, and I tend to think this, too.
The white tailfin sure is a marking for that purpose.

<<+-
Gruppenkommandeur II./JG53

?+-

2+-
Oberfeldwebel Herbert Rollwage

6+-
Also seen with black stripe.

II. Gruppe
Gruppenstab	5. Staffel	6. Staffel	7. Staffel	8. Staffel
1945, Januar 1 - Operation Bodenplatte Fighters armed with bombs led by bomber-crews trying to destroy the allied planes on the ground (JG 53: Metz-Frescaty, France)
1944-1945 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-14 - Germany
<<+- Gruppenkommandeur II./JG53	?+-	11+-	-	-

III. Gruppe

Gruppenkommandeure:

Hptm Werner Mölders, 1.11.39 - 5.6.40
Hptm Rolf Pingel (acting), 6.40 - 20.6.40
Hptm Harro Harder, 13.7.40 - 12.8.40
Hptm Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke, 13.8.40 - 18.5.42
Maj Erich Gerlitz, 5.42 - 10.42
Hptm Franz Götz, 10.42 - 17.1.45
Hptm Siegfried Luckenbach, 18.1.45 - 2.5.45
Hptm Wolfgang Ernst (acting), 4.45 - 2.5.45

Gruppenstab

7. Staffel

8. Staffel

9. Staffel

1939, October - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1 - Wiesbaden-Erbenheim, Germany

<<+I
Gruppenkommandeur
Hauptmann Werner Moelders
(1.11.39 - 5.6.40)

1+I
Staffelkapitaen
Oberleutnant Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke

?+I

1940, March - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 - Trier, Germany

<<+I
Gruppenkommandeur
Hauptmann Werner Moelders
(1.11.39 - 5.6.40)

?+I

1940, May - Battle of France

1940, May-June - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 - France

<<+I
Gruppenkommandeur
Hauptmann Werner Moelders
(1.11.39 - 5.6.40)
He was shot down and captured for three weeks after a fight which took place at Campiegne, France, on 5 June 1940

?+I

1940, July - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 - Le Touquet-Etaples, France

"Pik-As" Badge overpainted with "Red Band of Shame"

<<+I
Gruppenkommandeur
Hauptmann Rolf Pingel (acting)
(6.40 - 20.6.40)

?+I

1940, July late - The yellow cowling was applied for easier friend - foe clearance - the red band stayed!

<<+I
Gruppenkommandeur
Hauptmann Harro Harder
(13.7.40 - 12.8.40 (KIA, shot down))
His name appears on all following airplanes of his younger brother Juergen Harder, see below.

?+I

7+I
Oberleutnant Walter Fiel

?+I

1940, August - Battle of Britain

1940, August - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 - Le Touquet-Etaples, France

When Hauptmann Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke assumed command of III/JG53 on 13 August 1940,
he retaliated by painting over the red band and the svastikas (!) on the tail of the III. Gruppe aircraft !

<<+I
Gruppenkommandeur
Hauptmann Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke
(13.8.40 - 18.5.42)

5+I
Unteroffizier Hans-Georg Schulte
Shot down over Kent on Sep. 6, 1940

?+I

1940, October - Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 - Le Touquet-Étaples, France

<<+I
Gruppenkommandeur
Hauptmann Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke
(13.8.40 - 18.5.42)

?+I

7+I
-

?+I

<+I
Gruppenadjutant

?+I

<o+I
Gruppen-T.O.

?+I

1941, June - Operation Barbarossa

1941 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 - Russia

1941, July - The yellow noses were overpainted on top, only the lower cowling stayed yellow

<IO+I 'Harro'
Technischer Offizier
Leutnant Juergen Harder

2+I
Oberfeldwebel Herman Neuhoff
-

?+I

1941, September - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 - Ossiyaki, Russia

<<+I
Gruppenkommandeur III./JG53
Hauptmann Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke
(13.8.40 - 18.5.42)

?+I

3+I
Lt. Herbert Schramm

?+I

1942, March - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4 - Comiso, Sicily

<<+I
Gruppenkommandeur III./JG53
Hauptmann Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke
(13.8.40 - 18.5.42)

2+I
Leutnant Hermann Neuhoff

?+I

1942, June - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4/Trop - Martuba, Libya

<<+I
Gruppenkommandeur III./JG53
Major Erich Gerlitz
(5.42 - 10.42)

5+I 'Harro'
Staffelkapitaen
Hauptmann Juergen Harder

?+I

1+I
Staffelkapitaen
Oberleutnant Franz Goetz

1943, February - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-4Z/Trop - Trapani, Sicily

<<+I
Gruppenkommandeur III./JG53

1+I 'Harro'
Staffelkapitaen
Hauptmann Juergen Harder

1+I
Staffelkapitaen
Oberleutnant Franz Schiess

?+I

1943, June - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 - Sciaccia, Sicily

<<+I
Gruppenkommandeur III./JG53

3+I

?+I

<<+I
Gruppenkommandeur III./JG53

9+I 'Seemann'
Unteroffizier Georg Amon

11+I
-

?+I

1944, Early - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6/R-6 - Italy

<<+I
Gruppenkommandeur III./JG53
Major Franz Goetz

?+I

III. Gruppe
Gruppenstab	9. Staffel	10. Staffel	11. Staffel	12. Staffel
1944, December 17 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-14 & K-4 - Kirrlach (near Heidelberg), Southern Germany
<<+I Gruppenkommandeur III./JG53	?+I	Bf 109G-14 6+I Alfred Grislawski	Bf 109K-4 6+I -	?+I
1945, Januar 1 - Operation Bodenplatte Fighters armed with bombs led by bomber-crews trying to destroy the allied planes on the ground (JG 53: Metz-Frescaty, France) III./JG53 moved to Pasewalk in the north temporary for this duty.
Note, that for security reasons, applied badges were overpainted or not applied on new planes.
1945, Januar 1 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-14 & K-4 - Pasewalk, Germany
<<+I Gruppenkommandeur III./JG53	12+I ''Emmy'' Pasewalk	4+I 1945, Januar 1	?+I	4+I -
<+I Gruppenadjutant	?+I	?+I	?+I	5+I
-	?+I	?+I	?+I	?+I
1945, February - Messerschmitt Bf 109K-4 - Kirrlach (near Heidelberg), Southern Germany
<<+I Gruppenkommandeur III./JG53	?+I	?+I	1+I (Wk.Nr.332660) Leutnant Guenther Land Kirrlach, Feb 1945	?+I
Bf 109K-4 <1+ I Gruppenadjutant Lt. Ernst Dieter Bernhard (Wk.Nr.334162) (bellylanded in Kaufbeuren after battle against Marauders on 19. April)	?+I	?+I	Bf 109K-4 14+I -	disbanded 1.3.45
1945, April - Messerschmitt Bf 109K-4 - Lechfeld, Southern Germany
Bf 109K-4 <1+ I (Wk.Nr.334162) Lt. Ernst Dieter Bernhard (landed in Kaufbeuren)	?+I	?+I	?+I	X
1945, March 23 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-14 & K-4 - Nellingen
1945, March 26 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-14 & K-4 - Neuhausen ob Eck
1945, April 7 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-14 & K-4 - Fuerstenfeldbruck
1945, April 13 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-14 & K-4 - Kreuzstrasse/Klein-Karolinenfeld
1945, May 1 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-14 & K-4 - Prien am Chiemsee
<<+I Grp.Kdr. III./JG53	Bf 109K-4 16+I (in May) -	?+I	?+I	X
1945, May 8 - Capitulation

IV. Gruppe

Gruppenkommandeure:

Hptm Hans Morr, 25.10.44 - 29.10.44
Hptm Friedrich Müer, 10.44 - 2.1.45
Hptm Alfred Hammer, 9.1.45 - 30.4.45

1944, October 20 - Formed from III./JG76 in Huefingen, near Donaueschingen:

Gruppenstab

13. Staffel

14. Staffel

15. Staffel

16. Staffel

from Stab III./JG76

from 9./JG76

from 10./JG76

from 11./JG76

from 12./JG76

Under command of ?
(Southern Germany)

1944, October 20 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G - Huefingen, near Donaueschingen

<<+~
Grp.Kdr. IV./JG53

?+~

1944, December 3 - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-14 & K-4 - Stuttgart-Echterdingen (13./JG53 at Nellingen)

<<+~
Grp.Kdr. IV./JG53

?+~

1945, Januar 1 - Operation Bodenplatte
Fighters armed with bombs led by bomber-crews trying to destroy the allied planes on the ground
(JG 53 attacked Metz-Frescaty, France)

Note, that for security reasons, applied badges were overpainted or not applied on new planes.

<<+~
Grp.Kdr. IV./JG53

1+~