Jagdgeschwader 5 (JG 5), known as the “Eismeer” Geschwader, was a Luftwaffe fighter wing formed in January 1942 specifically for operations in the extreme north of Europe. It originated from the redesignation of I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 77 already stationed in Norway, with further Gruppen added during the spring and summer of that year. Placed under the command of Luftflotte 5, the unit was responsible for the air defence of occupied Norway, northern Finland and the approaches to the Arctic convoys. Its aircraft, primarily Messerschmitt Bf 109 and later Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighters, operated from bases such as Petsamo, Kirkenes, Alakurtti, Stavanger-Sola and Trondheim under the tactical control of Fliegerführer Nord-Ost and Jagdfliegerführer Norwegen. Throughout 1942 and 1943 the Geschwader engaged Soviet fighters and bombers over the Murmansk front while also intercepting British and American aircraft attacking Norwegian ports and shipping. Among its most successful pilots was Leutnant later Hauptmann Heinrich Ehrler of 6. Staffel, who received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 4 September 1942 after 64 victories and the Eichenlaub on 2 August 1943 after 112 claims. Other notable aces included Theodor Weissenberger and Walter Schuck. By mid-1943 JG 5 had reached its greatest strength with fourteen Staffeln. In late 1943 parts of the unit were transferred south, I. Gruppe moving to Romania for the defence of the Ploiești oilfields under Luftflotte 1. The remaining elements continued Arctic operations until 1944, after which the Geschwaderstab and surviving Gruppen were drawn into the defence of the Reich. Major Heinrich Ehrler served briefly as Geschwaderkommodore before being transferred to Jagdgeschwader 7 flying the Messerschmitt Me 262. JG 5 remained operational until the final weeks of the war, its record reflecting the unique demands of polar-front air combat under Luftflotte 5.
EICHENLAUBTRÄGER
Major Heinrich Ehrler (1917-1945) was born on 14 September 1917 in Oberbalbach and grew up as one of twelve children in a laborer’s family. He entered military service with the Wehrmacht in 1935, serving initially in the artillery and then with Flak units, including participation in the Spanish Civil War with the Condor Legion. In early 1940 he transferred to the Jagdwaffe, completed flight training, and on 1 February 1941 was posted to the 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 77, later redesignated as part of Jagdgeschwader 5 “Eismeer.” Operating mainly from bases in Norway and Finland against Soviet forces on the Arctic Front, he scored his first aerial victories in 1941. After achieving eleven victories he became Staffelkapitän of the 6. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 5 in July 1942. On 4 September 1942, as Leutnant, he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes for 64 aerial victories. Promoted to Hauptmann, he took command as Gruppenkommandeur of a Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 5 in mid-1943. For reaching 112 victories he received the Eichenlaub to the Ritterkreuz on 2 August 1943, the 265th award of its kind. On 1 August 1944 he was appointed Kommodore of Jagdgeschwader 5 and promoted to Major. On 12 November 1944, during the British attack that sank the battleship Tirpitz, Ehrler took off with only his Rottenflieger instead of the full unit and was unable to intervene; he was subsequently court-martialled, stripped of command, and sentenced to imprisonment, though the sentence was later suspended. In February 1945 his friend Theodor Weissenberger brought him to the newly formed Jagdgeschwader 7 for front-line probation flying the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter, with which he claimed about eight further victories. On the morning of 4 April 1945 near Stendal, Major Ehrler shot down two Allied bombers; out of ammunition, he radioed Weissenberger that he would ram a third and then deliberately collided with it, destroying the bomber and perishing in the crash. Credited with 208 aerial victories in over 400 combat missions, mostly on the Eastern Front, he was buried at Stendal.
Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagdgeschwader_5
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