Organisation Research Traditional Luftwaffe Organisation

Unlike most western air forces at the time, the Luftwaffe was built on flexibility. Rather than having every geschwader contain its own complete administrative and maintenance equipment and personnel, an administrative zone was designated as a Luftflotte. Maintenance and administrative personnel remained stationary in these zones while the geschwader moved between fronts. Essentially, units simply had to take off and land where needed without the burden of a massive logistic support system. In terms of command unity, the geschwader was the largest stand-alone entity; however, the gruppen were often separated, sometimes on opposite fronts. So in practice a gruppe was the largest operational unit. In addition, a geschwader was not a squadron, as erroneously believed from the pronunciation, but rather an operational air wing (see below).

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Comparative Unit Structure and Strength

Comparative Unit Structure and Strength*

Luftwaffe	RAF	USAAF
Jagdgeschwader	Group**	Wing
Stab+3 Gruppen: 124 Aircraft	Varies: 48-144 Aircraft	2 Groups: 128 Aircraft
Gruppe	Wing	Group
Stab+3 Staffeln: 40 Aircraft	4 Squadrons: 48 Aircraft	4 Squadrons: 64 Aircraft
Staffel	Squadron	Squadron
3 Schwarme: 12 Aircraft	2 Flights: 12 Aircraft	4 Flights: 16 Aircraft
Schwarm	Flight	Flight
2 Rotten: 4 Aircraft	2 Sections: 6 Aircraft	2 Elements: 4 Aircraft
Rotte	Section	(Element)***
Basic Unit: 2 Aircraft	Basic Unit: 3 Aircraft	Part of Flight: 2 Aircraft

• 1. Numbers based on “typical” strength of units. Numbers fluctuated on both sides based on aircraft availability, especially later in the war.
  2. RAF operational organizations focused on the squadron level. An RAF station is next in the hierarchy containing various squadrons; however a Group (containing numerous stations by geography) is the next closest organization by numbers.
  3. An element was not officially recognized by USAAF but used here to compare strength in the smallest fighting units.
  • [[File:Comparative Unit Structure and Strength.jpg|link= ]]

Historical Gruppe Organization and Aircraft Markings

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• ADD: Table Template like Family Hierarchy or Medal Nominations
• Family Tree Simplified
  • simplified family tree of the English monarchs

Leadership Positions

GRUPPENSTAB (GROUP STAFF)

Gruppenkommandeur

• Overall commanding officer (CO)
• Prime leadership example of II./JG 77
• Responsible for setting gruppe policy, objectives, and vision
• Manages personnel roster and other duty assignments
• Primary contact for the gruppe within the WarBirds community
• Establishes gruppe mission orders and coordinates with other WarBirds units when the gruppe flys as a whole
• Represents the gruppe during any meeting or discussion with other WarBirds units
• Handles any abhorrent diciplinary problems
• Serves as Rotteführer for the Technicher Offizier and Schwarmführer for the Stab Schwarm when in flight
• Typically a Major or above, and former Adjutant

Adjutant

• The second in command of the gruppe (XO)
• Responsible for implementing the CO’s policies and mission directives
• Makes recommendation to the CO on gruppe policy and personnel assignments
• Publishes the CO's orders and personnel roster
• Maintains the gruppe website and TeamSpeak channel
• Trained in "full-map" strategy
• Assumes command of the gruppe in the absence of the CO
• Serves as Rotteführer for the Major beim Stab when in flight
• Typically a Hauptmann or above, and former Staffelkapitän

Technicher Offizier

• Head of the gruppe training office and chief instructor
• Most tacticaly experienced pilot of the gruppe
• Expert on all WarBirds aircraft performance and tactics
• Responsible for developing and maintaining the gruppe training program
• Trains selected pilots in gruppe instructor duties
• Coordinates gruppe training events
• Periodically conducts staffel performance evaluations
• Takes charge of the gruppe when both the Gruppenkommandeur and Adjutant are absent
• Preferably a WarBirds qualified instructor
• Serves as the CO's Rotteflieger when the Stab Schwarm is in flight
• Typically a Hauptmann or above

Major beim Stab

• Gruppenstab assistant and rounds out the Stab Schwarm
• Usually a highly experienced pilot in training for various Gruppenstab duties
• Carries out any duties delegated by the CO, XO, or Technicher Offizier
• Assists as a communication liason between the Staffeln and the Gruppenstab
• Serves the Adjutant's Rotteflieger when the Stab Schwarm is in flight
• Does not hold any command responsibilities
• Typically a Hauptmann or above

FIELD OFFICERS

Staffelkapitän

• The commander and most experienced pilot of an 8 aircraft unit (a.k.a. "squadron")
• Responsible for coordinating and completing mission objectives at the staffel level
• Mastered advanced flight, gunnery, and large unit tactics
• Serves as the liason between the gruppenstab and staffel members
• Handles any gross violations of gruppe conduct or development standards
• Makes recommendations to the gruppenstab on personnel roster assignments
• Grooms and mentors Schwarmführer to become a future Staffelkapitän
• Always assigned the 1+- tail number of their respective staffel
• Typically a Hauptmann, and former Schwarmführer

Schwarmführer

• Leader and most experienced pilot of a 4 aircraft formation (a.k.a "flight")
• Manages small unit tactics of the schwarm in coordination with the rest of the staffel
• Builds comradery and esprit de corps within their schwarm
• Ensures all members of thier schwarm meet gruppe conduct and development standards
• Practices 4 aircraft formation flying and tactics with their schwarm
• Additionally carries Rotteführer duties for the Rotteflieger directly assigned to them
• Typically an Oberleutnant, and former Rotteführer

Rotteführer

• Leader and most experienced pilot of a 2 aircraft formation (a.k.a. "element")
• Mastered basic flight and gunnery skills
• Completed basic formation flying training
• Responsible for welcoming and mentoring the Rottefliger assigned to them
• Supports the efforts of the schwarm
• Assigned odd aircraft tail numbers (i.e. 3+-, 7+-, 11+-, etc.)

Rotteflieger

• Entry level position assigned to all new or lesser experienced II./JG 77 pilots
• Primary responsibility is to learn basic flight, gunnery, and leadership skills from superiors
• Wingman of any given 2 aircraft formation
• Responsible for covering the Rotteführer's "six"
• Assigned even aircraft tail numbers (i.e. 2+-, 4+-, 6+-, etc.)

General Orders

Example Rules;

Hauptquartier

II Gruppe

Jagdgeschwader 77

Gentlemen,

II./JG 77’s goal is to keep operations and squadron organization historically accurate. We cannot mandate what plane to fly but we strongly encourage you to fly the Bf 109 or MC.205 when in formation with other squadron members. These are the two aircraft that II./JG77 historically flew. Here are a few rules of engagement to follow as a member of II./JG77:

1. . Fly honorably and with integrity.
2. . Do not shoot down landing/ditching aircraft if they are no longer a threat to you or your wingmen. This constitutes a cheap and defenseless kill.
3. . Do not shoot down any confirmed empty bomber returning to base. Ammunition is precious, save it for the loaded bombers.
4. . Do not release bombs with the sole hope of destroying an airborne enemy aircraft. (a.k.a."fragging")
5. . Fly with your formation as often as possible for mutual support.
6. . Always follow your flight lead’s direction.
7. . If you are flight lead, always take care of your wingmen and be willing to mentor them.
8. . We are not a tank squadron, but if you happen to be driving one do not bail to prevent a kill and do not use the main gun to shoot down enemy aircraft.
9. . <S> Salutes should be earned, not given away freely.
10. . Remember to have fun, WarBirds is just a game.

I look forward to flying with you in the virtual skies! Keep the formation tight, shoot well and always check your six!

       Regards,
       Hptm looboy
       Gruppenkommandeur 
       II./JG 77
       looboy@fly-jg77.com

ADDENDUM TO GENERAL ORDERS:

General Orders 2 and 3 do not apply on Squadron Select Series (S3) missions. Fire at will with no quarter.

Roster

Gruppenstab Stab II./JG 77

Gruppenkommadeur (CO) Hptm looboy <<+-

Technischer Offizier Oblt zikker <O+-

Adjutant (XO) Oblt zinhwk <+-

Major beim Stab Vacant <1+-

4 Staffel 4./JG 77

"Reapers"

Staffelkapitän Vacant 1+-

Blauen Schwarm Vacant 1+- vacant 2+- Oblt -jr--- 3+- Hptm mcpot- 4+-

Grüne Schwarm Oblt dolch- 5+- Vacant 6+- Oblt ---rum 7+- Vacant 8+-

5 Staffel 5./JG 77 (Inactive) "Hatters"

Staffelkapitän Vacant 1+-

Blauen Schwarm Vacant 1+- Vacant 2+- Vacant 3+- Vacant 4+-

Grüne Schwarm Vacant 5+- Vacant 6+- Vacant 7+- Vacant 8+-

6 Staffel 6./JG 77 (Inactive) "Pissin' Penguins"

Staffelkapitän Vacant 1+- Blauen Schwarm Vacant 1+- Vacant 2+- Vacant 3+- Vacant 4+-

Grüne Schwarm Vacant 5+- Vacant 6+- Vacant 7+- Vacant 8+-

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Notes

• Traditional Luftwaffe Organisation
• Leadership Positions
• General Orders
• Roster