The Lehrgeschwader 1, the Griffin Wing. Volume 01

Equipped with He 111s at the outbreak of the Second World War but also fielding a Bf 110 gruppe and a Ju 87 gruppe, it took an active part in the Luftwaffe's early campaigns (Poland, the Western Front…) before receiving Ju 88s, the bomber type it would operate exclusively until 1945. Called early to the Mediterranean, LG 1 quickly established itself as one of the most formidable and most feared adversaries of the Royal Navy. Under the command of Kommodore Hellbig, the "Hellbig's Flyers" were responsible for sending numerous Allied vessels to the bottom. LG 1's operations in support of the Afrika Korps in Libya and Egypt were equally effective, the wing leaving its mark on the desert fighting. This Volume I describes the early combat years of LG 1, the text enriched throughout with numerous veterans' accounts. Peter Taghon was born in Ghent on 10 February 1960. Married to Peggy, he is the father of Thomas. From an early age he displayed a keen interest in the events of the Second World War. After studying law, he wrote the history of the May 1940 campaign in his home town, forging close contacts with veterans from both sides and assembling an important photographic archive. This enabled him to richly illustrate two works composed largely of original photographs: "Belgique mai 1940" and "Belgique 1944." Further in-depth research into the air war over Belgium during the Second World War followed. He has published with Lela Presse "L'aéronautique militaire belge en mai-juin 1940," which remains a reference work. In the meantime, veterans of Lehrgeschwader 1 persuaded him to chronicle their wing's history, and it is thanks to their support that this task could be brought to completion.