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Hans-Joachim Jabs

Name : Hans-Joachim Jabs Died : 23rd October 2003 Air Victories : 50.00 Awards : Knights Cross Oak Leaves to the Knights Cross

After seeing combat as a pilot in Czechoslovakia and the great air battles over France and Belgium, Hans-Joachim Jabs flew the Messerschmitt Me110 Zerstorer throughout the Battle of Britain with II./ZG76 Sharks Gruppe. During this time he shot down eight Spitfires and four Hurricanes and was awarded the Knights Cross in October 1940. Hans-Joachim Jabs retrained as a night fighter pilot, briefly returning to daylight operations to escort the German capital ships on the famous Channel Dash. He became Kommandeur of IV./NJG1, and from March 1944, Kommodore. He was awarded Oak Leaves to the Knights Cross in March 1944. In April 1944 he acheived two remarkable day victories, both over Spitfires. Hans-Joachim Jabs flew 710 missions and scored 22 day and 28 night victories. Born 14th November 1917, died 26th October 2003. Born in Lubeck Germany in 1917, Han-Joachim Jabs, one of the highest scoring Bf- 110 aces to survive the War, joined the Luftwaffe in late 1936. He was originally trained as a Bf-109 pilot, but in March of 1940 he was transferred to ZG-76 which flew the Bf- 100, twin-engine fighter. Jabs honed his fighter pilot skills during the Battle of France, during which he downed four French fighters and two Spitfires, making him an ace. As the Battle of Britain commenced, most Bf-110s were initially assigned the role of escort for German bombers. Pitted against large numbers of Hurricanes and Spitfires flown by well-trained pilots of the RAF, many of these Zerstorer pilots would not survive the Battle of Britain. Hans-Joachim Jabs was an exception. He was one of the few German Bf-110 aces to attain numerous victories against Hurricanes and Spitfires during the Battle of Britain, during which he downed eight Spitfires and four Hurricanes. Downing the superior-performing Spitfires and Hurricanes in the twin-engine Bf-110 was considered by fellow Zerstorer pilots as the ultimate achievement of a fighter pilot. However, by mid 1941 it was very clear that the Bf-110 needed to be withdrawn from front-line daytime fighter service. Many 110s were retrofitted for the night fighter role, where the aircraft would not encounter fighter opposition. Jabs was retrained in late 1941, and he joined NJG-3 in the defense of Hamburg from the RAF night bombing attacks. He did participate in a daylight mission to provide air cover for the famed Channel Dash of the Prinz Eugen and several other capital ships. Jabs had few good scoring opportunities until he was transferred to NJG-1 operating in Holland. This unit was equipped with a later variant of the 110 with better radar and with heavier armament. Jabs night fighter score began to mount, with most of his victims being RAF bombers. By January of 1944 he had attained a total of 44 victories. He was promoted to Kommodore of NJG-1, but continued to fly missions with the men under his command. Major Heinz Schnaufer, the top-scoring night fighter ace of all-time, with 121 victories, served for a while under Jabs' command. While preparing to return from a mission on April 29, 1944, Jabs' 110 was jumped by several Spitfires. Turning into the enemy and firing with his long range cannons, Jabs bagged one the Spitfires, and temporarily sent the others scurrying. The Spitfires regrouped and once again Jabs turned into them and downed one of his pursuers. The ace's 110 had taken quite a few hits and Jabs now desperately tried to return to his base. He was able to land the badly shot-up aircraft and seek cover before the remaining Spitfires strafed his Zerstorer into a burning piece of rubble. Jabs' final victories came on the night of February 21, 1945, when he downed two Lancasters. Jabs total of fifty aerial victories, which included twenty-two daytime victories and twenty-eight night fighter victories were all attained in the Bf-110. Following the end of the War, Jabs began a new life as a businessman and public servant. Jabs married in 1940 and has two sons. He died 23th October 2003.

Artwork signed by this Pilot or Aircrew

Clipped Signature - Hans-Joachim Jabs.

One - Tens Over Kent by Nicolas Trudgian

Top Night Fighter by Stan Stokes. (B)

Artwork with companion print(s) featuring the mounted signature of this Pilot or Aircrew

Air Armada by Robert Taylor. (C)

The Greatest Day by Robert Taylor. (D)

Known Victory Claims :
Date	Rank	Squadron	Claimed	Location	Time	Aircraft Flown	Notes
12/05/1940	Ltn.	ZG 76	Morane details	-	7.15
13/05/1940	Ltn.	ZG 76	Morane details	-	18.5
15/05/1940	Ltn.	ZG 76	Morane details	-	14.25
29/05/1940	Ltn.	ZG 76	Spitfire details	-	14.05
29/05/1940	Ltn.	ZG 76	Spitfire details	Dünkirchen: 2500m	14.1
07/06/1940	Ltn.	ZG 76	Morane 406 details	-	6.2
30/08/1940	Oblt.	ZG 76	Hurricane details	-	13
31/08/1940	Oblt.	ZG 76	Spitfire details	-	9.54
01/09/1940	Oblt.	ZG 76	Spitfire details	-	14.4
01/09/1940	Oblt.	ZG 76	Hurricane details	-	14.45
01/09/1940	Oblt.	ZG 76	Hurricane details	-	14.55
04/09/1940	Oblt.	ZG 76	Spitfire details	-	14.07
04/09/1940	Oblt.	ZG 76	Hurricane details	Tonbridge: 4000m	14.2
04/09/1940	Oblt.	ZG 76	Spitfire details	-	14.07
07/09/1940	Oblt.	ZG 76	Spitfire details	London: 5000m	19.2
11/09/1940	Oblt.	ZG 76	Spitfire details	S. London: 5500m	17.2
25/06/1942	Oblt.	NJG 3	Stirling details	-	-
26/07/1942	Oblt.	NJG 3	Wellington details	-	-
17/12/1942	Oblt.	NJG 1	Halifax details	434 4 G: 1100m [W. Egmont]	22.4
17/12/1942	Oblt.	NJG 1	Stirling details	433 9 l: 50m [20km SW Amsterdam]	22.54
08/01/1943	Oblt.	NJG 1	Halifax details	446 9A in See: 2400m [10km NW Vlieland]	22.15
17/01/1943	Oblt.	NJG 1	Stirling details	544 5H1 in See: 3200m [10km N. Ameland]	22.17
04/02/1943	Oblt.	NJG 1	B-17 details	545 5B7: 10000m [50km NW Texel]	12.51
19/02/1943	Oblt.	NJG 1	Stirling details	54/4 8Z6: 1600m [10km N. Ameland]	21
19/02/1943	Oblt.	NJG 1	Stirling details	54/6/3G2: 1900m [10km NW Schiermonnikoog]	21.18
19/02/1943	Oblt.	NJG 1	Stirling details	54/1/9F2: 2500m [50km N. Terschelling]	21.44
09/04/1943	Hptm.	NJG 1	Lancaster details	443 3F: 1500m [40km W. Alkmaar]	23.56
13/06/1943	Hptm.	NJG 1	Lancaster details	DL-7.1: 6200m [10km W. Zandvoort/Wadenzee]	2.39
13/06/1943	Hptm.	NJG 1	Lancaster details	DK-62: 6500m [50km W. Zandevoort/Texel]	3.04
22/06/1943	Hptm.	NJG 1	Stirling details	FK 32: 1800m [8km WSW Hoorn]	2.44
23/06/1943	Hptm.	NJG 1	Stirling details	FK 15d: 2700m [12km NW Bergen]	2.19
26/06/1943	Hptm.	NJG 1	Halifax details	FK 52: 5400m [NW Alkmaar]	2.35
26/06/1943	Hptm.	NJG 1	Halifax details	EK 58: 4200m	2.4
26/06/1943	Hptm.	NJG 1	Lancaster details	EL 86ga: 5000m [50km WNW Den Helder]	2.56
28/07/1943	Hptm.	NJG 1	Halifax details	Ost CK-82h: 3000m [10km W. Vlieland]	2.5
03/08/1943	Hptm.	NJG 1	Halifax details	CL-2.9d: 5500m [3km NW Hoorn]	3.1
03/08/1943	Hptm.	NJG 1	Stirling details	Dl-2.6h: 2300m [22km W. Harlingen/Waddenzee]	3.29
03/08/1943	Hptm.	NJG 1	Stirling details	Raum "Tiger" : 2100m [20km NW Terschelling]	3.52
24/08/1943	Hptm.	NJG 1	Stirling details	FL 5-6: 2400m [10km S. Enkhuizen]	2.14
18/10/1943	Hptm.	NJG 1	Lancaster details	35km NE Diepholz: 5800m	20.07
03/11/1943	Hptm.	NJG 1	Lancaster details	Günzdorf: 5800m	19.34
03/11/1943	Hptm.	NJG 1	Halifax details	bei Niedermüssen: 5800m	19.55
28/04/1944	Major	NJG 1	Lancaster details	2km SE Dienst: 4500m	2.09
28/04/1944	Major	NJG 1	Halifax details	Rotterdam: 3800m	2.25
29/04/1944	Major	NJG 1	SpitfireIX details	3km S. Valburg: 50m [SW Arnhem]	15.15	Me110	The Bf110 of Jabs was attacked by Spitfires of No.132 Sqn RAF as he was returning to base. He shot down two Spitfires, but was eventually shot down by the Spitfire of Geoffrey Page. He survived. This Mk.IX Spitfire was MJ639 FF-G of No.132 Sqn pilot by Flying Officer J J Caulton, which crash landed nearby. Caulton was taken prisoner.
29/04/1944	Major	NJG 1	SpitfireIX details	S. Apeldoorn: 50m	15.15	Me110	The Bf110 of Jabs was attacked by Spitfires of No.132 Sqn RAF as he was returning to base. He shot down two Spitfires, but was eventually shot down by the Spitfire of Geoffrey Page. He survived. This Mk.IX Spitfire was MJ170 of No.132 Sqn piloted by Pilot Officer Roy Bernard Pullin. The aircraft crash landed and was destroyed by fire after colliding with trees. Flak may have brought the aircraft down.
21/01/1945	Oberstltn.	NJG 1	Lancaster details	-	-
20/02/1945	Oberstltn.	NJG 1	Lancaster details	-	-
20/02/1945	Oberstltn.	NJG 1	Lancaster details	-	-

Aircraft for : Hans-Joachim Jabs
A list of all aircraft associated with Hans-Joachim Jabs. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name.
Aircraft	Info
Me110 Click the name above to see prints featuring Me110 aircraft. Manufacturer : Messerschmitt Production Began : 1938	Me110 The Bf-110 grew out of Herman Gorings specifications for a multipurpose aircraft capable of penetrating deep into enemy airspace to clear the sky of enemy fighters in advance of German bomber formations. The aircraft would also be utilized as a long range interceptor, and as a ground support and ground attack bomber. The Bf-110 prototype first flew in 1936. The prototype was under powered with its Daimier Benz DB 600A engines. Several months passed before a go ahead was given for large scale production which commenced in 1938. Utilizing improved DB 601 engines, the early production 110s were as fast as any single engine fighter at that time, and had superior fire power. Their biggest apparent weakness was in the areas of armor protection for the crew, and in terms of maneuverability when compared to single seat fighters. The 110 was produced in large numbers and in many different variants. The 110D was the long range model. An additional belly tank was fitted to that aircraft, with several later variants having the more traditional drop tanks. The first serious test for the Bf-110 came during the Battle of Britain. About 300 Bf-110s were involved. They became easy prey for Hurricane and Spitfire pilots, and Bf-109s were often required to assist the 110s in their own defense. On August 15, 1940, which became known as Black Tuesday, the Bf-110s were ravaged by the RAF, and for the month over 100 aircraft were lost. On the Eastern Front the Bf-110 performed admirably in the early stages of Operation Barbarossa. With the Soviet Air Force weakened in the first several weeks of the attack, 110s were effectively utilized in a ground attack role. Ultimately, the Luftwaffe re-equipped a significant number of its 110s as night fighters. The aircraft performed well in this role because it was a good gun platform with sufficient speed to overtake the RAF night bombers. Such night missions were typically carried out with no Allied fighter escort, so the 110 night fighters would not have to engage or elude Allied fighters in this role.