photos of C.205s with black crosses painted over the mid-fuselage Italian white strip markings. In 1945 JG 77 was relocated to Germany itself to help with the Reichsverteidigung (Defense of the Reich). In the last months of the war part of JG 77 was employed against the Soviet Air Force in Silesia. In this area on 7 March 1945 Kommodore Major Erich Leie, a 118-kill ace, was killed in combat with Yak-9 fighters. Commanding officers Geschwaderkommodore Gruppenkommandeure I. Gruppe of JG 77 First formation, IV.(l)/JG 132 was renamed to I./JG 331 on 3 November 1938 which then became the I./JG 77 on 1 May 1939. On 3 November 1940, I. Gruppe leaves JG 77 and becomes IV. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 51. A new I. Gruppe was formed from I.(Jagd) Gruppe of Lehrgeschwader 2 on 6 January 1942. II. Gruppe of JG 77 Formed from I./136 which was renamed to II./JG 333 on 1 November 1938 and then became the II./JG 77 on 1 May 1939. III. Gruppe of JG 77 Formed from II.(T)/186 and was renamed to III./JG 77 on 5 July 1939. Notes References Citations Bibliography Jagdgeschwader 077 Military units and formations established in 1939 Military units and formations disestablished in 1945 1939 establishments in Germany 1945 disestablishments in Germany