fell to Bf 109s and three pilots killed. A single 111 Squadron was credited to ZG 26; 111's Squadron Leader John Marlow Thompson survived. Later in the day, KG 54 were operating in the Cambrai sector again covered by I./JG 27 and I./ZG 26. A composite force of 145 and 601 Squadrons intercepted. The latter lost one Hurricane to each German wing and a further damaged by ZG 26. III./ZG 26 flew as fighter escort for KG 3 as it operated against rail and road traffic west of the Seine and Aisne. On 20 May, the Panzer Divisions of Army Group A reached the Channel. I./ZG 26 was in action against 87 Squadron while escorting Junkers Ju 88s. The British claimed one Bf 110 and another damaged. II./ZG 26 fought to protect Ju 88s from III./LG 1 over Norrent-Fontes against No. 615 Squadron RAF. Hurricane pilots claimed seven Bf 110s on this date. German forces reported the loss of one. Two Ju 88s were lost on 20 May, though British pilots claimed six. 85 Squadron and 615 reported the loss of one Hurricane each in force-landings after combat with I./ZG 26 indicating other engagements on the day. From 21 May, Amiens fell, and Boulogne was threatened. 4 and 13 Squadron remained flying army-cooperation flights between Lille and Saint-Omer. The squadrons lost five between them; I./ZG 26 were responsible for one. ZG 26 operated over the Pas-de-Calais through the day as the British counter-attacked at Arras. On 23 May, a group of the ZG 26 reported only 19 of the 26 Bf 110s operational. During the Battle of Calais, on 24 May, ZG 26, with ZG 76, encountered the Supermarine Spitfire for the first time. No. 92 Squadron RAF lost two Spitfires, while the ZG's reported two losses between them. From 25 May 1940 ZG 26 was reassigned from Jagdfliegerführer 2 to Fliegerkorps V to provide KG 51 with support. ZG 26 remained in action during the Dunkirk evacuation, and the final phase of the French campaign, Fall Rot. Over 31 May, ZG 26 claimed five Spitfires over Dunkirk. Two Hurricanes were known to have been shot down in combat with Bf 110s. Both No. 229 Squadron RAF pilots survived. A Spitfire from No. 64 Squadron RAF was reported lost in combat with Bf 110s. Its pilot was captured but later died of wounds. On 5 June Stab./ZG 26 was based