Die Reichsverteidigung JV 44
Heinz Bär

In February 1945, GenLt. Adolf Galland established the famous Jagdverband 44, an all jet intended Me 262 Sonderkommando predominantly formed from Luftwaffe Experten. However JV 44 didn't receive their first Me 262 until 14th March, with type conversion and training continuing throughout that month. The first operational victory by JV 44 in an Me 262 was achieved only in late March by Obst. Johannes Steinhoff.

Concurrently in March 1945, another even more heavily armed fighter variant of the Me 262 was trialed by EJG 2 at Lechfeld. Me 262A-1a/U5 W.Nr. 112 355 had been modified to accommodate a lethal combination of no less than six 30mm MK 108 Rheinmetall‑Borsig autocannons in the nose. Amazingly, a total 500 rounds of 30mm cannon ammunition was able to be carried, respectively 100, 85 and 65 rounds per gun of each pair. Only a single prototype of this version ever flew.

On 23rd April, with advancing American ground forces threatening to overrun EJG 2 at Lechfeld, Obst.Lt Heinz Bär the Kommandeur of the Me 262 jet training unit III./EJG 2 made the decision to evacuate. Bär with some of his instructor staff of III./EJG 2 relocated to JV 44 at München-Reim, saving what precious few Me 262s they could including Me 262A-1a/U5 V355. The Me 262 experienced Bär had achieved 13 confirmed victories whilst flying the type with EJG 2, so it is believed Bär's initial three days with JV 44 in the chaos of that time were prioritised instructing JV 44's pilots on tactical interception techniques with the Me 262 and converting new arrivals onto the type.

On 26 April 1945 Galland was wounded on operations. With Obst. Steinhoff badly burnt in a take-off accident on 18th April and out of the picture, Obstlt. Heinz Bär assumed operational command of JV 44.

On 27 April 1945, it is known Bär flew an operational sortie in V355 with JV 44 in a Kette comprising himself, Maj. Wilhelm Herget and Uffz. Franz Köster. Engaging USAAF fighters over Riem, Bär is recorded as shooting down a P-47 whilst flying the Me 262 A-1a/U5. The next day, 28th April 1945, Bär achieved his final three victories of the war flying the Me 262. As yet -still searching, I am unable to find credible confirmation Bär was flying V355 on the 28th, but assuming it was serviceable it is probable he was.

Bär's Abschüsse by the war's end stood at two hundred and twenty one, sixteen of which were shot down whilst flying the Me 262 with at least one confirmed whilst flying V355.