Jagdfliegerschule Werneuchen (Werneuchen Fighter Pilot School) was established on November 1, 1937, in Werneuchen with three Staffeln. On 15 January 1940, the school was renamed Jagdfliegerschule 1 (Fighter Pilot School 1). On December 17, 1941, an operational squadron was formed in Jever from the school's personnel and aircraft. This became the 10./JG 1 in March 1942. Finally On 15 December 1942, the school was renamed Jagdgeschwader 101.

The units first Kommandeure was Oberst Teodor "Theo" Osterkamp. Otermann was a well-known fighter ace from WW I scoring 32 confirmed victories and he was one of the last recipient of the covered Pour le Mérite".

He had joined the new Luftwaffe 1935 as a Hauptmann, commanding the elite 4./JG 132 "Richthofen". Then he took up command of II Gruppe JG 134 "Hors Wessel" before joining Werneuchen Fighter Pilot School.

Later On 1 August 1942, he was transferred to Luftgaustab z.b.V. Afrika. On 5 April 1943, he was appointed Jagdfliegerführer Sizilien and served until replaced on 15 June by Adolf Galland.

Theo then served in a number of staff positions until being appointed Inspekteur der Luftwaffen-Bodenorganisation (Inspector of Luftwaffe ground organisation) in 1944. His criticism of the top brass within the Luftwaffe finally led to his dismissal from service in December 1944.

On 20 November 1939 the command was took over by Oberstleutnant Otto-Friedrich von Houwalf who was transferred from I Gruppe JG 3.

This particular Bf 109 Emil was the fourth of ten produced of the preproduction E-0 subtype. It was manufactured in December 1938 at the Messerschmitt Augsburg plant.

Please note that this profile was one of six made during the week, five of them was made thanks to Jochen Priens latest book in his Jagdflieger series, Making five late war, 1945 fighter profiles.