Early December 1943 the III./JG 54 was based to Ludwigslust in the Home defences (Reichsverteidigung) while the rest of the Geschwader was based in the East.

The Gruppen was equipped with the Bf 109 G and a few Fw 190As. The establishment of 52 fighters only 19 was ready for action. During this build up period the Gruppe was lucky that they did not have to engaged the enemy, the 8th USAAF more than three times during January, on the 5, 11 and finally on the 24th.

During this clashes with the American airforce the Gruppe claimed a total of 13 Abschüsse, three fighters and 10 four-engine bombers, all for an own loss of four Bf 109s and with them three pilots killed in action.

Oblt Friedrich "Fritz" Brock probably flew this particular machine. A pilot that was accredited with a total of eight confirmed victories. Transferred to the Stab III/.JG 54 in February he continued to fly combat missions up to 8 April.

This day when he claimed his last, a B-24 over Helmstedt, althoug receiving both eye and head injuries during the encounter he manage to bail out of his crippled Bf 109 G-6, never to return to active duty.

It is interesting to note that the day after, on 9 April 1944 Uffz. Günther Sahl was to lose his life in "Black 8", shot down over Rastorfer Passau/Holstein.

Note that this well known Bf 109 G-6 was futured in a German news real, taken at Ludwigslust in January. It sports all the markings seen on the Gruppes fighters: Geschwader, Gruppe and a Staffel badges, the blue Reichsverteidigung fuselage band and a yellow rudder.