Adolf Galland
On 24 February 1945, "Generalleutnant" Adolf Galland and Steinhoff recruited Hohagen and "Major" Karl-Heinz Schnell from hospital to join the new "Jagdverband" 44 (JV 44—44th Fighter Detachment) forming at . Galland had received permission to create and staff the unorthodox fighter group from Luftwaffe Chief, "Reichsmarschall" Hermann Göring. JV 44 received its first Me 262 aircraft by 14 March. On 31 March, JV 44 moved to Munich-Riem Airfield.