III./JG 54
The Kommandeure of III/JG 54
| Major Mettig | 15 Jul 30 | to | 2 Feb 40 |
| Hauptmann Ultsch | 3 Feb 40 | to | 5 Sep 40 |
| Oberleutnant Scholz | 6 Sep 40 | to | 4 Nov 40 |
| Hauptmann Lignitz | 4 Nov 40 | to | 30 Sep 40? |
| Hauptmann Seiler | 1 Oct 40? | to | 15 Apr 40? |
| Hauptmann Schnell | May 43 | to | 1 Feb 44 |
| Oberleutnant Patzak | |||
| Hauptmann Klemm | |||
| Hauptmann Sinner | Mar 44 | to | 10 Mar 44 |
| Hauptmann Schroer | 14 Mar 44 | to | 20 Jul 44 |
| Hauptmann Weiss | 21 Jul 44 | to | 29 Dec 44 |
| Oberleutnant Dortenmann | |||
| Oberleutnant Heilmann | |||
| Hauptmann/Major Klemm | Feb 45 | to | 17 Apr 45 |
The III./JG 54 has its roots in Prussia. Initially I./JG 21, the members were drawn from the Jesau region in Prussia. The modified Jesau coat-of-arms (a shield with a Jesau cross with three diving aircraft on a red background, with a white outline on the shield) was adopted as the Gruppe's own.
On July 15, 1939, I./JG 21 was redesignated III./JG 54. However, the bureaucratic nature of the young Luftwaffe was such that it was over a year before records would reflect the new designation. Consequently, III./JG 54 fought in Poland and France as I./JG 21.