In an unusual mission, on 26 April 1945, 12 Fw 190s from JG 26 under the command of Hans Dortenmann escorted "Generaloberst" Robert Ritter von Greim and test pilot Hanna Reitsch from Rechlin–Lärz Airfield to Gatow Airport. The two were on a journey to meet Hitler in the "Führerbunker". During the meeting, Hitler promoted von Greim to "Generalfeldmarschall" (field marshal) and appointed him Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe. Dortenmann was involved in the last mission of the war, when he led nine Fw 190s on a "free hunt", combat air patrol, to the Kiel canal on 4 May. The German surrender at Lüneburg Heath the same day, precluded any further military operations. JG 26 was ordered to Norway on 5 May, but Karl Borris argued with commanding officer Franz Götz that weather made the transfer impossible. On 7 May "Leutnant" Hermann Gern became the last of approximately 30,000 Wehrmacht serviceman shot for dereliction of duty for returning home without orders. VE Day occurred the following morning. Götz surrendered JG 26 to the British at Flensburg.