JG 26 was assigned to "Jagdfliegerführer" 2, a fighter command within Luftflotte 2. JG 26 was tasked with supporting Army Group B in the Battle of the Netherlands and Battle of Belgium, which encouraged the French Army and British Army into the Low Countries while Army Group A outflanked them through lower Belgium and Luxembourg, north of the Maginot Line. JG 51, "Jagdgeschwader" 27 (JG 27—27th Fighter Wing) and "Zerstörergeschwader" 26 (ZG 26—26th Destroyer Wing) provided air superiority support. II. and III. "Gruppen" operated over the Netherlands in the first days, with the attached III. "Gruppe" of "Jagdgeschwader" 3 (JG 3—3rd Fighter Wing). I. "Gruppe" joined them, under the command of JG 51. Stab/JG 26 had four Bf 109s on strength (three operational), I. "Gruppe" 44 (35), II. "Gruppe" 47 (36) and III. "Gruppe" 42 (22), based at Dortmund, Bonninghardt, Dortmund and Essen respectively.