A geometric proof of a theorem of Jung (Q1419579)

Let \(\text{Aut}({\mathbb C}^2)\) be the group of polynomial automorphisms of \({\mathbb C}^2\). Let \(A \subset \text{Aut}({\mathbb C}^2)\) be the subgroup of affine automorphisms, i.e. \[ A = \{(x,y) \rightarrow (a_1x+b_1y+c_1,a_2x+b_2y+c_2) \mid a_i,b_i,c_i \in {\mathbb C}, a_1b_2-a_2b_1 \neq 0\}, \] and \(E \subset \text{Aut}({\mathbb C}^2)\) be the subgroup of elementary automorphisms, i.e. \[ E = \{(x,y) \rightarrow (ax+p(y),by+c) | a,b \in {\mathbb C}^*, p \in {\mathbb C}[y]\}. \] \textit{H. E. W. Jung} proved that \(\text{Aut}({\mathbb C}^2)\) is generated by \(A\) and \(E\) [J. Reine Angew. Math. 184, 161--174 (1942; Zbl 0027.08503)]. A new geometric proof of this theorem is given.