Jagdstaffel 13
Jasta 13 | |
---|---|
Active | 1916–1918 |
Country | German Empire |
Branch | Luftstreitkräfte |
Type | Fighter squadron |
Engagements | World War I |
Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 13 was a World War I "hunting group" (i.e., fighter squadron) of the Luftstreitkräfte, the air arm of the Imperial German Army during World War I. The unit would score 108 aerial victories during the war, at the expense of twelve killed in action, one killed in a flying accident, two wounded in action, and two taken prisoner of war.[1][2]
History
Jasta 13 was formed on 16 September 1916. Its founding personnel came from the Fokkerstaffel attached to FFA 9, and from other aviation units in the area of Armee-Abteilung C. They were operational by 15 October 1916.[1] However, Jasta 13 did not score its first victory until 22 January 1917.[2] In Spring 1917, the squadron was assigned to support of 7th Armee.[1]
By the end of August 1917, the unit had been credited with about ten victories.[3] In September, it joined
After this extensive campaigning within France, including the
Commanding officers (Staffelführer)
- Oberleutnant Erhard Egerer: ca 16 September 1916 – 26 December 1916
- Eduard Dostler (later to be known as: Eduard Ritter von Dostler): 27 December 1916 – ca 19 February 1917
- Leutnant de Reserves Wolfgang Güttler: ca 20 February 1917 – 29 October 1917 (KIA)
- Oberleutnant Alex Thomas: 21 February 1918 – 1 May 1918
- Leutnant de Reserves Wilhelm Schwartz: 1 May 1918 – 15 June 1918 (WIA)
- Leutnant Franz Büchner: 15 June 1918 – 11 November 1918[1][2]
Duty stations (airfields)
- Mars-la-Tour, France
- La Selve, Aisne, France
- Le Clos Ferme, Boncourt
- Marle, Aisne, France
- Cambrai, France
- Reneuil Ferme: 13 February 1918
- Autremencourt, France
- Guise, France
- Roupy, France
- Guisecourt
- Balâtre, France
- Boneuil Ferme
- Le Mesnil, Nesle
- Mesnil-Bruntel, France
- Leffincourt, France
- Chéry-lès-Pouilly, France
- Foreste, France
- Fontaine-Notre-Dame, France[note 1]
- Neuflize, France
- Tichémont
- Stenay, France
- Carignan, Ardennes, France
- Florenville, Luxembourg
- Trier, Germany[2]
Personnel
A number of notable aces flew with Jasta 13. Indeed, four of the Staffelnführer were renowned aces. Eduard Ritter von Dostler won a Pour le Mérite and a knighthood; Guttler, Thomas, and Buchner were all decorated for their services. The squadron also contained other decorated aces who did not succeed to its command, in Kurt Hetze, Reinhold Jörke and balloon buster Hans Martin Pippart.
Aircraft
Early aircraft assigned to Jasta 13 are unknown, though its foundation from a Fokkerstaffel strongly hint of
Jasta 13 joined Jagdgeschwader II in February 1918. Identifiable by serial number or pilot insignia, these are some of the aircraft known to have served with the squadron:
- One Albatros D.V
- Three Fokker Dr.Is
- Four Fokker D.VIIs[4]
Operations
In Spring 1917, the squadron was assigned to support of
In February 1918, it was assigned to
Footnotes
- Fonsommes is meant, next to Fontaine-Notre-Damein the Aisne.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Franks, Bailey & Guest (1993), p. 35.
- ^ a b c d e "Jasta 13". The Aerodrome. 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ a b VanWyngarden (2005), pp. 10–11.
- ^ VanWyngarden (2005), pp. 122–126.
- Bibliography
- ISBN 978-0-948817-73-1.
- VanWyngarden, Greg (2005). Jagdgeschwader Nr II. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-727-7.