Jasta 11

The Jasta 11 or Königlich Preußische Jagdstaffel NR 11 was a fighter squadron of the German army during the First World War. Jasta is an acronym formed by the abbreviation of the German word Ja gd' sta' ffel (fighter squadron).

Many a ace prevailed in this famous flotilla of which Manfred von Richthofen (known as the red Baron), Karl-Emil Schäfer, Kurt Wolf and Ernst Udet. Created the September 28th 1916 with personnel resulting from the Kek ( Kampfeinsitzer Kommando or " commandos of hunters monoplaces" in French) 1,2 and 3 of the 4th army. Its first engagement took place the October 11th 1916 close to Douai-Brayelles in the sector of the 6th German army. The first chief of flotilla was Lieutenant Rudolf Emil Lang until his change with the head of the flotilla Jasta 28. Its successor was the second lieutenant Manfred von Richthofen coming from Jasta 2 (Boelcke).

From mid-January 1917 Manfred von Richthofen became the commander of the flotilla and it applied, with much success, the tactical knowledge developed by Oswald Boelcke. In the three months which followed, the pilots of this escadrilles had with their credit more than 100 enemy planes shot down with only 2 lost planes.

In June 1917 it was integrated, with Jasta 4,6 and 10, in the Jagdgeschwader I (squadron of hunting), called the Fliegender Zirkus (air circus or flying circus) of the baron von Richthofen. Richthofen became the commander of Jagdgeschwader I until his death, the April 21st 1918. It was replaced by Willi Reinhard until the July 3rd 1918. Then, until the end of the war, the last chief of Jagdgeschwader I was Hermann Göring.

Until the end of the war, the November 11th 1918, Jasta 11 entered the greatest number of air victories of the First World War with 350 approved air victories; 17 pilots were killed with the combat, 2 were killed in plane crashes, 2 were made prisoner and 19 were wounded.

List successive commanders of Jasta 11

Note:

Leutnant = Under-lieutnant (French Army)

Oberleutnant = Lieutenant (French Army)

External bonds

History of aviation
History of aviation

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