"Together, they were an élite. They learned to fight in a manner unheard of, and they learned to die in a manner unprecedented."

-Oblt. Karl Bodenschatz
Adjutant, Jagdgeschwader 1

Royal Prussian Jagdgeschwader Nr I or JG I was founded on 24 June 1917. It was the first fighter wing within the Luftstreitkräfte (German Air Service). It was composed of a permanent grouping of four existing Jagdstaffen (hunting squadrons), a term often contracted into Jastas. These hunting squadrons were: Jasta 4, Jasta 6, Jasta 10 and Jasta 11. This gave Jadgeschwader Nr I a total strength which fluctuated around 50 aircraft.

The first Commanding Officer of JG I was Rittmeister Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen (2 May 1892 – 21 April 1918). Richthofen, known to history as the Red Baron, took command of JG I on 26 July 1917. Because of Richthofen’s skill and success as a military leader and pilot, the fighter wing was colloquially known to German airmen as the “Geschwader Richthofen”. To the British Royal Flight Corps, it was "Richthofen’s Flying Circus".

After Richthofen was killed in action on 21 April 1918, Hauptmann Wilhelm Reinhard took command of JG I on 22 April 1918. Reinhard would be killed in a flying accident on 3 July 1918. Upon Reinhard’s death, Oberleutnant Hermann Göring took command of the Jagdgeschwader on 8 July 1918. Göring, who would become infamous later in life, would command JG I until the end of the war on 11 November 1918.

According to Göring, "Jadgeschwader Freiherr von Richthofen Nr I" by wars end had accounted for the destruction of at least 644 aircraft. In comparison, the fighter wing lost 56 officers and 6 enlisted men killed in action and 52 officers and 7 enlisted men wounded.

Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 4, or Jasta 4, was created on 25 August 1916. Formed from Kampfeinsitzerkommando Vaux (KEK Vaux), a temporary fighter unit organized with pilots from more permanent squadrons, Jasta 4’s creation was authorized by Kriegs ministerium von 31.8.16 Nr.929.16.g.A.7.L. The unit immediately commenced operations from Roupy, France, located within 2 Armee Sector. The first Commanding Officer of Jasta 4 was Oberleutnant Hans-Joachim Buddecke.

On 21 December 1916, Jasta 4 was transferred to the 5 Armee Sector on the Verdun Front. Less than two months later, it returned to the 2 Armee Sector on 10 February 1917, only to be moved to the 6 Armee Sector on 24 February. Jasta 4 would remain within the 6 Armee Sector until 31 May 1917, when it would be transferred to the 4 Armee Sector in the Flanders region.

On 5 July 1917, while still within the Flanders region, Jasta 4 was assigned to Royal Prussian Jagdgeschwader Nr I (JG I), commanded by Rittmeister Manfred von Richthofen. Within JG I, it would serve along side of Jasta 6, Jasta 10 and Jasta 11. On 21 November 1917, JG I returned to the 2 Armee Sector, brining Jasta 4 with it.

Jasta 4’s 100th aerial victory came on 1 April 1918 when Lt. Eugen Siempelkamp shot down a Sopwith Camel south east of Fouilloy. Soon after, on 20 May 1918, Jasta 4 was moved to the 7 Armee Sector. It was here where Jasta 4 would gain its 150th victory on 17 July 1918.

On 8 August 1918, Jasta 4 was moved to the 2 Armee Sector. And on 27 August, Jasta 4 was reassigned to Armee-Abteilung “C”. By 9 October 1918, Jasta 4 had departed Armee-Abteilung “C”, being reassigned to the 5 Armee Front where they would spend the rest of the war.

In total, Jasta 4 was credited with 192 confirmed victories, losing 11 pilots killed in action, 2 shot down and taken prisoner, and nine wounded.

Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 6, or Jasta 6, was created on 25 August 1916. Formed from Fokkerstaffel Sivry, under the command of Rittmeister Josef Wulff from Kampfgeschwader 5 (KG5), Fokkerstaffel Sivry had previously been formed from Fokkerstaffel Jametz and Oswald Boelcke’s original Kommando at Sivry. Jasta 6’s creation was authorized by Kriegs Ministerium von 31.8.16- Nr.929.16 g.A.7.L. u. AOK 5 v. 25.8.16 Ia. 2394.

Originally equipped with eight obsolete Fokker Eindekkers, mostly EIVs, Jasta 6 moved to the 2 Armee Front on the Somme on 29 September 1916. It was then re-equipped with Albatros DI scouts at Ugny. It also received one Fokker DV in late 1916.

On 1 May 1917, Leutnant Fritz Bernert from Jasta 2 took over the squadron, but moved back to Jasta 2 in early June. Oberleutnant Eduard von Dostler took over command in Bernert’s place, arriving from Jasta 34.

In early June 1917, Jasta 6 moved to Bisseghem by Courtai. Jasta 6 remained here until November 1917, by which time it had acquired Albatross DIII and DVs, as well as Fokker DrIs. When Jasta 6 moved to Markebecke on 2 July, it was absorbed into von Richthofen’s Jagdgeschwader I. It would remain with this unit until the end of the war.

In total, Jasta 6 was credited with at least 201 confirmed victories for the loss of 10 pilots killed, 2 killed and 4 injured in accidents, 3 taken prisoner and 9 wounded.

Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 10, or Jasta 10, was created on 28 September 1916 at Phalempin, near Lille. Formed from Kampfeinsitzer Kommondo 3, Jasta 10’s creation was authorized by Kriegs Ministerium von Nr.269. 10.16.A.7.L. through Kommandeur der Flieger 6.

Jasta 10 commenced operations on October 1916, where it was equipped with four Fokker EIII, a Fokker EI, two Fokker DII, a Halberstadt DII and two Albatros DIIs. The first Commanding Officer of Jasta 10 was Oberleutnant Ludwig Linck of Flieger-Abteilung 18. When Oberleutnant Linck was shot down and killed in combat with FE8s of 40 Sqn and FE2bs of 25 Sqn, RFC, over Carvin on the 22 October 1916, Oberleutnant Karl Rummelspacher became commander as Linck’s replacement.

On 28 October 1916, Jasta 10 was sent to the 5 Armee Sector. Here, on 25 March 1917, Offizierstellvertreter Paul Aue achieved the first confirmed victory for the Jasta.

On 18 June 1917, Oberleutnant Rummelspacher was transferred to Idflieg. Command of the Jasta then fell to Leutnant Albert Dossenbach, who transferred from Jasta 36. Leutnant Dossenbach was killed in combat with DH4s from the 57 Sqn, RFC over Frezenberg on 3 July 1917. Oberleutnant Ernst Freiherr von Althaus of Jasta 14 then took command and would hold this position until 30 July when he was sent to Jagdstaaffe-schule II.

On 5 July 1917, Jasta 10 joined Jastas 4, 6 and 11 to form Jagdgeschwader I at Marcke, within 4 Armee Sector, under the command of Rittmeister Manfred von Richthofen. And with von Althaus’ departure on 30 July, Leutnant Werner Voss assumed command after transferring from Jasta 14. Voss would become the first pilot to score five times with the Jasta. However, on 23 September 1917, Voss was killed in combat during a fight with 56 Sqn, RFC, near Frezenberg. He had 48 victories.

With Leutnant Voss’ death, Ernst Weigand was named new commander; however he was killed two days later when he is shot down in flames near Nachtegaal by 56 Sqn, RFC. On 27 September, Leutnant Hans Klein transferred from Jasta 4 and assumed command of Jasta 10. On 27 November, JG I is sent to the 2 Armee Front, and on 19 February 1918, Leutnant Klein was wounded was flying a Pfalz DIII. Leutnant Erich Löwenhardt took over Klein’s command.

On 20 May 1918, JG I moved back to the 7 Armee Sector. On 30 June, the Jasta’s 100th victory was reported. And on 10 August, Jasta 10 moved back to the 2 Armee. That same day, Leutnant Löwenhardt was killed as a result of a mid-air collision with Leutnant Wentz of Jasta 11 over Chaulnes. His parachute failed to open. Leutnant Alois Heldmann then took over command of Jasta 10 until Leutnant Arthur Laumann, from Jasta 66 arrived on 13 August 1918. Leutnant Laumann would command Jasta 10 for the rest of the war.

After the St. Mihiel offensive, JG I was moved to the Armee Abteilung “C” Sector, and after a few days, JG I was then moved to 5 Armee Front on 8 October.

Jasta 10 received credit for at least 151 confirmed victories as well as 10 that are questionable for the loss of 20 pilots killed in combat, 4 taken prisoner, 10 wounded and 1 killed in an accident.

Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 11, or Jasta 11, was created on 28 September 1916 through Kommandeur der Flieger 6. Jasta 11’s creation was authorized by Kriegs Ministerium von Nr.269.10.16.A.7.L and the Jasta became operational on 10 October 1916 in 6 Armee Sector.

The first commanding officer of Jasta 11 was Oberleutnant Rudolf Emil Lang. And after Oberteutnant Lang transferred to command Jasta 28 on 14 January 1917, Leutnant Manfred von Richthofen assumed command on 15 January, having transferred in from Jasta Boelcke. On 23 January 1917, Richthofen became the first pilot within the Jasta to score a victory. Richthofen also became the first pilot within the Jasta to score five victories with the unit.

Jasta 11 was transferred to the 4 Armee Sector, in Flanders on 10 June 1917. And on 25 June 1917, Richthofen was appointed Commanding Officer of Jagdgeschwader I, composed of Jastas 4, 6, 10 and 11.

With Richthofen’s appointment, Leutnant Kurt Wolff, a former Jasta 11 pilot who had been sent on 2 May to command Jasta 29, returned to lead Jasta 11 on 2 July 1917. After two victories with the Jasta, however, Leutnant Wolff was killed in combat on 15 September during an engagement with 10 Sqn., RNAS. With Wolff’s death, Leutnant Gisbert-Wilhelm Groos took over temporary command of Jasta 11.

On 25 September 1917, Leutnant Lothar von Richtofen assumed command of Jasta 11. And on 22 November 1917, Jasta 11 moved to the 2 Armee Front. When Lothar von Richthofen was wounded in combat on 13 March 1918, several temporary commanders took over Jasta 11 in his absence. On 21 May 1918, Jasta 11 was transferred to the 7 Armee Front, and on 19 July 1918, Lothar von Richthofen returned to command.

On 10 August 1918, Jasta 11 returned to the 2 Armee Front, where Lothar von Richthofen was again wounded in combat on 13 August 1918. Command then passed to Oberleutnant Erich Rüdiger von Wedel. Oberleutnant von Wedel would command Jasta 11 until the end of the war.

After the St. Mihiel offensive, JGI moved to the Armee-Abteilung “C” Sector on 28 September 1918. On 8 October 1918, Jasta 11 was reassigned to the 5 Armee Front. It would stay here for the rest of the war.

In total, Jasta 11 was credited with a total of 350 victories, which includes some of those gained by commanding officer of Jagdgeschwader I: Manfred von Richthofen (27), Wilhelm Reinhard (8) and Hermann Göring (1). Jasta 11 lost 17 pilots killed in action, 2 taken prisoner, 19 wounded and 2 killed in accidents.

Title: The Jasta Pilots: Detailed Listings and Histories, August 1916 – November 1918
Author(s): Franks, Norman., Bailey, Frank & Duiven, Rick.
Publication: London: Grub Street.
Year: 1996
Description: 364 p., [32] p. of plates : ill., ports., maps ; 26 cm.
Subject: World War, 1914-1918 -- Aerial operations, German.
Language: English









Title: Richtofen’s Circus: Jagdgeschwader Nr. 1
Author(s): VanWyngarden, Greg.
Publication: Oxford, Great Britan: Osprey Publishing.
Year: 2004
Description: 128 p., [13] p. of plates : ill., ports., maps ; 26 cm.
Subject: World War, 1914-1918 -- Aerial operations, German.
Language: English Series: Aviation Elite Units;