Jagdstaffel 16
Royal Bavarian Jagdstaffel 16 was a "hunting group" (i.e., fighter squadron) of the Luftstreitkräfte, the air arm of the Imperial German Army during World War I.
Jasta 16 | |
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The Pfalz D.IIIa of Vizefeldwebel Max Holtzem of Jasta 16 | |
Active | 1916–1918 |
Country | German Empire |
Branch | Luftstreitkräfte |
Type | Fighter squadron |
Engagements | World War I |
History
Royal Bavarian Jagdstaffel 16 was founded from two ad hoc predecessor units — a Bavarian reconnaissance unit, Flieger Abteilung 9, and Kampfeinsitzer-Kommando Ensisheim. These two units were amalgamated on 16 October 1916, while posted in Armee-Abteilung B Sector. Oberleutnant Otto Deßloch commanded this nascent squadron the few days it took to be designated Jagdstaffel 16, on 1 November. By the time it disbanded just two years later, it had established its credentials as a balloon buster squadron, with an even two dozen enemy observation balloons destroyed, as well as 58 victories over enemy aircraft.[1]
Commanding officers (Staffelführer)
- Paul Kremer: 1 November 1916 – 8 July 1917
- Heinrich Geigl: 18 July 1917 – 20 August 1917
- Robert Dycke: 20 August 1917 – 1 December 1917
- Heinrich Geigl: 1 December 1917 – 4 April 1918
- Friedrich Ritter von Röth: 8 April 1918 – 9 September 1918
- Rudolf Eck: 9 September 1918 – October 1918
- Friedrich Ritter von Röth: October 1918 – 11 November 1918[2]
- Albert Wilhelm Ferdinand Gröner, 1 November 1916 – 20 July 1917[3]
Duty stations (airfields)
- Ensisheim: 16 October 1916 – 13 April 1917
- Habsheim: 13 April 1917 – 6 May 1917
- Château-Porcien: 7 May 1917 – 4 June 1917
- Spincourt: 6 June 1917 – 20 October 1917
- Erlon: 21 October 1917 – 23 November 1917
- Mercy-le-Haute: 24 November 1917 – 4 February 1918
- Aertrycke: 7 February 1918 – 14 March 1918
- Le Cateau: 15 March 1918 – 20 March 1918
- Foucaucourt: 21 March 1918 – 6 April 1918
- St. Marguerite: 13 April 1918 – October 1918
- Scheldewindeke: October 1918 – 11 November 1918[2]
Notable personnel
Aircraft operated
- Fokker E.III
- Fokker E.IV
- Fokker D.I
- Fokker D.II
- Pfalz D.II
- Albatros D.III
- Albatros D.V
- Fokker Dr.I
- Fokker D.VII[1]
References
- Franks, Bailey & Guest (1993), p. 36.
- "Jasta 16". The Aerodrome. 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- "Bavaria, Germany, WWI Personnel Rosters, 1914-1918". ancestry.com.
- Bibliography
- Franks, Norman; Bailey, Frank W. & Guest, Russell F. (1993). Above The Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service, and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914–1918. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN 978-0-948817-73-1.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)