Jasta 2
Encyclopedia
Jasta 2 was one of the best-known German Luftstreitkräfte Squadrons in World War I
. It was founded by the great aerial tactician Oswald Boelcke
, and was the incubator of several notable aviation careers.
s, Jasta 2 had no parent unit and there was therefore no mass transfer of personnel from existing staffeln. Assigned to the German
1st Army, the unit was created with the intention that Hauptmann
Oswald Boelcke
would be its leader. Jasta 2 was formed on 10 August 1916 at Bertincourt
. Boelcke was ordered to return from an inspection tour of south-eastern theatres of the War to take command and arrived back on the Western Front
later that month.
After Max Immelmann
's death, Kaiser Wilhelm II had ordered Boelcke grounded for a month to avoid losing him in combat soon after Immelman. He had become such an important hero to the German public, as well as such an authority on aerial warfare, that he could not be risked. Given a choice between a desk job and a tour of the Middle East, Boelcke downed a Nieuport
over Douaumont
on 27 June and reported to headquarters. Boelcke was detailed to share his expertise with the head of German military aviation. The German air force was being reorganized into the Luftstreitkräfte
in mid-1916; this reorganization was inspired by Boelcke. At this time, Boelcke codified his Dicta
. He also shared his views on creation of a fighter arm, and the organization of fighter squadrons.
Boelcke was sent on a tour of the Balkans. He transited Austria
to visit Turkey
. Upon his return swing, he visited Bulgaria and the Russian Front
. Boelcke would be visiting Wilhelm in Kovel
when he received a telegram from the head of German aviation, Feldflugchef (Aviation Chief of Staff) Oberstleutnant Hermann von der Lieth-Thomsen
, appointing him to raise, organize and command Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 2. He was given permission to choose his own pilots to form a fighter squadron. Among his first selections upon his return were Manfred von Richthofen
, Erwin Böhme
and Hans Reimann.
Woods. As of 27 August the fledgling Jasta had three officers and 64 other ranks on strength, but no aircraft.
The first aircraft arrived on 1 September; two Fokker DIIIs and an Albatros D.I. By 8 September there were eight pilots on strength, including Manfred von Richthofen and Erwin Böhme. Three days later, Böhme noted he was pushing for permission to use his castoff Halberstadt
, since Boelcke had a Fokker; there seemed to be four airplanes in the squadron by then. On 16 September, Boelcke's new squadron received five new Albatros D.I
s for the pilots, and an improved Albatros D.II
for the Staffelfuhrer
. Boelcke promptly put the new planes in the air on the first-ever fighter unit effort to gain local air superiority. At 1300 hours 16 September, Boelcke and five of his pilots took off; they intercepted a British bombing raid on Marcoing
Railway Station. While Boelcke held aside, his five tyros bounced a British formation of 14 planes, broke it up, and shot down two. The master himself added another. That night, a German army tradition was ditched and a new German air force custom established when the enlisted men were invited into the Jasta's social center.
Boelcke shot down ten Royal Flying Corps
planes in his first month with Jasta 2, September 1916. He would fly a solo mission in the morning and return to his "cubs" for afternoon training. However, in contrast to his freebooting style, his pilots always flew in disciplined formations in practice, and he repeatedly drilled them in his tactics. Among them were his famed combat rules, called "Boelcke's Dicta"
, which were the first systematic analysis of air combat and continued to be applicable through World War II
. Boelcke's attitude is best expressed in his own words: "Everything depends on sticking together when the Staffel goes into battle. It does not matter who actually scores the victory as long as the Staffel wins." He not only preached this doctrine to his own "cubs"; he proselytized throughout the Luftstreitkräfte
. He wrote upon his ideas, sketched them out, and delivered them in person to other aerodromes. Thus, Jasta 2 became the birthplace of fighter aviation tactics.
Boelcke was killed on 28 October 1916. Oblt. Stefan Kirmaier
, who had 10 victories of his own, was appointed leadership in his place. Kirmaier's command was to be short-lived; on 22 November, he lost his life after a fight with fliers from No. 24 Squadron. Hpt. Franz Walz
arrived from Jasta 29 a week later. Jasta 2 was re-named Jasta Boelcke on 17 December in honor of their former commander.
on 14 March, before arriving at Pronville
soon after. Walz left for Jasta 34 in June 1917 and the new commander was Lt. Fritz Otto Bernert
from Jasta 6.
.
Jagdstaffel 2 became the second highest scoring fighter unit (behind Jasta 11
); it would end the war with 25 aces among its ex- and current members, a total of 336 victories and a casualty list of only 44; 31 killed, 9 wounded, 2 prisoners of war, and 2 killed in accidents.
Jasta 2 markings were usually black and white tailplanes and elevators (top and bottom)—one side black, one side white.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. It was founded by the great aerial tactician Oswald Boelcke
Oswald Boelcke
Oswald Boelcke was a German flying ace of the First World War and one of the most influential patrol leaders and tacticians of the early years of air combat. Boelcke is considered the father of the German fighter air force, as well as the "Father of Air Fighting Tactics"; he was the first to...
, and was the incubator of several notable aviation careers.
Formation
As one of the very first JastaJasta
The Jagdstaffeln were specialized fighter squadrons in the Luftstreitkräfte during World War I.-Background:...
s, Jasta 2 had no parent unit and there was therefore no mass transfer of personnel from existing staffeln. Assigned to the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
1st Army, the unit was created with the intention that Hauptmann
Hauptmann
Hauptmann is a German word usually translated as captain when it is used as an officer's rank in the German, Austrian and Swiss armies. While "haupt" in contemporary German means "main", it also has the dated meaning of "head", i.e...
Oswald Boelcke
Oswald Boelcke
Oswald Boelcke was a German flying ace of the First World War and one of the most influential patrol leaders and tacticians of the early years of air combat. Boelcke is considered the father of the German fighter air force, as well as the "Father of Air Fighting Tactics"; he was the first to...
would be its leader. Jasta 2 was formed on 10 August 1916 at Bertincourt
Bertincourt
Bertincourt is a commune and seat of a canton in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:A farming village located 22 miles southeast of Arras at the junction of the D7, D18 and D19 roads.-Population:...
. Boelcke was ordered to return from an inspection tour of south-eastern theatres of the War to take command and arrived back on the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
later that month.
After Max Immelmann
Max Immelmann
Max Immelmann was the first German World War I flying ace. He was a great pioneer in fighter aviation and is often mistakenly credited with the first aerial victory using a synchronized gun...
's death, Kaiser Wilhelm II had ordered Boelcke grounded for a month to avoid losing him in combat soon after Immelman. He had become such an important hero to the German public, as well as such an authority on aerial warfare, that he could not be risked. Given a choice between a desk job and a tour of the Middle East, Boelcke downed a Nieuport
Nieuport
Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars.-Beginnings:...
over Douaumont
Douaumont
Douaumont is a commune in the Meuse department in Lorraine in north-eastern France.The village was destroyed during World War I. Today the Douaumont ossuary, which contains the remains of more than 100,000 unknown soldiers of both French and German nationalities found on the battlefield, stands...
on 27 June and reported to headquarters. Boelcke was detailed to share his expertise with the head of German military aviation. The German air force was being reorganized into the Luftstreitkräfte
Luftstreitkräfte
The Deutsche Luftstreitkräfte , known before October 1916 as Die Fliegertruppen des deutschen Kaiserreiches , or simply Die Fliegertruppen, was the air arm of the Imperial German Army during World War I...
in mid-1916; this reorganization was inspired by Boelcke. At this time, Boelcke codified his Dicta
Dicta Boelcke
The Dicta Boelcke is a list of fundamental aerial maneuvers of aerial combat formulated by the first great German flying ace of the First World War, Oswald Boelcke.-1. Try to secure the upper hand before attacking...
. He also shared his views on creation of a fighter arm, and the organization of fighter squadrons.
Boelcke was sent on a tour of the Balkans. He transited Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
to visit Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. Upon his return swing, he visited Bulgaria and the Russian Front
Eastern Front (World War I)
The Eastern Front was a theatre of war during World War I in Central and, primarily, Eastern Europe. The term is in contrast to the Western Front. Despite the geographical separation, the events in the two theatres strongly influenced each other...
. Boelcke would be visiting Wilhelm in Kovel
Kovel
Kovel is a city located in the Volyn Oblast , in northwestern Ukraine. Serving as the administrative center of the Kovelskyi Raion , the city itself is also designated as a separate raion within the oblast. The current estimated population is around 65,777.Kovel gives its name to one of the...
when he received a telegram from the head of German aviation, Feldflugchef (Aviation Chief of Staff) Oberstleutnant Hermann von der Lieth-Thomsen
Hermann von der Lieth-Thomsen
General Hermann von der Lieth-Thomsen, born Hermann Thomsen, was a German military aviation pioneer, a senior air commander in the Imperial German Army Air Service during World War I and a founding father of the German military aviation.-Early life and military career:Hermann Thomsen was born on...
, appointing him to raise, organize and command Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 2. He was given permission to choose his own pilots to form a fighter squadron. Among his first selections upon his return were Manfred von Richthofen
Manfred von Richthofen
Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen , also widely known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service during World War I...
, Erwin Böhme
Erwin Böhme
Erwin Böhme , Pour le Mérite, was a German pilot during World War I. He was born in Holzminden, grew into an athletic sportsman, and became a flying ace during the war credited with 24 victories. He was a both a close friend and a military subordinate of Oswald Boelcke and was inadvertently...
and Hans Reimann.
1916
Boelcke was appointed commander of Jasta 2 on 30 August 1916. The unit utilised the empty buildings vacated by FFA 32 in the VéluVélu
Vélu is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:Vélu is situated some southeast of Arras, at the junction of the D18 and the D18E roads.-Population:-Places of interest:...
Woods. As of 27 August the fledgling Jasta had three officers and 64 other ranks on strength, but no aircraft.
The first aircraft arrived on 1 September; two Fokker DIIIs and an Albatros D.I. By 8 September there were eight pilots on strength, including Manfred von Richthofen and Erwin Böhme. Three days later, Böhme noted he was pushing for permission to use his castoff Halberstadt
Halberstadt
Halberstadt is a town in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt and the capital of the district of Harz. It is located on the German Half-Timbered House Road and the Magdeburg–Thale railway....
, since Boelcke had a Fokker; there seemed to be four airplanes in the squadron by then. On 16 September, Boelcke's new squadron received five new Albatros D.I
Albatros D.I
|-See also:...
s for the pilots, and an improved Albatros D.II
Albatros D.II
|-See also:...
for the Staffelfuhrer
Staffelführer
Staffelführer was one of the first paramilitary ranks used by the German Schutzstaffel in the early years of that group’s existence...
. Boelcke promptly put the new planes in the air on the first-ever fighter unit effort to gain local air superiority. At 1300 hours 16 September, Boelcke and five of his pilots took off; they intercepted a British bombing raid on Marcoing
Marcoing
-References:*...
Railway Station. While Boelcke held aside, his five tyros bounced a British formation of 14 planes, broke it up, and shot down two. The master himself added another. That night, a German army tradition was ditched and a new German air force custom established when the enlisted men were invited into the Jasta's social center.
Boelcke shot down ten Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
planes in his first month with Jasta 2, September 1916. He would fly a solo mission in the morning and return to his "cubs" for afternoon training. However, in contrast to his freebooting style, his pilots always flew in disciplined formations in practice, and he repeatedly drilled them in his tactics. Among them were his famed combat rules, called "Boelcke's Dicta"
Dicta Boelcke
The Dicta Boelcke is a list of fundamental aerial maneuvers of aerial combat formulated by the first great German flying ace of the First World War, Oswald Boelcke.-1. Try to secure the upper hand before attacking...
, which were the first systematic analysis of air combat and continued to be applicable through World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Boelcke's attitude is best expressed in his own words: "Everything depends on sticking together when the Staffel goes into battle. It does not matter who actually scores the victory as long as the Staffel wins." He not only preached this doctrine to his own "cubs"; he proselytized throughout the Luftstreitkräfte
Luftstreitkräfte
The Deutsche Luftstreitkräfte , known before October 1916 as Die Fliegertruppen des deutschen Kaiserreiches , or simply Die Fliegertruppen, was the air arm of the Imperial German Army during World War I...
. He wrote upon his ideas, sketched them out, and delivered them in person to other aerodromes. Thus, Jasta 2 became the birthplace of fighter aviation tactics.
Boelcke was killed on 28 October 1916. Oblt. Stefan Kirmaier
Stefan Kirmaier
Oberleutnant Stefan Kirmaier was a World War I flying ace credited with eleven aerial victories.Kirmaier began World War I as an infantryman. After transferring into aviation, he was posted to FAA 203 in 1915 and early 1916. He was then attached to KEK Jametz, and scored his first three victories...
, who had 10 victories of his own, was appointed leadership in his place. Kirmaier's command was to be short-lived; on 22 November, he lost his life after a fight with fliers from No. 24 Squadron. Hpt. Franz Walz
Franz Walz
Generalleutnant Franz Walz began his military career in the infantry in 1905. In 1912, he switched to aviation. He attained the rank of Hauptmann while becoming a flying ace during World War I. He flew more than 500 combat sorties in Palestine and upon the Western Front. He scored seven confirmed...
arrived from Jasta 29 a week later. Jasta 2 was re-named Jasta Boelcke on 17 December in honor of their former commander.
1917
The unit's 100th claim was during February 1917, and the Jasta then moved to EswarsEswars
-References:*...
on 14 March, before arriving at Pronville
Pronville
Pronville is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Population:-Places of interest:* The church of St.Géry, rebuilt, as was much of the village, after the First World War.-References:* -External links:...
soon after. Walz left for Jasta 34 in June 1917 and the new commander was Lt. Fritz Otto Bernert
Fritz Otto Bernert
Oberleutnant Fritz Otto Bernert was a leading German fighter ace of World War I. He scored 27 victories despite being essentially one-armed.-Early life and service:...
from Jasta 6.
1918
Jasta 2 became part of the new Jagdgeschwader 3 in February 1918, under the command of Bruno LoerzerBruno Loerzer
Bruno Loerzer was an officer in the German Luftstreitkräfte during World War I and Luftwaffe during World War II....
.
Jagdstaffel 2 became the second highest scoring fighter unit (behind Jasta 11
Jasta 11
Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 11 was founded on 28 September 1916 from elements of 4 armee's Keks 1, 2 and 3 and mobilized on 11 October as part of the German Air Service's expansion program, forming permanent specialised fighter squadrons, or "Jastas"...
); it would end the war with 25 aces among its ex- and current members, a total of 336 victories and a casualty list of only 44; 31 killed, 9 wounded, 2 prisoners of war, and 2 killed in accidents.
Jasta 2 markings were usually black and white tailplanes and elevators (top and bottom)—one side black, one side white.
Staffelführers (Commandants)
- Hauptmann Oswald Boelcke (27 August to 22 September 1916)
- Oberleutnant Günther Viehweger (acting) (22 September to 23 September 1916)
- Hauptmann Oswald Boelcke (23 September 1916 to 28 October 1916)
- Oberleutnant Stefan Kirmaier (30 October to 22 November 1916)
- Oberleutnant Karl BodenschatzKarl BodenschatzGeneral Karl-Heinrich Bodenschatz was a German military officer who was the adjutant to Manfred von Richthofen in World War I and the liaison officer between Hermann Göring and Adolf Hitler in World War II....
(acting) (22 November to 29 November 1916) - Hauptmann Franz Walz (29 November 1916 to 9 June 1917)
- Oberleutnant Fritz Otto BernertFritz Otto BernertOberleutnant Fritz Otto Bernert was a leading German fighter ace of World War I. He scored 27 victories despite being essentially one-armed.-Early life and service:...
(9 June to 28 June 1917) - Leutnant Otto Hunzinger (acting) (28 June to 29 June 1917)
- Oberleutnant Fritz Otto Bernert (29 June to 18 August 1917)
- Leutnant Erwin BöhmeErwin BöhmeErwin Böhme , Pour le Mérite, was a German pilot during World War I. He was born in Holzminden, grew into an athletic sportsman, and became a flying ace during the war credited with 24 victories. He was a both a close friend and a military subordinate of Oswald Boelcke and was inadvertently...
(18 August to 29 November 1917) - Leutnant Eberhard Fr. von Gudenburg (acting) (29 November to 13 December 1917)
- Leutnant Walter von Bülow-BothkampWalter von Bülow-BothkampWalter von Bülow-Bothkamp , Pour le Merite, Military Order of Saint Henry, Iron Cross was a German fighter ace from an aristocratic family who was credited with 28 victories.- Early life :...
(13 December 1917 to 6 January 1918) - Leutnant Max Ritter von Müller (acting) (6 January to 9 January 1918)
- Leutnant Theodor Cammann (acting) (9 January to 26 January 1918)
- Leutnant Otto Walter HöhneOtto HoehneLeutnant Otto Walter Höhne was a German World War I flying ace credited with six confirmed aerial victories. Höhne was a pioneer ace; he was the first pilot to score a victory while flying the Fokker D.I During WWII he was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross...
(26 January to 20 February 1918) - Leutnant Karl BolleKarl BolleRittmeister Karl Bolle, , Pour le Merite, Military Merit Cross, Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Friedrich Order, Iron Cross was a fighter ace with 36 victories during World War I...
(20 February to 4 September 1918) - Leutnant Otto Löffler (acting) (4 September to 18 September 1918)
- Oberleutnant Karl Bolle (18 September 1918 to Disbandment)
Personnel
Some of the jasta's 25 aces rose to command. Among those that did not, the following were especially notable:- Paul BäumerPaul BäumerPaul Wilhelm Bäumer was a German fighter ace in World War I.-Involvement in World War 1:Bäumer learned to fly before the war but joined the infantry and was wounded in the leg in 1915. He transferred to the air service as a dental assistant before being accepted for military pilot training...
- Karl BolleKarl BolleRittmeister Karl Bolle, , Pour le Merite, Military Merit Cross, Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Friedrich Order, Iron Cross was a fighter ace with 36 victories during World War I...
- Werner VossWerner VossWerner Voss was a World War I German flying ace, a friend and rival of the famous Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen....
- Ernst BormannErnst BormannDr.-Ing. Ernst BormannIn German a Doctorate in engineering is abbreviated as Dr.-Ing. . was a German World War I Luftstreitkräfte flying ace and a Generalmajor of the Luftwaffe during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
- Manfred von RichthofenManfred von RichthofenManfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen , also widely known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service during World War I...
- Hermann FrommherzHermann FrommherzGeneralmajor Hermann Frommherz Military Order of St. Henry, Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Knight's Cross of the Karl-Friedrich Order of Military Merit, began his military career in World War I as an ace fighter pilot. He was credited with 32 victories...
- Karl GallwitzKarl GallwitzLeutnant Karl Gallwitz was a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories.Gallwitz originally flew a Roland D.III for artillery cooperation units on the Russian Front, shooting down two observation balloons with FA 37, before a brief assignment to Jasta 29. On 24 August 1917, he joined...
- Hans Imelmann
- Leopold ReimannLeopold ReimannOffizierstellvertreter Leopold Rudolf Reimann was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...
- Adolf von Tutschek
- Dieter CollinDieter CollinLeutnant Dieter Collin was a World War I flying ace credited with 13 aerial victories.Collin was originally assigned to Jasta 22 in November 1916, but was quickly reassigned to Jasta 2. He scored his first victory there, on 23 November 1916. He picked up his second the day after Christmas. On 21...