Jagdstaffel 39

Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 39, commonly abbreviated to Jasta 39, was a "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 68 aerial victories during the war, including 14 observation balloons downed. The squadron's victories came at the expense of seven pilots killed in action, one killed in a flying accident, five wounded in action, and one taken prisoner of war.[1]

Jasta 39
The Jasta 39 flight line in Italy, 1917
Active1917–1918
CountryGerman Empire
BranchLuftstreitkräfte
TypeFighter squadron
EngagementsWorld War I
 • Western Front
 • Italian Front

History

Jasta 39 was founded on 30 June 1917 at Fliegerersatz-Abteilung (Replacement Detachment) 15, Hannover, Germany. It held its first formation 2 August 1917, under its original commander, Karl August Raben. It would serve until war's end, when the Luftstreitkräfte was disbanded.[1]

Commanding officers (Staffelführer)
Albatros D.III of Josef Loeser.
  1. August Raben: 2 August 1917 (to Jasta 15 as Staffelführer on 14 March 1918)[2]
  2. Franz von Kerssenbrock: 17 November 1917
  3. Josef Loeser: 4 December 1917
  4. Johann Hesselink: 4 April 1918[1]

Duty stations
  1. Hannover, Germany: 30 June 1917[1][3]
  2. Ensisheim: 2 August 1917
  3. Campoformido, Italy:
  4. San Giacomo, Italy
  5. Roveredo, Italy
  6. Cervada, Italy
  7. San Fior, Italy
  8. St. Loup, Champagne, France: March 1918
  9. Boncourt, France
  10. Guesnain, France
  11. Bapaume, France
  12. Rocourt-Saint-Martin, France
  13. Erre, France
  14. Bühl, France

Notable personnel

Operations

Jasta 39 opened combat operations in support of Armee-Abteilung B on 15 August 1917. On 15 September 1917, it was transferred to Italy, where it would score 41 aerial victories. The squadron would return to France in March 1918, and serve there until war's end.[1]

Aircraft

Jasta 39 operated Albatros D.III and Albatros D.V fighters while in Italy. It is not known what other aircraft were used.[1]

References
  1. Franks, Bailey & Guest (1993), p. 44.
  2. van Wyngarden, Greg (2011). Osprey Elite Aviation Units #40: Jasta 18 - The Red Noses. Oxford UK: Osprey Publishing. pp. 67–69. ISBN 978-1-84908-335-5.
  3. Pietsch, Thorsten (2011). "Jagdstaffel 39 (Jasta 39)". frontflieger.de (in German). Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  4. Franks, Bailey & Guest (1993), p. 138.
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.

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