Jagdgeschwader 1 (World War 1)

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Jagdgeschwader 1 (JG 1) was formed in the World War I, and was a composite fighter group made up of four Jastas or 'squadrons' on June 24, 1917 with Baron Manfred von Richtofen as commander. JG 1 became known as the Flying Circus because the fighter planes were painted in bright and distinctive color schemes for easy identification during dogfights. Like a circus JG 1 and its supporting logistical infrastructure travelled by train to whatever part of the front-line they were needed, often at short notice.

After von Richthofen's death in April 1918, Oberleutnant Wilhelm Reinhardt became JG 1 Commanding Officer. After Reinhardt's death Oblt Hermann Göring became JG 1's third and last Commander of the war.

From June 1917 until November 1918, JG 1 claimed 644 Allied aircraft destroyed while losing 52 pilots killed.