Jagdstaffel 16

Pfalz D.IIIa, Vizefeldwebel Max Holtzem, Jasta 16

Royal Bavarian Jagdstaffel 16 was a "hunting group" (i.e., fighter squadron) of the Luftstreitkräfte, which was the World War I forerunner to the Nazi Luftwaffe.

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 Doosloch 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 airplanes.[1]

Staffelführers

1 Paul Kremer: 1 November 1916 - 8 July 1917

2 Heinrich Geigl: 18 July 1917 - 20 August 1917

3 Robert Dycke: 20 August 1917 - 1 December 1917

4 Heinrich Geigl: 1 December 1917 - 4 April 1918

5 Friedrich Ritter von Röth: 8 April 1918 - 9 September 1918

6 Rudolf Eck: 9 September 1918 - October 1918

7 Friedrich Ritter von Röth: October 1918 - 11 November 1918[2]

8 Albert Wilhelm Ferdinand Gröner, 1 November 1916 - 20 July 1917 [3]

Duty stations (airfields)

1 Ensisheim: 16 October 1916 - 13 April 1917

2 Habsheim: 13 April 1917 - 6 May 1917

3 Château-Porcien: 7 May 1917 - 4 June 1917

4 Spincourt: 6 June 1917 - 20 October 1917

5 Erlon: 21 October 1917 - 23 November 1917

6 Mercy-le-Haute: 24 November 1917 - 4 February 1918

7 Aertrycke: 7 February 1918 - 14 March 1918

8 Le Cateau: 15 March 1918 - 20 March 1918

9 Foucaucourt: 21 March 1918 - 6 April 1918

10 St. Marguerite: 13 April 1918 - October 1918

11 Scheldewindeke: October 1918 - 11 November 1918[4]

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[6]

References

  1. ↑ Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914-1918. p. 36.
  2. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/services/germany/jasta/jasta16.php Retrieved on 21 May 2010.
  3. ↑ Bavaria, Germany, WWI Personnel Rosters,1914-1918. http://search.ancestry.com/iexec?htx=view&r=an&dbid=1631&iid=31421_BH18004-00038&fn=Ferdinand+Wilhelm+Albert&ln=Gr%C3%B6ner&st=r&ssrc=&pid=4091003
  4. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/services/germany/jasta/jasta16.php Retrieved on 21 May 2010.
  5. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/services/germany/jasta/jasta16.php Retrieved on 21 May 2010.
  6. ↑ Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914-1918. p. 36.

Bibliography

Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914-1918. Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1993. ISBN 0-948817-73-9, ISBN 978-0-948817-73-1.