Jagdstaffel 28
Encyclopedia
Royal Württemburg Jagdstaffel 28 was a World War I "hunting group" (i.e., fighter squadron) of the Luftstreitkräfte
, which was the forerunner to the Luftwaffe
. As one of the original German fighter squadrons, the unit would score 100 verified aerial victories. The jasta would pay a blood price for its success: nine pilots killed in action
, three wounded in action
, one injured in a collision, and one prisoner of war
.
. Oberleutnant Lang from Jasta 11
was assigned to command it. After Leutnant Lang's reassignment, the squadron would have three commanders killed in combat within four months. Leutnant Emil Thuy
then took over, and helmed the squadron throughout war's end.
Staffelführer
1 Oberleutnant
Rudolf Lang: appointed from Jasta 11
on 20 January 1917; transferred out 27 April 1917
2 Leutnant Karl Schäfer
: transferred in from Jasta 11 on 27 April 1917; KIA
5 June 1917
3 Hauptmann
Otto Hartmann
: transferred in from Jasta 18 on 8 June 1917; KIA 3 September 1917
4 Oberleutnant Werner Jahns: assigned on 6 September 1917; KIA 24 September 1917
5 Leutnant Emil Thuy: transferred in from Jasta 21 on 26 September 1917; war ended on 11 November 1918
: 14 December 1916 - 23 January 1917
2 Marcke, Belgium (near Courtrai/kortrijk): 24 January 1917 - 25 March 1917
3 Wasquehal
: 26 March 1917 - 26 August 1917
4 Varsenare
, Belgium: 27 August 1917 - 13 November 1917
5 Jabbeke
, Belgium: 13 November 1917 - 25 November 1917
6 Wynghene: 25 November 1917 - 7 December 1917
7 Varsenare, Belgium: 7 December 1917 - 5 February 1918
8 Wynghene: 5 February 1918 - 1 March 1918
9 Iseghem: 1 March 1918 - 21 March 1918
10 Abeele, Belgium: 21 March 1918 - 29 March 1918
11 Iseghem: 29 March 1918 - 5 June 1918
12 Ennemain
, France: 6 June 1918 - 7 July 1918
13 Neuflize
, France: 8 July 1918 - 10 August 1918
14 Mons-en-Chaussée: 11 August 1918 - 12 August 1918
15 Neuflize: 13 August 1918 - 24 August 1918
16 Cantin
, France: 25 August 1918 - 30 September 1918
17 Beuvry
, France: 1 October 1918 - 12 October 1918
18 Chièvres
, Belgium: 13 October 1918 - 3 November 1918
19 Champles, Waterloo: 4 November 1918 - 11 November 1918
, Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Iron Cross
transferred into the commander's slot with 23 victories, and scored seven more with the squadron before his death.
Max von Müller's maiden victory for his new squadron was followed by 23 more, including three over British aces, before he transferred to command of Jasta 2
; he would end the war with the Pour le Merite, Iron Cross, and Military Order of Max Joseph
.
Karl Bolle
became an ace early on with the squadron, before moving on to Jasta 2, the Blue Max
, Hohenzollern, and Iron Cross.
Ernst Hess
had scored one of the earlier aerial victories in history to start his string on 5 January 1916; he scored a dozen times with Jasta 28, and had earned the Hohenzollern and Iron Cross before his death in action.
Karl Christ
, who scored the jasta's final victory, earned an Iron Cross and went on to serve in the World War II Luftwaffe.
August Hanko
won a Military Merit Cross
as an enlisted man, was commissioned, and went on to command Jasta 64.
Otto Hartmann
's short reign in the squadron brought this old soldier acedom and an Iron Cross.
Emil Thuy
transferred in from Jasta 21 and headed Jasta 28 for the last 13 of the 20 months it existed; he ended the war with the Pour le Merite, Hohenzollern, and Iron Cross.
. It ended the war in this assignment.
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...
, which was the forerunner to the Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
. As one of the original German fighter squadrons, the unit would score 100 verified aerial victories. The jasta would pay a blood price for its success: nine pilots killed in action
Killed in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
, three wounded in action
Wounded in action
Wounded in action describes soldiers who have been wounded while fighting in a combat zone during war time, but have not been killed. Typically it implies that they are temporarily or permanently incapable of bearing arms or continuing to fight....
, one injured in a collision, and one prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
.
History
Royal Württemburg Jagdstaffel 28 was founded on 14 December 1916 at FEA 10 at BöblingenBöblingen
Böblingen is a town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, seat of Böblingen District. Physically Sindelfingen and Böblingen are continuous.-History:Böblingen was founded by Count Wilhelm von Tübingen-Böblingen in 1253. Württemberg acquired the town in 1357, and on 12 May 1525 one of the bloodiest battles...
. Oberleutnant Lang from 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"...
was assigned to command it. After Leutnant Lang's reassignment, the squadron would have three commanders killed in combat within four months. Leutnant Emil Thuy
Emil Thuy
Emil Thuy , Pour le Merite, Württemberg's Order of Military Merit, House Order of Hohenzollern, Iron Cross First and Second Class, was one of the leading German fighter aces of World War I, with 35 victories...
then took over, and helmed the squadron throughout war's end.
StaffelführerStaffelführerStaffelführer was one of the first paramilitary ranks used by the German Schutzstaffel in the early years of that group’s existence...
s (Commanding officers)
1 OberleutnantOberleutnant
Oberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty...
Rudolf Lang: appointed from 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"...
on 20 January 1917; transferred out 27 April 1917
2 Leutnant Karl Schäfer
Karl Schäfer
Karl Schäfer was an Austrian figure skater and swimmer. In figure skating, he was a dual Olympic Champion at the 1932 Winter Olympics and the 1936 Winter Olympics, a seven-time World Champion and the eight-time European Champion...
: transferred in from Jasta 11 on 27 April 1917; KIA
Killed in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
5 June 1917
3 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...
Otto Hartmann
Otto Hartmann
Hauptmann Otto Hartman was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.-Reference:...
: transferred in from Jasta 18 on 8 June 1917; KIA 3 September 1917
4 Oberleutnant Werner Jahns: assigned on 6 September 1917; KIA 24 September 1917
5 Leutnant Emil Thuy: transferred in from Jasta 21 on 26 September 1917; war ended on 11 November 1918
Aerodromes
1 Böblingen, Kingdom of WürttembergKingdom of Württemberg
The Kingdom of Württemberg was a state that existed from 1806 to 1918, located in present-day Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It was a continuation of the Duchy of Württemberg, which came into existence in 1495...
: 14 December 1916 - 23 January 1917
2 Marcke, Belgium (near Courtrai/kortrijk): 24 January 1917 - 25 March 1917
3 Wasquehal
Wasquehal
Wasquehal is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.The town originally had a Flemish name; it was written as Waskenhal in the 11th century.The third stage of the 2004 Tour de France finished in Wasquehal...
: 26 March 1917 - 26 August 1917
4 Varsenare
Varsenare
-External links:*...
, Belgium: 27 August 1917 - 13 November 1917
5 Jabbeke
Jabbeke
Jabbeke is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Jabbeke proper, Snellegem, Stalhille, Varsenare and Zerkegem. On 1 January 2006 the municipality had 13,572 inhabitants...
, Belgium: 13 November 1917 - 25 November 1917
6 Wynghene: 25 November 1917 - 7 December 1917
7 Varsenare, Belgium: 7 December 1917 - 5 February 1918
8 Wynghene: 5 February 1918 - 1 March 1918
9 Iseghem: 1 March 1918 - 21 March 1918
10 Abeele, Belgium: 21 March 1918 - 29 March 1918
11 Iseghem: 29 March 1918 - 5 June 1918
12 Ennemain
Ennemain
Ennemain is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:Ennemain is situated on the D103 and D145 crossroads, from the banks of the river Somme, some west of Saint-Quentin.-Population:-External links:*...
, France: 6 June 1918 - 7 July 1918
13 Neuflize
Neuflize
Neuflize is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-External links:* * * *...
, France: 8 July 1918 - 10 August 1918
14 Mons-en-Chaussée: 11 August 1918 - 12 August 1918
15 Neuflize: 13 August 1918 - 24 August 1918
16 Cantin
Cantin
Cantin is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.It is southeast of Douai.-Heraldry:-References:*...
, France: 25 August 1918 - 30 September 1918
17 Beuvry
Beuvry
Beuvry is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:A suburban town immediately southwest of Béthune, southwest of Lille, at the junction of the D945, D72 and N41 roads...
, France: 1 October 1918 - 12 October 1918
18 Chièvres
Chièvres
Chièvres is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut. On January 1, 2006 Chièvres had a total population of 6,198. The total area is 46.91 km² which gives a population density of 132 inhabitants per km²....
, Belgium: 13 October 1918 - 3 November 1918
19 Champles, Waterloo: 4 November 1918 - 11 November 1918
Notable members
Karl Schäfer Pour le MeritePour le Mérite
The Pour le Mérite, known informally as the Blue Max , was the Kingdom of Prussia's highest military order for German soldiers until the end of World War I....
, Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Iron Cross
Iron Cross
The Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
transferred into the commander's slot with 23 victories, and scored seven more with the squadron before his death.
Max von Müller's maiden victory for his new squadron was followed by 23 more, including three over British aces, before he transferred to command of Jasta 2
Jasta 2
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.-Formation:...
; he would end the war with the Pour le Merite, Iron Cross, and Military Order of Max Joseph
Military Order of Max Joseph
The Military Order of Max Joseph was the highest purely military order of the Kingdom of Bavaria. It was founded on 1 January 1806 by Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria, the first king of Bavaria...
.
Karl Bolle
Karl Bolle
Rittmeister 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...
became an ace early on with the squadron, before moving on to Jasta 2, the Blue Max
Pour le Mérite
The Pour le Mérite, known informally as the Blue Max , was the Kingdom of Prussia's highest military order for German soldiers until the end of World War I....
, Hohenzollern, and Iron Cross.
Ernst Hess
Ernst Hess
Leutnant Ernst Hess was a World War I flying ace credited with 17 confirmed and four unconfirmed aerial victories.He scored a victory for KEK Douai on 5 January 1916 in conjunction with Oswald Boelcke, and another for Fokkerstaffel C on 22 June 1916, but did not hit his stride until assigned to...
had scored one of the earlier aerial victories in history to start his string on 5 January 1916; he scored a dozen times with Jasta 28, and had earned the Hohenzollern and Iron Cross before his death in action.
Karl Christ
Karl Christ
Leutnant Karl Christ was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-Awards:*Iron Cross 2nd and 1st Class*Hessische Tapferkeits-Medaille...
, who scored the jasta's final victory, earned an Iron Cross and went on to serve in the World War II Luftwaffe.
August Hanko
August Hanko
Leutnant August Hanko was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-References:...
won a Military Merit Cross
Military Merit Cross (Prussia)
The Military Merit Cross was the highest bravery award of the Kingdom of Prussia for non-commissioned officers and enlisted soldiers. It was also known as the Golden Military Merit Cross to distinguish it from the Military Decoration 1st Class The Military Merit Cross (Militär-Verdienstkreuz)...
as an enlisted man, was commissioned, and went on to command Jasta 64.
Otto Hartmann
Otto Hartmann
Hauptmann Otto Hartman was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.-Reference:...
's short reign in the squadron brought this old soldier acedom and an Iron Cross.
Emil Thuy
Emil Thuy
Emil Thuy , Pour le Merite, Württemberg's Order of Military Merit, House Order of Hohenzollern, Iron Cross First and Second Class, was one of the leading German fighter aces of World War I, with 35 victories...
transferred in from Jasta 21 and headed Jasta 28 for the last 13 of the 20 months it existed; he ended the war with the Pour le Merite, Hohenzollern, and Iron Cross.
Operations
Jasta 28 began its battle career on the 4th Armee front at Marcke on 24 January 1917. It moved to support of 6th Armee on 26 March 1917. The new squadron flew its first combat patrol on 2 April; its first win came five days later. On 27 August, Jasta 28 moved to Varssenaere, and back to support of 4th Armee. They would remain there until 6 June 1918, when they moved to Ennemain and support of 2nd Armee. A month later, on 8 July, they were off to Neuflize, and support of 1st Armee. On 25 August, the jasta moved to Cantin to support the 17th Armee17th Army (Germany)
The German Seventeenth Army was a World War II field army.-Commanding officers:* General der Infanterie Carl-Heinrich von Stülpnagel * Generaloberst Hermann Hoth...
. It ended the war in this assignment.