Jasta 8
Encyclopedia
Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 8 was a fighter squadron in Germany's World War I air service, the Luftstreitkräfte
. Although the jasta went out of existence along with its parent units shortly after the Armistice
ending World War I, its experiences would strongly influence the subsequent Luftwaffe
.
for the formation of the new unit on 10 September 1916. The squadron served beyond the Armistice, not disbanding until 3 December 1918. It passed into history at FEA 11, Breslau-Gandau. During its 27 month existence, the squadron scored at least 91 confirmed victories. In turn, it had paid the cost of four pilots killed in action, one killed in a flying accident, and eight wounded in action (two multiply).
Staffelführer
1. Gustav Stenzel: 23 September 1916 - KIA
28 July 1917
2. Konrad Mettlich (Acting): 28 July 1917 - 9 August 1917
3. Constantin von Bentheim: 9 August 1917 - 1 April 1918
4. Werner Junck
: 1 April 1918 - WIA
6 July 1918
5. Joachim de la Camp: 6 July 1918 - 12 August 1918
6. Werner Junck: 12 August 1918 - 11 November 1918
, Belgium: 12 September 1916 - 30 September 1917
2. Jabbeke-Brügge: 30 September 1917 - 19 November 1917
3. Neuvilly
, Le Cateau, France: 20 November 1917 - 14 December 1917
4. Wassigny
, France: 15 December 1917 - 21 March 1918
5. Bohain-en-Vermandois
, France: 21 March 1918 - 24 March 1918
6. Beauvois, France: 24 March 1918 - 27 March 1918
7. Balâtre-Roye: 27 March 1918 - 5 July 1918
8. St. Rémy, France: 6 July 1918 - 14 September 1918
9. Mercy-le-Haute: 15 September 1918 - 11 November 1918
who went on to be a Luftwaffe Generalmajor, Werner Junck
. Among its seven other aces were four other notable ones,
Walter Göttsch
,
Rudolf Francke
,
Wilhelm Seitz
, and Rudolf Wendelmuth
.
s, which were introduced in 1917.
Squadron operations aren't any better known for the squadron's first year, except it was based at Rumbeke, Belgium. During the Summer of 1917, Jasta 8 became part of Jagdgruppe 15--aka Jagdgruppe Nord. Jasta 8 suffered a stutter in leadership during this summer; on 28 July, Staffelführer Gustav Stenzel was killed in action. Oberleutnant Konrad Mettlich assumed command until Constantin von Bentheim arrived on 9 August. The jasta moved from Rumbeke to Jabbeke-Brügge on 30 September 1917, shifting to support of 4 Armee. In early December, it also became part of Jagdgruppe "Etreux", an ad hoc unit consisting of the jasta and Jasta 35; the jagdgruppe was commanded by Constantin von Bentheim. On 14 December, the jasta moved again, to Neuvilly, and to support of the 2 Armee. It moved once more that year, on 15 December, and began a three month stay at Wassigny.
When the Germans launched their Spring Offensive
in March 1918, the jasta uprooted three times, operating on the front of the 18 Armee. After three day stays at both Bohain and Beauvois, it settled into Balâtre-Roye on 27 March 1918 for a hundred day occupation. At some time in March, Jasta 8 was also incorporated into Jagdgruppe 1. The jasta acquired a new commanding officer on 4 April 1918 in future Generalmajor Werner Junck; their previous Staffelführer, Constantin von Bentheim, had been appointed to command of JGr 15 three days previously. As part of JGr 1, Jasta 8 supported, successively, 1 Armee and 5 Armee. On 6 July, it moved to St. Rémy, and on 15 September settled at Mercy-le-Haute. It ended the war there.
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...
. Although the jasta went out of existence along with its parent units shortly after the Armistice
Armistice
An armistice is a situation in a war where the warring parties agree to stop fighting. It is not necessarily the end of a war, but may be just a cessation of hostilities while an attempt is made to negotiate a lasting peace...
ending World War I, its experiences would strongly influence the subsequent 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....
.
History
The basis of Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 8 was a small element of single-seat fighters attached to Feldflieger Abteilung 6 at Roulers Aerodrome. It was transferred to 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...
for the formation of the new unit on 10 September 1916. The squadron served beyond the Armistice, not disbanding until 3 December 1918. It passed into history at FEA 11, Breslau-Gandau. During its 27 month existence, the squadron scored at least 91 confirmed victories. In turn, it had paid the cost of four pilots killed in action, one killed in a flying accident, and eight wounded in action (two multiply).
StaffelführerStaffelführerStaffelführer was one of the first paramilitary ranks used by the German Schutzstaffel in the early years of that group’s existence...
s
1. Gustav Stenzel: 23 September 1916 - KIAKilled 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...
28 July 1917
2. Konrad Mettlich (Acting): 28 July 1917 - 9 August 1917
3. Constantin von Bentheim: 9 August 1917 - 1 April 1918
4. Werner Junck
Werner Junck
Werner Junck was a German World War II Luftwaffe Generalleutnant and the one time commander of Fliegerführer Irak...
: 1 April 1918 - WIA
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....
6 July 1918
5. Joachim de la Camp: 6 July 1918 - 12 August 1918
6. Werner Junck: 12 August 1918 - 11 November 1918
Duty stations (airfields)
1. RumbekeRumbeke
Rumbeke is a town in the Belgian municipality of Roeselare in the province of West Flanders. It is most known as the location of Rumbeke Castle....
, Belgium: 12 September 1916 - 30 September 1917
2. Jabbeke-Brügge: 30 September 1917 - 19 November 1917
3. Neuvilly
Neuvilly
Neuvilly is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.-Heraldry:-References:*...
, Le Cateau, France: 20 November 1917 - 14 December 1917
4. Wassigny
Wassigny
Wassigny is a commune in the Aisne department in Picardy in northern France.-Population:...
, France: 15 December 1917 - 21 March 1918
5. Bohain-en-Vermandois
Bohain-en-Vermandois
Bohain-en-Vermandois is a commune in the department of Aisne in Picardy in northern France.It is the place where the painter Henri Matisse grew up.-History:...
, France: 21 March 1918 - 24 March 1918
6. Beauvois, France: 24 March 1918 - 27 March 1918
7. Balâtre-Roye: 27 March 1918 - 5 July 1918
8. St. Rémy, France: 6 July 1918 - 14 September 1918
9. Mercy-le-Haute: 15 September 1918 - 11 November 1918
Personnel
The jasta was a formative experience for a young aceFlying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
who went on to be a Luftwaffe Generalmajor, Werner Junck
Werner Junck
Werner Junck was a German World War II Luftwaffe Generalleutnant and the one time commander of Fliegerführer Irak...
. Among its seven other aces were four other notable ones,
Walter Göttsch
Walter Göttsch
Leutnant Walter Göttsch was a German World War I flying ace credited with 20 aerial victories.-Early service:Walter Göttsch volunteered for the German army on 1 July 1915...
,
Rudolf Francke
Rudolf Francke
Lieutenant Rudolf Francke was a World War I flying ace credited with 15 aerial victories.He scored all his victories while with Royal Prussian Jagstaffel 8. His first win was on 3 June 1917; by 9 November of that year, his total stood at eight. After a five month lapse, he scored again on 1 April...
,
Wilhelm Seitz
Wilhelm Seitz
Leutnant Wilhelm Anton Seitz was a World War I flying ace credited with 16 aerial victories. He scored those victories over a two year span, beginning on 17 November 1916 and ending on 4 November 1918.-Reference:...
, and Rudolf Wendelmuth
Rudolf Wendelmuth
Leutnant Rudolf Wendelmuth was a World War I flying ace credited with 14 aerial victories.At break of war, Wendelmuth was posted to the 233rd Reserve Infantry Regiment. He transferred to aviation on 1 March 1915, reporting to FEA 3 in his home town of Gotha for training. His first assignment was to...
.
Aircraft and operations
Details of aircraft assigned are sketchy; the only type they are known to have operated were Albatros D.VAlbatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
s, which were introduced in 1917.
Squadron operations aren't any better known for the squadron's first year, except it was based at Rumbeke, Belgium. During the Summer of 1917, Jasta 8 became part of Jagdgruppe 15--aka Jagdgruppe Nord. Jasta 8 suffered a stutter in leadership during this summer; on 28 July, Staffelführer Gustav Stenzel was killed in action. Oberleutnant Konrad Mettlich assumed command until Constantin von Bentheim arrived on 9 August. The jasta moved from Rumbeke to Jabbeke-Brügge on 30 September 1917, shifting to support of 4 Armee. In early December, it also became part of Jagdgruppe "Etreux", an ad hoc unit consisting of the jasta and Jasta 35; the jagdgruppe was commanded by Constantin von Bentheim. On 14 December, the jasta moved again, to Neuvilly, and to support of the 2 Armee. It moved once more that year, on 15 December, and began a three month stay at Wassigny.
When the Germans launched their Spring Offensive
Spring Offensive
The 1918 Spring Offensive or Kaiserschlacht , also known as the Ludendorff Offensive, was a series of German attacks along the Western Front during World War I, beginning on 21 March 1918, which marked the deepest advances by either side since 1914...
in March 1918, the jasta uprooted three times, operating on the front of the 18 Armee. After three day stays at both Bohain and Beauvois, it settled into Balâtre-Roye on 27 March 1918 for a hundred day occupation. At some time in March, Jasta 8 was also incorporated into Jagdgruppe 1. The jasta acquired a new commanding officer on 4 April 1918 in future Generalmajor Werner Junck; their previous Staffelführer, Constantin von Bentheim, had been appointed to command of JGr 15 three days previously. As part of JGr 1, Jasta 8 supported, successively, 1 Armee and 5 Armee. On 6 July, it moved to St. Rémy, and on 15 September settled at Mercy-le-Haute. It ended the war there.