Jagdstaffel 16

Jasta 16
Pfalz D.IIIa, Vizefeldwebel Max Holtzem, Jasta 16
The Pfalz D.IIIa of Vizefeldwebel Max Holtzem of Jasta 16
Active1916–1918
CountryGerman Empire
BranchLuftstreitkräfte
TypeFighter squadron
EngagementsWorld War I

Royal Bavarian Jagdstaffel 16 was a "hunting group" (i.e., fighter squadron) of the Luftstreitkräfte, the air arm of the Imperial German Army during World War I.

History

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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 Deßloch 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 aircraft.[1]

Commanding officers (Staffelführer)

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  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)

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  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[2]

Notable personnel

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Aircraft operated

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References

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  1. ^ a b Franks, Bailey & Guest (1993), p. 36.
  2. ^ a b c "Jasta 16". The Aerodrome. 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  3. ^ "Bavaria, Germany, WWI Personnel Rosters, 1914-1918". ancestry.com.
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.