| Jasta 2 | |
|---|---|
 Jasta 2 Albatross D 1 391/16 (w/n 2944) of Karl Heinrich Büttner downed 16 November 1916 by Cpt. Parker and Lt. Hervey in a B.E.2c | |
| Active | 1916–1918 |
| Country | German Empire |
| Branch | Luftstreitkräfte |
| Type | Fighter squadron |
| Engagements | World War I |
Jasta 2 (Jagdstaffel Zwei in full and also known asJasta Boelcke) was one of the best-known GermanLuftstreitkräfte squadrons inWorld War I. Its first commanding officer was the great aerial tacticianOswald Boelcke, and it was the incubator of several notable aviation careers.
As one of the firstJastas, Jasta 2 had no parent unit and there was therefore no mass transfer of personnel from existingStaffeln. Assigned to theGerman1st Army, the unit was created with the intention thatHauptmannOswald Boelcke would be its leader. Jasta 2 was formed on 10 August 1916 atBertincourt, France. Boelcke was ordered to return from an inspection tour of south-eastern theatres of the War to take command and arrived back on theWestern Front later that month.[citation needed]
AfterMax Immelmann's death,Kaiser Wilhelm II had ordered Boelcke grounded for a month to avoid losing him in combat soon after Immelmann. He had become such an important hero to the German public, as well as such an authority on aerial warfare, that he could not be risked.[1][2] Given a choice between a desk job and a tour of the Middle East, Boelcke downed aNieuport overDouaumont on 27 June and reported to headquarters. Boelcke was detailed to share his expertise with the head of German military aviation. What had been known previously as theDeutsches Heer's Fliegertruppen des deutschen Kaiserreiches was being reorganized into theLuftstreitkräfte in mid-1916; this reorganization was inspired by Boelcke.[3] At this time, Boelcke codified hisDicta, promulgating axioms for individual pilot success, as well as a requirement for teamwork directed by a formation's leader. Boelcke also shared his views on creation of a fighter arm, and the organization of fighter squadrons.[2][4]
Boelcke was sent on a tour of the Balkans. He transitedAustria to visitTurkey. Upon his return swing, he visited Bulgaria and theRussian Front. Boelcke would be visiting Wilhelm inKovel when he received a telegram from the head of German aviation, Feldflugchef (Aviation Chief of Staff) OberstleutnantHermann von der Lieth-Thomsen, appointing him to raise, organize and command Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 2.[5] He was given permission to choose his own pilots to form a fighter squadron.[2][3] Among his first selections upon his return wereManfred von Richthofen,Erwin Böhme and Hans Reimann.[3]
Boelcke was appointed commander of Jasta 2 on 30 August 1916. The unit utilised the empty buildings vacated by FFA 32 in theVélu Woods.
The first aircraft arrived on 1 September; two Fokker DIIIs and an Albatros D.I. By 8 September there were eight pilots on strength, including Manfred von Richthofen, Erwin Böhme and Otto Höhne. Three days later, Böhme noted he was pushing for permission to use his castoffHalberstadt, since Boelcke had a Fokker; there seemed to be four airplanes in the squadron by then.[6] On 16 September, Boelcke's new squadron received five newAlbatros D.Is for the pilots, and an improvedAlbatros D.II for theStaffelführer.[7] Lt. Otto Höhne took his Albatros D.I out on a solo flight that same evening and became the first pilot to down an enemy aircraft with the new model, forcing down a British F.E.2b and capturing the pilot. Boelcke promptly put the new planes in the air on the first-ever fighter unit effort to gain local air superiority. At 1300 hours, 17 September, Boelcke and five of his pilots took off; they intercepted a British bombing raid onMarcoing Railway Station. While Boelcke held aside, his five younger pilots bounced a British formation of 14 planes, broke it up, and shot down two - one being Manfred von Richthofen's first victory, the other falling to Erwin Böhme. Boelcke himself added another.[8] That night, a German army tradition began and a new German air force custom was established when the enlisted men were invited into the Jasta's social center.[9]
Boelcke shot down tenRoyal Flying Corps planes in his first month with Jasta 2, September 1916. He would fly a solo mission in the morning and return to his "cubs" for afternoon training.[10] However, in contrast to his freebooting style, his pilots always flew in disciplined formations in practice, and he repeatedly drilled them in his tactics. He not only preached this doctrine to his own "cubs"; he proselytized throughout theLuftstreitkräfte. He wrote upon his ideas, sketched them out, and delivered them in person to other aerodromes. Thus, Jasta 2 became the birthplace of fighter aviation tactics.[11]
Boelcke was killed on 28 October 1916 when his Albatros D.II crashed after colliding with the Albatros D.I of Lt. Erwin Böhme during a dogfight with British aircraft. Oblt.Stefan Kirmaier, who had ten victories of his own, was appointed leadership in his place. Kirmaier's command was to be short-lived; on 22 November, he lost his life after a fight with fliers from No. 24 Squadron. Hpt.Franz Walz arrived from Jasta 29 a week later.
The unit's 100th claim was during February 1917, and the Jasta then moved toEswars on 14 March, before arriving atPronville soon after.
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Jasta 2 became part of the new Royal PrussianJagdgeschwader III in February 1918, under the command ofBruno Loerzer.[12]
Jagdstaffel 2 became the second-highest scoring fighter unit (behindJasta 11); it ended the war with 23 aces among its ex- and current members, a total of 336 victories and a casualty list of only 44; 31 killed, 9 wounded, 2 prisoners of war, and 2 killed in accidents.[12]
Jasta 2 markings were usually black and white tailplanes and elevators (top and bottom)—one side black, one side white.[12]
23 aces served with Jasta 2 at some time or other. Apart from theStaffelführern listed above, these include the following notables:
