| Jasta 46 | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1917–1918 |
| Country | German Empire |
| Branch | Luftstreitkräfte |
| Type | Fighter squadron |
| Engagements | World War I |
Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 46 was a "hunting group" (i.e., fighter squadron) of theLuftstreitkräfte, the air arm of theImperial German Army duringWorld War I. As one of the original German fighter squadrons, the unit would score 20 confirmed aerial victories over enemy observation balloons,[1] plus thirty more over enemy aircraft.[2] TheJasta paid a price of ten killed in action, one lost in a flying accident, six wounded in action, and three injured in accidents.[1][2]
Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 46 was formed at FEAGraudenz on 11 December 1917. It mobilized on Christmas Day, under command ofLeutnantRudolf Matthaei, brought in fromJasta 5 for that purpose. It scored its first aerial victory on 12 February 1918. After Matthaei's death, a new commander was imported fromJasta 39, only to bekilled in action. Leutnant Creutzmann was then assigned in fromJasta 43 and survived and served until war's end.[1]
The Jasta flew theAlbatros D.Va andPfalz D.IIIa, but theFokker D.VII[2] was the predominant aircraft used by the squadron.
After going operational on 25 December 1917, the Jasta became part ofJagdgruppe Nord[1] four days later.[2] JG Nord, founded in January 1918, also containedJasta 18 (beforeRudolf Berthold's departure) andJasta 57, and was tasked to6th Armee.[1]On 12 March 1918,[2] Jasta 46 transferred toJagdgruppe 2, joiningJasta 5 there. Jasta 46 would anchor JG 2 through war's end, even asJasta 37 joined theGruppe.[1]
The only known surviving aircraft from Jasta 46 in the 21st century appears to be the restoredAlbatros D.Va owned by the Smithsonian'sNational Air and Space Museum, noted as being from Jasta 46 due to the squadron's characteristic pine green and yellow diagonal striping on the rear fuselage and tail surfaces uncovered through restoration and vintage photos.[7]
