Jagdstaffel 39

Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 39, commonly abbreviated to Jasta 39, was a World War I "hunting group" (i.e., fighter squadron) of the Luftstreitkräfte, which was the forerunner to the Luftwaffe. The unit would score 68 aerial victories during the war, including 14 observation balloons downed. The squadron's victories came at the expense of seven pilots killed in action, one killed in a flying accident, five wounded in action, and one taken prisoner of war.[1]

 

History
Jasta 39 was founded on 30 June 1917 at Fliegerersatz-Abteilung (Replacement Detachment) 15, Hannover, Germany. It held its first formation 2 August 1917, under its original commander, Karl August Raben.[1]  It would serve until war's end, when the Luftstreitkräfte was disbanded.

Commanding officers (Staffelführers)

 * Karl August Raben: 2 August 1917
 * Franz von Kerssenbrock: 17 November 1917
 * Josef Loeser: 4 December 1917
 * Johann Hesselink: 4 April 1918[1]

Duty stations

 * Hannover, Germany: 30 June 1917
 * Ensisheim: 2 August 1917
 * Italian Front: 15 September 1917
 * Western Front: March 1918[1]

Notable personnel

 * Bernhard Ultsch
 * Wilhelm Hippert
 * Ludwig Gaim[1]
 * Reinhold Jörke[2]

Operations
Jasta 39 opened combat operations in support of Armee-Abteilung B on 15 August 1917. On 15 September 1917, it was transferred to Italy, where it would score 41 aerial victories. The squadron would return to France in March 1918, and serve there until war's end.[1]

Aircraft
Jasta 39 operated Albatros D.III and Albatros D.V fighters while in Italy. It is not known what other aircraft were used.[1]

Endnotes

 * 1) ^ Jump up to: <sup style="line-height:1;font-size:12.6666669845581px;">a  b <sup style="line-height:1;font-size:12.6666669845581px;">c  <sup style="line-height:1;font-size:12.6666669845581px;">d  <sup style="line-height:1;font-size:12.6666669845581px;">e  <sup style="line-height:1;font-size:12.6666669845581px;">f  <sup style="line-height:1;font-size:12.6666669845581px;">g   Franks, Bailey Guest 1993, p. 44.
 * 2) <span class="cite-accessibility-label" style="top:-99999px;clip:rect(1px1px1px1px);overflow:hidden;-webkit-user-select:none;position:absolute!important;height:1px!important;width:1px!important;">Jump up ^  Franks et al 1993, p. 138.