# Jagdstaffel 13 > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Jagdstaffel_13 > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Jagdstaffel_13.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagdstaffel_13 > Source revision: 1349221958 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Jasta 13 Active 1916–1918 Country German Empire Branch Luftstreitkräfte Type Fighter squadron Engagements World War I Military unit **Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 13** was a World War I "hunting group" (i.e., fighter squadron) of the *[Luftstreitkräfte](/source/Luftstreitkr%C3%A4fte)*, the air arm of the [Imperial German Army](/source/Imperial_German_Army) during [World War I](/source/World_War_I). The unit would score 108 aerial victories during the war, at the expense of twelve killed in action, one killed in a flying accident, two wounded in action, and two taken prisoner of war.[1][2] ## History Jasta 13 was formed on 16 September 1916. Its founding personnel came from the Fokkerstaffel attached to FFA 9, and from other aviation units in the area of [*Armee-Abteilung* C](/source/Armee-Abteilung_C). They were operational by 15 October 1916.[1] However, Jasta 13 did not score its first victory until 22 January 1917.[2] In Spring 1917, the squadron was assigned to support of [7th Armee](/source/7th_Army_(German_Empire)).[1] By the end of August 1917, the unit had been credited with about ten victories.[3] In September, it joined [Jagdgruppe von Braun](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jagdgruppe_von_Braun&action=edit&redlink=1), along with [Jasta 14](/source/Jagdstaffel_14), [Jasta 16](/source/Jasta_16), [Jasta 21](/source/Jasta_21), [Jasta 22](/source/Jasta_22), [Jasta 23](/source/Jasta_23), [Jasta 32](/source/Jasta_32), and [Jasta 34](/source/Jasta_34).[1] Also in September, [Franz Buchner](/source/Franz_Buchner) reported for duty with his first aerial victory awaiting approval; his eventual destruction of 39 more opponents would be a major part of the squadron's victory tally. He would soon be joined by a prewar veteran aviator, [Hans Martin Pippart](/source/Hans_Martin_Pippart), who would also play a prominent role in the jasta. By the time Jasta 13 joined [Jagdgeschwader II](/source/Jagdgeschwader_II) on 2 February 1918, it had 22 victories to its credit.[3] After this extensive campaigning within France, including the [German spring offensive](/source/German_spring_offensive) 1918, the squadron became a sort of "fire brigade" on loan to various Armees and rotated frequently among airfields. It retreated with the German forces, eventually being stationed in Luxembourg, and finally back in Germany. They demobilized at FEA 14, [Halle-an-der-Saale](/source/Halle%2C_Saxony-Anhalt), Germany by the end of November 1918.[1] ## Commanding officers (*[Staffelführer](/source/Staffelf%C3%BChrer)*) 1. [Oberleutnant](/source/Oberleutnant) Erhard Egerer: ca 16 September 1916 – 26 December 1916 1. Eduard Dostler (later to be known as: [Eduard Ritter von Dostler](/source/Eduard_Ritter_von_Dostler)): 27 December 1916 – ca 19 February 1917 1. Leutnant de Reserves [Wolfgang Güttler](/source/Wolfgang_G%C3%BCttler): ca 20 February 1917 – 29 October 1917 [(KIA)](/source/Killed_in_action) 1. Oberleutnant Alex Thomas: 21 February 1918 – 1 May 1918 1. Leutnant de Reserves Wilhelm Schwartz: 1 May 1918 – 15 June 1918 ([WIA](/source/Wounded_in_action)) 1. Leutnant [Franz Büchner](/source/Franz_B%C3%BCchner): 15 June 1918 – 11 November 1918[1][2] ## Duty stations (airfields) 1. [Mars-la-Tour](/source/Mars-la-Tour), France 1. [La Selve, Aisne](/source/La_Selve%2C_Aisne), France 1. [Le Clos Ferme](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Le_Clos_Ferme&action=edit&redlink=1), Boncourt 1. [Marle, Aisne](/source/Marle%2C_Aisne), France 1. [Cambrai](/source/Cambrai), France 1. [Reneuil Ferme](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Reneuil_Ferme&action=edit&redlink=1): 13 February 1918 1. [Autremencourt](/source/Autremencourt), France 1. [Guise](/source/Guise), France 1. [Roupy](/source/Roupy), France 1. [Guisecourt](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Guisecourt&action=edit&redlink=1) 1. [Balâtre](/source/Bal%C3%A2tre), France 1. [Boneuil Ferme](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Boneuil_Ferme&action=edit&redlink=1) 1. [Le Mesnil, Nesle](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Le_Mesnil,_Nesle&action=edit&redlink=1) 1. [Mesnil-Bruntel](/source/Mesnil-Bruntel), France 1. [Leffincourt](/source/Leffincourt), France 1. [Chéry-lès-Pouilly](/source/Ch%C3%A9ry-l%C3%A8s-Pouilly), France 1. [Foreste](/source/Foreste), France 1. [Fontaine-Notre-Dame](/source/Fontaine-Notre-Dame%2C_Aisne), France[note 1] 1. [Neuflize](/source/Neuflize), France 1. [Tichémont](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tich%C3%A9mont&action=edit&redlink=1) 1. [Stenay](/source/Stenay), France 1. [Carignan, Ardennes](/source/Carignan%2C_Ardennes), France 1. [Florenville](/source/Florenville), Luxembourg 1. [Trier](/source/Trier), Germany[2] ## Personnel A number of notable aces flew with Jasta 13. Indeed, four of the *Staffelnführer* were renowned aces. Eduard Ritter von Dostler won a [Pour le Mérite](/source/Pour_le_M%C3%A9rite) and a knighthood; Guttler, Thomas, and Buchner were all decorated for their services. The squadron also contained other decorated aces who did not succeed to its command, in [Kurt Hetze](/source/Kurt_Hetze), [Reinhold Jörke](/source/Reinhold_J%C3%B6rke) and [balloon buster](/source/Balloon_buster) [Hans Martin Pippart](/source/Hans_Martin_Pippart). ## Aircraft The Fokker Dr.1 triplane of [Hans Martin Pippart](/source/Hans_Martin_Pippart). Early aircraft assigned to Jasta 13 are unknown, though its foundation from a Fokkerstaffel strongly hint of [Fokker Eindekkers](/source/Fokker_Eindekker). It later operated the [Fokker Dr.I](/source/Fokker_Dr.I) triplane, and ended the war using mostly [Fokker D.VIIs](/source/Fokker_D.VII).[2] Jasta 13 joined [Jagdgeschwader II](/source/Jagdgeschwader_II) in February 1918. Identifiable by serial number or pilot insignia, these are some of the aircraft known to have served with the squadron: - One [Albatros D.V](/source/Albatros_D.V) - Three Fokker Dr.Is - Four Fokker D.VIIs[4] ## Operations In Spring 1917, the squadron was assigned to support of [7th Armee](/source/7th_Army_(German_Empire)). In September, it joined [Jagdgruppe von Braun](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jagdgruppe_von_Braun&action=edit&redlink=1), along with [Jasta 14](/source/Jagdstaffel_14), [Jasta 16](/source/Jasta_16), [Jasta 21](/source/Jasta_21), [Jasta 22](/source/Jasta_22), [Jasta 23](/source/Jasta_23), [Jasta 32](/source/Jasta_32), and [Jasta 34](/source/Jasta_34).[1] In February 1918, it was assigned to [Jagdgruppe II](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jagdgruppe_2&action=edit&redlink=1) at Marle, along with [Jasta 12](/source/Jasta_12), [Jasta 15](/source/Jasta_15), and [Jasta 19](/source/Jasta_19). When the German March offensive began, Jasta 13 was shifted to [18th Armee](/source/18th_Army_(German_Empire)), and lived an itinerant existence, being moved among various airfields. By June, it had been assigned to [1st Armee](/source/1st_Army_(German_Empire)) at Mesnil. The squadron then became an itinerant unit, supporting at various times [2nd Armee](/source/2nd_Army_(German_Empire)), [3rd Armee](/source/3rd_Army_(German_Empire)), 1st Armee again, and [5th Armee](/source/5th_Army_(German_Empire)). The squadron moved to its last base at Trier the day before the armistice.[1] ## Footnotes 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Source (Jagdgeschwader Nr II: Geschwader Berthold) speaks of the "Fonfomme-Fontaine-Notre Dame road". It is likely this is an error, and [Fonsommes](/source/Fonsommes) is meant, next to [Fontaine-Notre-Dame](/source/Fontaine-Notre-Dame%2C_Aisne) in the Aisne. ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFranksBaileyGuest199335_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFranksBaileyGuest199335_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFranksBaileyGuest199335_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFranksBaileyGuest199335_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFranksBaileyGuest199335_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFranksBaileyGuest199335_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFranksBaileyGuest199335_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFranksBaileyGuest199335_1-7) [Franks, Bailey & Guest (1993)](#CITEREFFranksBaileyGuest1993), p. 35. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-theaerodrome_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-theaerodrome_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-theaerodrome_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-theaerodrome_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-theaerodrome_2-4) ["Jasta 13"](http://www.theaerodrome.com/services/germany/jasta/jasta13.php). *The Aerodrome*. 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEVanWyngarden200510–11_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEVanWyngarden200510–11_3-1) [VanWyngarden (2005)](#CITEREFVanWyngarden2005), pp. 10–11. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEVanWyngarden2005122–126_5-0)** [VanWyngarden (2005)](#CITEREFVanWyngarden2005), pp. 122–126. **Bibliography** - [Franks, Norman](/source/Norman_Franks); 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](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-948817-73-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-948817-73-1). - VanWyngarden, Greg (2005). *Jagdgeschwader Nr II*. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-84176-727-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-84176-727-7). v t e Jastas of the Imperial German Army Air Service Prussian 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 25 26 27 29 30 31 33 36 37 38 39 41 42 43 45 46 48 49 50 51 52 53 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 73 74 75 81 82 83 85 86 87 88 89 90 Bavarian 16 23 32 34 35 76 77 78 79 80 Saxon 21 22 24 40 44 54 72 Württembergian 28 47 64 84 v t e Aviation in World War I People and aircraft Commanders Aces (accuracy) Aircraft of the Entente Powers Aircraft of the Central Powers Zeppelins Campaigns and battles Strategic bombing German Cuxhaven Bombing of cities Aerial reconnaissance Fokker Scourge Zonguldak Istanbul Flight over Vienna Bloody April Battles Entente Powers air services Belgian Air Component British air services Royal Flying Corps Royal Naval Air Service Royal Air Force Australian Flying Corps Canadian Air Force (1918–1920) French Air Service Imperial Russian Air Service Royal Italian Air Corps Romanian Air Corps Serbian Air Force United States Army Air Service Greek air services Army Air Service Naval Air Service Japanese air services Imperial Japanese Army Air Service Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service Central Powers air services Imperial German Air Service Austro-Hungarian Imperial and Royal Aviation Troops Ottoman Aviation Squadrons Bulgarian Army Aeroplane Section --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jagdstaffel 13](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagdstaffel_13) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagdstaffel_13?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.