{{Infobox military unit |unit_name= Jasta 19 | image= DRI neu.jpg | image_size = 250 |caption=Fokker Dr. I of Leutnant Pippart, Jasta 19. |dates=1916–1918 |country= [[German Empire]] |allegiance= |branch=[[Luftstreitkräfte]] |type=Fighter squadron |role= |size= |command_structure=Jagdgeschwader II |garrison= |garrison_label= |nickname= |patron= |motto= |colors= |colors_label= |march= |mascot= |equipment= |equipment_label= |battles= [[World War I]] |anniversaries= |decorations= |battle_honours= |battle_honours_label= |disbanded= |flying_hours= |website= <!-- Commanders --> |commander1= |commander1_label= |commander2= |commander2_label= |commander3= |commander3_label= |commander4= |commander4_label= |notable_commanders= <!-- Insignia --> |identification_symbol= |identification_symbol_label= |identification_symbol_2= |identification_symbol_2_label= |identification_symbol_3= |identification_symbol_3_label= |identification_symbol_4= |identification_symbol_4_label= <!-- Aircraft --> |aircraft_attack= |aircraft_bomber= |aircraft_electronic= |aircraft_fighter= |aircraft_helicopter= |aircraft_helicopter_attack= |aircraft_helicopter_cargo= |aircraft_helicopter_multirole= |aircraft_helicopter_observation= |aircraft_helicopter_transport= |aircraft_helicopter_trainer= |aircraft_helicopter_utility= |aircraft_interceptor= |aircraft_patrol= |aircraft_recon= |aircraft_trainer= |aircraft_transport= }}

'''Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 19''' was a World War I "hunting group" (i.e., fighter squadron) of the ''[[Luftstreitkräfte]]'', the air arm of the [[Imperial German Army]] during [[World War I]]. As one of the original German fighter squadrons, the unit would score 92 verified aerial victories, including ten wins over enemy observation balloons.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=38}}

In turn, their casualties for the war would amount to eleven pilots [[killed in action]], four [[wounded in action]], and one taken [[prisoner of war]].{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=38}}

==History== Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 19 was founded on 25 October 1916. As the unit was not equipped until December, when it received [[Albatros D.II]]s, it flew its first combat patrols only five days before Christmas, 1916.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=37}} The new Jasta drew first blood on 6 April 1917, credit being given to Leutnant [[Walter Böning]].{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=37}} The jasta achieved little over the next few months. By the end of 1917, it had 30 victories to its credit.{{sfnp|VanWyngarden|2005|pp=13&ndash;16}}

On 2 February 1918, Jasta 19 was detailed into [[Jagdgeschwader II]] along with [[Jasta 12]], [[Jasta 13]], and [[Jasta 15]].{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=37}} Plagued by equipment problems in their new [[Siemens-Schuckert D.III]]s and wornout [[Fokker Dr.1]]s, on 26 May 1918 it found itself temporarily grounded due to lack of operational aircraft.{{sfnp|VanWyngarden|2005|p=44}}

==Commanding officers (''[[Staffelführer]]'')== # Obltn [[Franz Walz]]: 25 October 1916 – 28 November 1916 # Obltn [[Erich Hahn]]: transferred in from [[Jasta 1]] on 28 November 1916 – 4 September 1917{{KIA2}} # Eichorn (Acting) – September 1917 # [[Ernst Hess]]: transferred in from [[Jasta 28]] in September 1917 – 23 December 1917{{KIA2}} # Ltn d R Gerlt (Acting): 23 December 1917 – 2 February 1918 # Ltn Konrad von Bülow-Bothkamp: transferred in from [[Jagdstaffel 14|Jasta 14]] on 2 February 1918 – 14 February 1918 # Ltn d R [[Walter Göttsch]]: 14 February 1918 – 10 April 1918{{KIA2}} # Ltn d R [[Arthur Rahn]] (Acting): 10 April 1918 – 18 April 1918 # Ltn d L [[Hans Martin Pippart]]: transferred in from [[Jasta 13]] on 18 April 1918 – 20 May 1918 # Ltn d R Gerlt (Acting): 20 May 1918 – 11 June 1918 # Ltn d L Hans Pippart: 11 June 1918 – 11 August 1918{{KIA2}} # Ltn d R Gerlt (Acting): 11 August 1918 – 12 August 1918 # Ltn d R [[Ulrich Neckel]]: transferred in from [[Jasta 2]] on 12 August 1918 – transferred out on 1 September 1918 # Ltn [[Olivier Freiherr von Beaulieu-Marconnay]]: transferred in from [[Jasta 15]] on 1 September 1918 – 18 October 1918{{WIA}} # Ltn d R Wilhelm Leusch (Acting): 18 October 1918 – 26 October 1918 # Ltn d R Wilhelm Leusch: 26 October 1918 – 11 November 1918<ref name="theaerodrome">{{cite web |url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/services/germany/jasta/jasta19.php |title=Jasta 19 |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref>

==Aerodromes== # [[Lagnicourt]]: 4 December 1916 – 11 December 1916 # [[Saarburg]], Germany: 11 December 1916 – 19 March 1917 # [[Lothringen]]: 11 December 1916 – 19 March 1917{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=37}} # [[Le Thour]], France: 19 March 1917 – Unknown date # [[Saint-Fergeux]], France: Unknown date – 30 June 1917 # [[Saint-Loup-en-Champagne|Saint-Loup]]: 30 June 1917 – 2 February 1918.<ref name="theaerodrome"/> # [[Cuirieux]]: 2 February 1918 – 26 February 1918 # [[Toulis]]: 26 February 1918 – 19 March 1918. # [[Guise]]: 19 March 1918 – Unknown date # [[Roupy]] # [[Guisecourt]] # [[Balatre]]: Unknown date – 12 June 1918 # [[Mesnil-Bruntel]]: 12 June 1918 – 12 July 1918 # [[Leffincourt]]: 12 July 1918 – 24 July 1918 # [[Chery-les-Pouilly]]: 24 July 1918 – 10 August 1918 # [[Foreste]]: 10 August 1918 – Late August 1918 # [[Neuflize]]: Late August 1918 – 3 September 1918 # [[Tichemont]]: 3 September 1918 – 5 September 1918 # [[Stenay]]: 5 September 1918 – Unknown date # [[Carigan]] # [[Florenville]] # [[Trier]]{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|pp=37–38}}

==Notable members== Two of the members of Jasta 19 were holders of the [[Pour le Mérite]] ("Blue Max"); both of them commanded the unit at some point. They were: * Oliver von Beaulieu-Marconnay, winner of the Pour le Mérite and [[Iron Cross]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/beaulieu-marconnay.php |title=Olivier Freiherr von Beaulieu-Marconnay |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref> * Ulrich Neckel, Pour le Mérite, Iron Cross<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/neckel.php |title=Ulrich Neckel |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref>

One of Germany's pioneer pilots checked into the Jasta already bearing the [[Military Order of Saint Henry]]: * [[Erich Hahn]] went on to win the [[Royal House Order of Hohenzollern]] and Iron Cross<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/hahn.php |title=Erich Hahn |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref>

Four other aces in Jasta 19 won both the Hohenzollern Order and Iron Cross: * [[Walter Böning]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/boning.php |title=Walter Böning |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref> * Ernst Hess<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/hess.php |title=Ernst Hess |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref> * [[Franz Brandt]]<ref name="theaerodrome"/> * Walter Göttsch<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/gottsch.php |title=Walter Göttsch |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref>

Other aces in the squadron were awarded the Iron Cross: * Hans Pippart, the leading ace of Jasta 19<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/pippart.php |title=Hans Martin Pippart |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref> * [[Arthur Rahn]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/rahn.php |title=Arthur Rahn |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref>

And there were aces who went unrewarded by medals, such as [[Rudolf Rienau]] and Hans Körner.<ref name="theaerodrome"/>

==Aircraft== Jasta 19 was founded with [[Albatros D.II]] fighters from its inception in December 1916.<ref name="theaerodrome"/> The [[Fokker Dr.I]] fighter came on line in August 1917;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/aircraft/germany/fokker_dri.php |title=Fokker DR.I |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref> the unit was supplied with the triplane, although this re-equipment date is unknown. The [[Fokker D.VII]] fighter was supplied to combat units beginning in March or April 1918;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theaerodrome.com/aircraft/germany/fokker_dvii.php |title=Fokker D.VII |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref> the squadron also received them at an unknown date.<ref name="theaerodrome"/>

Jasta 19 joined [[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]] * Nine [[Fokker Dr.1]]s * Three [[Fokker D.VII]]s * One [[Fokker E.V]] * Two [[Siemens-Schuckert D.III]]s{{sfnp|VanWyngarden|2005|pp=122&ndash;126}}

However, during 1918, aircraft were in short supply despite JG II's hoarding of worn Fokker Dr.I triplanes. The withdrawal of newly issued Siemens-Schuckert D.IIIs led to shortages. In the worst instance, on 26 May 1918, Jasta 19 was temporarily grounded because it had no aircraft.{{sfnp|VanWyngarden|2005|pp=44&ndash;46}}

==Operations== From Armee-Flugpark I, the squadron moved to the [[1st Army (German Empire)|1st Armee]] Sector on 4 December 1916. They were moved to [[Armee-Abteilung A|''Armee-Abteilung'' A]] Sector a week afterwards.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=37}}

On 19 March 1917, they were assigned to [[7th Army (German Empire)|7th Armee]]. It then moved back to the support of 1st Armee on 30 June.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=37}}

On 2 February 1918, as part of the formation of [[Jagdgeschwader II]], Jasta 19 returned to support of 7th Armee. On 19 March, the unit moved to the control of [[18th Army (German Empire)|18th Armee]]. On 12 June, they moved once more, to [[2nd Army (German Empire)|2nd Armee]] support. A month later, it was [[3rd Army (German Empire)|3rd Armee]] that needed the squadron. On 24 July, they moved to support of [[9th Army (German Empire)|9th Armee]]. It returned to the aid of 18th Armee on 10 August. By the end of August, the jasta had moved again, back to the aid of 1st Armee. On 3 September 1918, they went to the [[Armee-Abteilung C|''Armee-Abteilung'' C]] Front, but moved two days later to support [[5th Army (German Empire)|5th Armee]] for its final assignment.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|pp=37–38}}

==References== {{reflist}} ;Bibliography * {{cite book |first1=Norman |last1=Franks |author-link1=Norman Franks |first2=Frank W. |last2=Bailey |first3=Russell F. |last3=Guest |title=Above The Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service, and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914–1918 |location=London, UK |publisher=Grub Street |year=1993 |isbn=978-0-948817-73-1 |name-list-style=amp}} * {{cite book |first1=Greg |last1=VanWyngarden |title=Jagdgeschwader Nr II |location=Oxford, UK |publisher=Osprey Publishing |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-84176-727-7 }}

{{Jastas}}

[[Category:Jagdstaffeln|19]] [[Category:Military units and formations established in 1916]] [[Category:1916 establishments in Germany]] [[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1918]] [[Category:1918 disestablishments in Germany]] {{wwi-air}}