Jagdstaffel 31

{{Infobox military unit |unit_name= Jasta 31 | image= Deskau.jpg | image_size = 250 |caption=Albatros of Jasta 31 |dates=1916–1918 |country= [[German Empire]] |allegiance= |branch=[[Luftstreitkräfte]] |type=Fighter squadron |role= |size= |command_structure= |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=  |commander1= |commander1_label= |commander2= |commander2_label= |commander3= |commander3_label= |commander4= |commander4_label= |notable_commanders=  |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_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 31''' 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 35 verified aerial victories, including five wins over enemy [[observation balloons]].{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=42}}

In turn, their casualties for the war would amount to nine pilots [[killed in action]], two dead in aircraft accidents, six [[wounded in action]], and two injured in accidents.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=42}}

==History/Operations== [[File:Jasta 31 Alb DIII OAW.jpg|right|thumb|A Jasta 31 Albatros D.III on display to visitors.]]

Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 31 was formed on 14 December 1916 at [[Breslau]], the site of the FEA II training unit in the [[3rd Army (German Empire)|3rd Armee]] Sector. It was mobilized into action on 7 February 1917. Its first victory was scored on 3 March 1917 by ''Staffelführer'' Albert. On 11 September 1917, it left the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]] for service in Italy. Between 25 October 1917 and 20 February 1918, it racked up 14 victories in Italy. It was then shifted back to the Western Front on 7 March, and there completed its war.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=42}} It returned from there toward the end of February 1918, and returned to the Western Front. It fought through to war's end, and was disbanded along with the rest of the ''Luftstreitkräfte''.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=42}}

==Commanding officers (''[[Staffelführer]]'')== # Leutnant Werner Albert: Unknown date – 10 May 1917{{KIA2}} # [[Oberleutnant]] Gunther Viehweger: transferred in from [[Jasta 17]] on 10 May 1917 – transferred out on 6 September 1917 # Leutnant Zech: transferred in from [[Jasta 1]] on 6 September 1917 – promoted out of unit on 18 May 1918 # Oberleutnant Robert Blumenbach: transferred in from [[Jasta 12]] on 18 May 1918 – 2 October 1918 # [[Hauptmann]] Eduard Seldner: transferred in from [[Jasta 37]] on 2 October 1918 – 17 March 1919?<ref name="theaerodrome">{{cite web |url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/services/germany/jasta/jasta31.php |title=Jasta 31 |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref>

==Aerodromes== # [[Mars-sous-Bourcq]], France: 8 February 1917 – Unknown date<ref name="theaerodrome"/> # Italy: 11 September 1917 – Late February or early March 1918 # [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]]: 7 March 1918 – ca 11 November 1918{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=42}}

==Notable members== One member of Jasta 31 was a recipient of the [[Royal House Order of Hohenzollern]] and [[Iron Cross]]: * [[Richard Wenzl]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/wenzl.php |title=Richard Wenzl |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref>

Two members were Iron Cross winners: * [[Sylvester Garsztka]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/garsztka.php |title=Mieczyslaw Sylwester Garsztka |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * [[Fritz Jacobsen]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/jacobsen.php |title=Fritz John Jacobsen |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref>

Two other aces served with the squadron: * Alwin Thurm<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/thurm.php |title=Alwin Thurm |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref> * Kurt Jacob{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=42}}<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/jacob.php |title=Kurt Jacob |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref>

==Aircraft== Jasta 31 used the [[Albatros D.III]], D.III (OAW), [[Albatros D.V]] and Roland D.II fighters.<ref name="theaerodrome"/>

==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}}

[[Category:Jagdstaffeln|31]] [[Category:Military units and formations established in 1916]] [[Category:1916 establishments in Germany]] [[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1918]]