Jagdstaffel 43

{{Infobox military unit |unit_name= Jasta 43 |image= |caption= |dates=1917–1918 |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 43''', commonly abbreviated to '''Jasta 43''', was a "hunting group" (i.e., fighter squadron) of the ''[[Luftstreitkräfte]]'', the air arm of the [[Imperial German Army]] during [[World War I]]. The unit would score over 35 aerial victories during the war, [[balloon buster|including two observation balloons downed]]. The squadron's victories came at the expense of six killed in action, five wounded in action, two injured in accidents, and one taken prisoner of war.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=45}}

==History== Jasta 43 was founded on 6 December 1917 at ''Flieger-Abteilung'' (Flier Detachment) 4 at [[Poznań|Posen]]. It was operational by 18 December 1917. The squadron began flying combat sorties on 23 January 1918. It scored its first aerial victory circa 9 February 1918. The Jasta operated through the end of the war.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=45}}

==Commanding officers (''[[Staffelführer]]'')== * Wilhelm Flecken * [[Adolf Gutknecht]]: May 1918 * Guido Schobinger: 2 November 1918{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=45}}

==Duty stations== * Montingen, near [[Metz]]: 21 December 1917 * [[Morhange]]: 9 March 1918 * [[Avelin]], France: 3 April 1918 * [[Gondecourt]], France * [[Haubourdin]], France * [[Seclin]], France * Grand Metz * [[Cysoing]], France * [[Berghem]], Belgium{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=45}}

==Notable personnel== * [[Josef Raesch]] * [[Adolf Gutknecht]] * [[Ernst Wiehle]]{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=45}}

==Operations== Jasta 43 flew its initial combat missions for ''[[Armee-Abteilung A]]'', beginning 21 December 1917. On 2 February 1918, the squadron transferred its support mission to ''[[19th Army (German Empire)|19 Armee]]''. On 3 April 1918, Jasta 43 was reassigned to fly for ''[[6th Army (German Empire)|6 Armee]]''.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=45}}

==Aircraft== Jasta 43 is known to have operated [[Fokker D.VII]] and [[Pfalz D.XII]] fighters.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=45}}

==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|43]] [[Category:Military units and formations established in 1917]] [[Category:1917 establishments in Germany]] [[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1918]]