Jagdstaffel 44

{{Infobox military unit |unit_name= Jasta 44 |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_interceptor= |aircraft_patrol= |aircraft_recon= |aircraft_trainer= |aircraft_transport= }} '''Royal Saxon Jagdstaffel 44''', commonly abbreviated to '''Jasta 44''', 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 19 aerial victories during the war, including [[balloon buster|four observation balloons downed]]. The squadron's victories came at the expense of two [[killed in action]], two killed in flying accidents, two wounded in action, one injured in an accident, and two taken prisoner of war.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=46}}

==History== Jasta 44 was formed on 11 December 1917 at ''Flieger-Abteilung'' ("Flier Detachment") 6 at [[Grossenhain]]. It went operational on 23 December 1917. In April 1918, it joined [[Jagdgruppe 12]], commanded by [[Heinrich Kroll]]. The squadron served until it was disbanded on 1 December 1918.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=46}}

==Commanding officers (''[[Staffelführer]]'')== * Max Raspe: 11 December 1917 * Albert Freytag: 14 February 1918 * Paul Lotz: 10 June 1918 – 23 October 1918{{KIA2}} * [[Leutnant]] von Borries: 23 October 1918{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=46}}

==Duty stations== * [[Leffincourt]], France * [[Villeselve]], France: March 1918 * [[Ercheu]]: Early April 1918 * [[Thuin|Donstiennes]], Belgium: 19 October 1918{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=46}}

==Operations== Jasta 44's first operational assignment, at Leffincourt, was support of ''[[3rd Army (German Empire)|3 Armee]]''. After being incorporated into Jagdgruppe 12, it usually supported ''[[18th Army (German Empire)|18 Armee]]''. The squadron would serve through war's end, being disbanded at [[Kamenz]], [[Kingdom of Saxony]], on 1 December 1918.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=46}}

==Aircraft== Jasta 44 re-equipped with [[Fokker D.VII]] fighters when it was consolidated into Jagdgruppe 12. Its previous equipment is unknown.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=46}}

==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|44]] [[Category:Military units and formations established in 1917]] [[Category:1917 establishments in Germany]] [[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1918]]