Jagdstaffel 50

{{Infobox military unit |unit_name= Jasta 50 | image= Albatros D-III fighters of Jagdstaffel 50 - mid to late 1917. (49760358511).jpg | image_size = 250 |caption=A lineup of Albatros D.III fighters of Jagdstaffel 50 - mid to late 1917. The subdued staffel scheme of black and white stripes and chevrons can be seen on the fuselage and tailplanes of most machines, which are otherwise in factory finish. |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 Prussian Jagdstaffel 50''', commonly abbreviated to '''Jasta 50''', was a "hunting group" (i.e., fighter squadron) of the ''[[Luftstreitkräfte]]'', the air arm of the [[Imperial German Army]] during [[World War I]]. The squadron would score over 45 aerial victories during the war, including [[balloon buster|14 observation balloons downed]]. The unit's victories came at the expense of five [[killed in action]], one [[wounded in action]], and three taken [[prisoner of war]]. The squadron was disbanded on 17 January 1919.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=47}}

==History== Jasta 50 was founded at ''Flieger-Abteilung'' (Flier Detachment) 13, [[Bromberg]], on 23 December 1917. It moved forward into action with ''[[7th Army (German Empire)|7 Armee]]'' on 11 January 1918. The squadron's initial commanding officer downed an enemy [[observation balloon]] for its first aerial victory on 25 January 1918. In September 1918, Jasta 50 was transferred to ''[[3rd Army (German Empire)|3 Armee]]''. On 21 October 1918, it was transferred again, to ''[[18th Army (German Empire)|18 Armee]]''. The squadron was disbanded after Germany's defeat, being demobilized on 17 January 1919.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=47}}

==Commanding officers (''[[Staffelführer]]'')== * [[Heinrich Arntzen]]: 13 January 1918 — 27 May 1918{{WIA}} * [[Hans von Freden]]: 27 May 1918 — 17 January 1919{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=47}}

==Duty stations== * [[Autremencourt]], France: 11 January 1918 * Marchais, France * Mont St Martin, France * [[Rocourt-Saint-Martin]], France * Rugny Ferme * Montbanis Ferme * [[Perles, Aisne|Perles]], France * Sisson * [[Boncourt, Aisne|Boncourt]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.anciens-aerodromes.com/?p=2629|title = Boncourt Nord – Saint-Acquaire – ANCIENS AÉRODROMES}}</ref> * [[Leffincourt]], France: September 1918 * Attigny, France * Chémery * Morville: 21 October 1918 * Saint-Gérard{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=47}}

==Aircraft== Initially flying the [[Albatros D.III]] from January 1918, it was later upgraded with the [[Albatros D.V]], and then re-equipped with [[Fokker D.VII]] fighters by 28 August 1918.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=47}}

==References== {{reflist}} ;Bibliography * {{cite book |first1=Norman |last1=Franks |authorlink1=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|50]] [[Category:Military units and formations established in 1917]] [[Category:1917 establishments in Germany]] [[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1919]] [[Category:Military history of Bydgoszcz]] {{wwi-air}}