Jagdstaffel 57

{{Infobox military unit |unit_name= Jasta 57 |image= |caption= |dates=1918 |country= [[Kingdom of Prussia]], [[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 57''', commonly abbreviated to '''Jasta 57''', 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 32 aerial victories during the war. The unit's victories came at the expense of four pilots killed in action, one injured in a flying accident, four wounded in action, and one taken prisoner of war.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=49}}

==History== Jasta 57 was founded at the pilots and observers training school at [[Königsberg]] on 6 January 1918. The new squadron began operations on 20 January 1918. Four days later, it was incorporated into [[Rudolf Berthold]]'s ''Jagdgruppe Nord'' and tasked to support ''[[6th Army (German Empire)|6 Armee]]''. {{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=49}} On 26 February 1918, the unit flew its first combat missions. On 11 March, it scored its first aerial victories. Leutnant Hans Viebig (1897–1961), who would become Oberst of the [[Wehrmacht]] with the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross]], was first and shot down a [[Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8]] of the [[Royal Flying Corps]].{{cn|date=May 2020}}

On 23 April 1918, Jasta 57 was reassigned to ''[[4th Army (German Empire)|4 Armee]]''. It moved once again on 6 June, to join ''[[Jagdgruppe 7]]'' under [[Emil Thuy]] in support of ''[[2nd Army (German Empire)|2 Armee]]''. Five days later, JG 7 was reassigned to support ''[[18th Army (German Empire)|18 Armee]]''. On 8 July 1918, Jasta 57 was posted to ''[[1st Army (German Empire)|1 Armee]]''.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=49}}

==Commanding officer (''[[Staffelführer]]'')== * [[Paul Strähle]]: 6 January 1918{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=49}}

==Duty stations== * [[Wasquehal]], France: 24 January 1918 * [[Halluin]]: 23 April 1918 * [[Ennemain]]: 6 June 1918 * [[Neuflize]]: 8 July 1918 * [[Aniche]], France: 21 August 1918 * [[Beuvry]], France: 30 September 1918 * [[Chièvres]], Belgium: 12 October 1918 * Champles: 4 November 1918{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=49}}

==Notable personnel== * Paul Strähle * [[Johannes Jensen (aviator)|Johannes Jensen]]{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=49}}

==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|57]] [[Category:Military units and formations established in 1918]] [[Category:1918 establishments in Germany]] [[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1918]]