Jagdstaffel 7

{{Infobox military unit |unit_name= Jasta 7 | image= Fokker DR1 at Airpower11 18.jpg | image_size = 300 |caption=Jasta 7 was equipped with Fokker triplanes |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 7''' 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 126 aerial victories (130 claimed) during the war, at the expense of eleven killed in action, two killed in flying accidents, and twelve [[wounded in action]].{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=32}}

==History== On 2 June 1916, a Fokkerstaffel was founded at Martincourt; this temporary grouping was under XVI Corps of [[5th Army (German Empire)|5 Armee]]. It was quickly superseded on 23 August 1916, when it was designated as Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 7. A month later, on 21 September, it was activated. In Autumn 1917, Jasta 7 joined Jagdgruppe II, along with [[Jagdstaffel 29|Jasta 29]], [[Jasta 33]], and [[Jasta 35]]. The new JG 11 supported [[4th Army (German Empire)|4 Armee]], and was commanded by [[Otto Schmidt (aviator)|Otto Schmidt]].{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=32}}

In early 1918, Jasta 7 became part of Jagdgruppe Dixmuiden, along with [[Jasta 16]] and [[Jasta 51]], under command of Oberleutnant [[Hans-Eberhardt Gandert]]; it then moved to Rumbeke. It now became part of Jagdgruppe 6, along with [[Jasta 28]], [[Jasta 47]], and Jasta 51; Gandert commanded the group. In May, it moved again, to Saint Marguerite. The Jasta, along with Jasta 51, remained a mainstay of JGr 6, while other squadrons were rotated in and out of the group. As the war wound down, Jasta 7 remained in JGr 6, under the command of Hauptmann [[Erhard Milch]].{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=32}}

==Commanding officers== * Fritz von Bronsart-Schellendorf: 23 August 1916 - 21 July 1917{{KIA2}} * [[Josef Jacobs]]: 2 August 1917 - c. 18 November 1918

==Duty stations (airfields)== * [[Martincourt, Meurthe-et-Moselle|Martincourt]], France: 23 August - 28 September 1916 * Bellevue Ferme, Senon, France: 28 September - 19 October 1916 * La-Jolly Ferme, [[Stenay]], France: 20 October - 1 November 1916 * Procher, France: 2 November 1916 - 4 May 1917 * [[Eswars]], France: 4 May - 6 June 1917 * Thouroube, Roulers, Belgium: 6 June - 22 August 1917 * Wynghene, Belgium: 22 August - 15 September 1917 * Aertrycke, North of Torhout, Belgium: 15 September 1917 - 1 March 1918 * [[Rumbeke]], Belgium: 1 March {{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=32}} - 14 March 1918 * [[Roulers]], Belgium: 14–29 March 1918 * Sainte Marguerite, Belgium: 29 March - 1 October 1918 * [[Menen]], Belgium<ref name="theaerodrome">{{cite web |url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/services/germany/jasta/jasta7.php |title=Jasta 7 |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |access-date=16 December 2015}}</ref> 1 October - 11 November 1918 <ref>''Cross and Cockade International vol 25-3''</ref>

==Personnel== [[Josef Jacobs]] lengthy service and long leadership while he accrued 43 victories made him responsible for single-handedly scoring about a third of the unit's wins. However, a number of other notable aces served in the unit, including [[Friedrich Manschott]], [[Paul Hüttenrauch]], [[Paul Billik]], [[Carl Degelow]], [[Georg Meyer (aviator)|Georg Meyer]], [[Otto Schmidt (aviator)|Otto Schmidt]], and [[Olivier Freiherr von Beaulieu-Marconnay]].{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=32}}<ref name="theaerodrome"/>

==Aircraft and operations== Jasta 7 used [[Albatros D.V]] and a few [[Albatros D.III]] (these until early September 1917) when Josef Jacobs took command; [[Albatros D.Va]], [[Pfalz D.III]] and Pfalz D.IIIa were also used from late September 1917 to spring 1918,<ref>"Jasta 7 under Kobes". Cross and Cockade International vol 25-2 and 25-3</ref><ref>'Kobes - Thoughts and descriptions' ''Cross and Cockade International vol 29-2''</ref> before using [[Fokker Dr.I|Fokker Triplane]]s<ref name="theaerodrome"/> and [[Fokker D.VII]]s as of May 1918. Earlier aircraft assigned remain unknown at this time.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=32}}

==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|07]] [[Category:Military units and formations established in 1916]] [[Category:1916 establishments in Germany]] [[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1918]]