{{Infobox military unit |unit_name= Jasta 8 | image= Albatros D.Va Duxford Airshow 2012.jpg | image_size = 300 |caption=Albatross D.V |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= <!-- Commanders --> |commander1= |commander1_label= |commander2= |commander2_label= |commander3= |commander3_label= |commander4= |commander4_label= |notable_commanders= <!-- Insignia --> |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 --> |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 8''' was a fighter squadron of the ''[[Luftstreitkräfte]]'', the air arm of the [[Imperial German Army]] during [[World War I]]. Although the ''Jasta'' went out of existence along with its parent units shortly after the [[Armistice of 11 November 1918|Armistice ending World War I]], its experiences would strongly influence the subsequent ''[[Luftwaffe]]''.
==History== The basis of ''Jagdstaffel 8'' was a small element of single-seat fighters attached to ''Feldflieger Abteilung 6'' at [[Roulers]] Aerodrome. It was transferred to FEA 10 at [[Böblingen]] for the formation of the new unit on 10 September 1916. The squadron served beyond the Armistice, not disbanding until 3 December 1918. It passed into history at FEA 11, [[Breslau]]-[[Gądów|Gandau]]. During its 27-month existence, the squadron scored at least 91 confirmed victories. In turn, it had paid the cost of four pilots killed in action, one killed in a flying accident, and eight wounded in action (two multiply).{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|pp=32–33}}
==Commanding officers (''Staffelführer'')== # Gustav Stenzel: 23 September 1916 – 28 July 1917{{KIA2}} # Konrad Mettlich (Acting): 28 July 1917 – 9 August 1917{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=32}} # Constantin von Bentheim: 9 August 1917 – 1 April 1918 # [[Werner Junck]] : 1 April 1918 – 6 July 1918{{WIA}} # Joachim de la Camp: 6 July 1918 – 12 August 1918 # Werner Junck: 12 August 1918 – 11 November 1918<ref name="theaerodrome">{{cite web |url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/services/germany/jasta/jasta8.php |title=Jasta 8 |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |access-date=16 December 2015}}</ref>
==Duty stations (airfields)== # [[Rumbeke]], Belgium: 12 September 1916 – 30 September 1917 # [[Jabbeke]], [[Bruges]], Belgium: 30 September 1917 – 19 November 1917 # [[Neuvilly]], Le Cateau, France: 20 November 1917 – 14 December 1917 # [[Wassigny]], France: 15 December 1917 – 21 March 1918 # [[Bohain-en-Vermandois]], France: 21 March 1918 – 24 March 1918 # [[Beauvois, Pas-de-Calais|Beauvois]], France: 24 March 1918 – 27 March 1918 # [[Balâtre]]-[[Roye, Somme|Roye]]: 27 March 1918 – 5 July 1918 # [[Saint-Remy-le-Petit|Saint-Rémy]], France: 6 July 1918 – 14 September 1918 # [[Mercy-le-Haut]]: 15 September 1918 – 11 November 1918<ref name="theaerodrome"/>
==Personnel== The Jasta was a formative experience for a young [[flying ace|ace]] who went on to be a Luftwaffe [[Generalleutnant]], [[Werner Junck]]. Among its seven other aces were four other notable ones; [[Walter Göttsch]], [[Rudolf Francke]], [[Wilhelm Seitz]], and [[Rudolf Wendelmuth]].<ref name="theaerodrome"/>
==Aircraft and operations== Details of aircraft assigned are sketchy; the only type they are known to have operated were [[Albatros D.V]]s,<ref name="theaerodrome"/> which were introduced in 1917.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.theaerodrome.com/aircraft/germany/albatros_dv.php |title=Albatros D.V Series |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |access-date=16 December 2015}}</ref>
Squadron operations are not any better known for the squadron's first year, except it was based at Rumbeke, Belgium. During the summer of 1917, Jasta 8 became part of [[Jagdgruppe 15]] — aka [[Jagdgruppe Nord]]. Jasta 8 suffered a stutter in leadership during this summer; on 28 July, Staffelführer Gustav Stenzel was killed in action. [[Oberleutnant]] Konrad Mettlich assumed command until Constantin von Bentheim arrived on 9 August. The Jasta moved from Rumbeke to Jabbeke-Brügge on 30 September 1917, shifting to support of [[4th Army (German Empire)|4 Armee]]. In early December, it also became part of ''Jagdgruppe "Etreux"'', an ad hoc unit consisting of the Jasta and [[Jasta 35]]; the Jagdgruppe was commanded by Constantin von Bentheim. On 14 December, the Jasta moved again, to Neuvilly, and to support of the [[2nd Army (German Empire)|2 Armee]].{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=32}} It moved once more that year, on 15 December, and began a three-month stay at Wassigny.<ref name="theaerodrome"/>
When the Germans launched their [[German spring offensive|Spring Offensive]] in March 1918, the Jasta uprooted three times, operating on the front of the [[18th Army (German Empire)|18 Armee]]. After three day stays at both Bohain and Beauvois, it settled into Balâtre-Roye on 27 March 1918 for a hundred-day occupation. At some time in March, Jasta 8 was also incorporated into [[Jagdgruppe 1]]. The Jasta acquired a new commanding officer on 4 April 1918 in future [[Generalmajor]] Werner Junck; their previous Staffelführer, Constantin von Bentheim, had been appointed to command of Jagdgruppe 15 three days previously. As part of Jagdgruppe 1, Jasta 8 supported, successively, [[1st Army (German Empire)|1 Armee]] and [[5th Army (German Empire)|5 Armee]]. On 6 July, it moved to St. Rémy, and on 15 September settled at Mercy-le-Haut. It ended the war there.{{sfnp|Franks|Bailey|Guest|1993|p=33}}
==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}}
{{Jastas}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{wwi-air}}
[[Category:Jagdstaffeln|08]] [[Category:Military units and formations established in 1916]] [[Category:1916 establishments in Germany]] [[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1918]]