# Jagdstaffel 8

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Jasta 8 Albatross D.V Active 1916–1918 Country German Empire Branch Luftstreitkräfte Type Fighter squadron Engagements World War I

Military unit

**Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 8** was a fighter squadron of the *[Luftstreitkräfte](/source/Luftstreitkr%C3%A4fte)*, the air arm of the [Imperial German Army](/source/Imperial_German_Army) during [World War I](/source/World_War_I). Although the *Jasta* went out of existence along with its parent units shortly after the [Armistice ending World War I](/source/Armistice_of_11_November_1918), its experiences would strongly influence the subsequent *[Luftwaffe](/source/Luftwaffe)*.

## History

The basis of *Jagdstaffel 8* was a small element of single-seat fighters attached to *Feldflieger Abteilung 6* at [Roulers](/source/Roulers) Aerodrome. It was transferred to FEA 10 at [Böblingen](/source/B%C3%B6blingen) 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](/source/Breslau)-[Gandau](/source/G%C4%85d%C3%B3w). 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).[1]

## Commanding officers (*Staffelführer*)

1. Gustav Stenzel: 23 September 1916 – 28 July 1917 [(KIA)](/source/Killed_in_action)

1. Konrad Mettlich (Acting): 28 July 1917 – 9 August 1917[2]

1. Constantin von Bentheim: 9 August 1917 – 1 April 1918

1. [Werner Junck](/source/Werner_Junck) : 1 April 1918 – 6 July 1918 ([WIA](/source/Wounded_in_action))

1. Joachim de la Camp: 6 July 1918 – 12 August 1918

1. Werner Junck: 12 August 1918 – 11 November 1918[3]

## Duty stations (airfields)

1. [Rumbeke](/source/Rumbeke), Belgium: 12 September 1916 – 30 September 1917

1. [Jabbeke](/source/Jabbeke), [Bruges](/source/Bruges), Belgium: 30 September 1917 – 19 November 1917

1. [Neuvilly](/source/Neuvilly), Le Cateau, France: 20 November 1917 – 14 December 1917

1. [Wassigny](/source/Wassigny), France: 15 December 1917 – 21 March 1918

1. [Bohain-en-Vermandois](/source/Bohain-en-Vermandois), France: 21 March 1918 – 24 March 1918

1. [Beauvois](/source/Beauvois%2C_Pas-de-Calais), France: 24 March 1918 – 27 March 1918

1. [Balâtre](/source/Bal%C3%A2tre)-[Roye](/source/Roye%2C_Somme): 27 March 1918 – 5 July 1918

1. [Saint-Rémy](/source/Saint-Remy-le-Petit), France: 6 July 1918 – 14 September 1918

1. [Mercy-le-Haut](/source/Mercy-le-Haut): 15 September 1918 – 11 November 1918[3]

## Personnel

The Jasta was a formative experience for a young [ace](/source/Flying_ace) who went on to be a Luftwaffe [Generalleutnant](/source/Generalleutnant), [Werner Junck](/source/Werner_Junck). Among its seven other aces were four other notable ones; [Walter Göttsch](/source/Walter_G%C3%B6ttsch), [Rudolf Francke](/source/Rudolf_Francke), [Wilhelm Seitz](/source/Wilhelm_Seitz), and [Rudolf Wendelmuth](/source/Rudolf_Wendelmuth).[3]

## Aircraft and operations

Details of aircraft assigned are sketchy; the only type they are known to have operated were [Albatros D.Vs](/source/Albatros_D.V),[3] which were introduced in 1917.[4]

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](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jagdgruppe_15&action=edit&redlink=1) — aka [Jagdgruppe Nord](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jagdgruppe_Nord&action=edit&redlink=1). Jasta 8 suffered a stutter in leadership during this summer; on 28 July, Staffelführer Gustav Stenzel was killed in action. [Oberleutnant](/source/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 [4 Armee](/source/4th_Army_(German_Empire)). In early December, it also became part of *Jagdgruppe "Etreux"*, an ad hoc unit consisting of the Jasta and [Jasta 35](/source/Jasta_35); the Jagdgruppe was commanded by Constantin von Bentheim. On 14 December, the Jasta moved again, to Neuvilly, and to support of the [2 Armee](/source/2nd_Army_(German_Empire)).[2] It moved once more that year, on 15 December, and began a three-month stay at Wassigny.[3]

When the Germans launched their [Spring Offensive](/source/German_spring_offensive) in March 1918, the Jasta uprooted three times, operating on the front of the [18 Armee](/source/18th_Army_(German_Empire)). 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](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jagdgruppe_1&action=edit&redlink=1). The Jasta acquired a new commanding officer on 4 April 1918 in future [Generalmajor](/source/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, [1 Armee](/source/1st_Army_(German_Empire)) and [5 Armee](/source/5th_Army_(German_Empire)). On 6 July, it moved to St. Rémy, and on 15 September settled at Mercy-le-Haut. It ended the war there.[5]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFranksBaileyGuest199332–33_1-0)** [Franks, Bailey & Guest (1993)](#CITEREFFranksBaileyGuest1993), pp. 32–33.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFranksBaileyGuest199332_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFranksBaileyGuest199332_2-1) [Franks, Bailey & Guest (1993)](#CITEREFFranksBaileyGuest1993), p. 32.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-theaerodrome_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-theaerodrome_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-theaerodrome_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-theaerodrome_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-theaerodrome_3-4) ["Jasta 8"](http://www.theaerodrome.com/services/germany/jasta/jasta8.php). *The Aerodrome*. 2015. Retrieved 16 December 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Albatros D.V Series"](http://www.theaerodrome.com/aircraft/germany/albatros_dv.php). *The Aerodrome*. 2015. Retrieved 16 December 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFranksBaileyGuest199333_5-0)** [Franks, Bailey & Guest (1993)](#CITEREFFranksBaileyGuest1993), p. 33.

**Bibliography**

- [Franks, Norman](/source/Norman_Franks); Bailey, Frank W. & Guest, Russell F. (1993). *Above The Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service, and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914–1918*. London, UK: Grub Street. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-948817-73-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-948817-73-1).

v t e Jastas of the Imperial German Army Air Service Prussian 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 25 26 27 29 30 31 33 36 37 38 39 41 42 43 45 46 48 49 50 51 52 53 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 73 74 75 81 82 83 85 86 87 88 89 90 Bavarian 16 23 32 34 35 76 77 78 79 80 Saxon 21 22 24 40 44 54 72 Württembergian 28 47 64 84

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jagdstaffel 8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagdstaffel_8) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagdstaffel_8?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.