Jagdstaffel 38

Jasta 38
Active	1917–1918
Country	German Empire
Branch	Luftstreitkräfte
Type	Fighter squadron
Engagements	World War I

Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 38, commonly abbreviated to Jasta 38, was a World War I "hunting group" (i.e., fighter squadron) of the Luftstreitkräfte, which was the forerunner to the Luftwaffe. The unit would score 17 aerial victories during the war. The squadron's victories came at the expense of four losses, including one killed in action, one injured in flying accidents, and one wounded in action.

History

Jasta 38 was founded at Hudova, Macedonia on 30 June 1917. It drew its original personnel from Kampfgeschwader (tactical bomber wing) 1, Flieger-Abteilung (Flier Detachment) 30, and Jasta Vardar. The new squadron scored its first aerial victory on 29 October 1917.

Commanding officers (Staffelführers)

• Rudolf Bohm: 1 July 1917
• Kurt Grasshoff: 6 November 1917
• Fritz Thiede: ca 12 June 1918

Duty stations

• Hudova, Macedonia

Notable personnel

Although the unit produced no flying aces on its own, commanders Kurt Grasshoff and Fritz Thiede were decorated aces.

References

• Above the Lines: The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps, 1914-1918. Norman L. R. Franks, Frank W. Bailey, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1993. ISBN 0-948817-73-9, ISBN 978-0-948817-73-1.