Jagdstaffel 44

Jasta 44
Active	1917–1918
Country	German Empire
Branch	Luftstreitkräfte
Type	Fighter squadron
Engagements	World War I

Royal Saxon Jagdstaffel 44, commonly abbreviated to Jasta 44, 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 19 aerial victories during the war, including four observation balloons downed. The squadron's victories came at the expense of two killed in action, two killed in flying accidents, two wounded in action, one injured in an accident, and two taken prisoner of war.

History

Jasta 44 was formed on 11 December 1917 at Flieger-Abteilung (Flier Detachment) 6 at Grossenhain. It went operational on 23 December 1917. In April 1918, it joined Jagdgruppe 12, commanded by Heinrich Kroll. The squadron served until it was disbanded on 1 December 1918.

Commanding officers (Staffelführers)

• Max Raspe: 11 December 1917
• Albert Freytag: 14 February 1918
• Paul Lotz: 10 June 1918 (KIA 23 October 1918)
• Leutnant von Borries: 23 October 1918

Duty stations

• Leffincourt, France
• Villeselve, France: March 1918
• Ercheu: Early April 1918
• Donstiennes, Belgium: 19 October 1918

Operations

Jasta 44's first operational assignment, at Leffincourt, was support of 3 Armee. After being incorporated into Jagdgruppe 12, it usually supported 18 Armee. The squadron would serve through war's end, being disbanded at Kamenz, Kingdom of Saxony on 1 December 1918.

Aircraft

Jasta 44 re-equipped with Fokker D.VII fighters when it was consolidated into Jagdgruppe 12. Its previous equipment is unknown.

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.