Jagdstaffel 56

Jasta 56
Active	1918
Country	Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire
Branch	Luftstreitkräfte
Type	Fighter squadron
Engagements	World War I

Background

Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 56, commonly abbreviated to Jasta 56, was a World War I "hunting group" (i.e., fighter squadron) of the Luftstreitkräfte, forerunner to the Luftwaffe. The squadron would score 63 aerial victories during the war. The unit's victories came at the expense of seven killed in action, four wounded in action, two injured in accidents, and one taken prisoner of war.

History

Jasta 56 began at Paderborn's Geschwader School on 20 October 1917, but was not officially established until 1 January 1918. Its first personnel reported in on 9 January 1918. It was assigned to 2 Armee on the 14th; it first saw combat on 9 February 1918. The new squadron scored first blood on the 19th. On 11 April 1918, it was consolidated into Jagdgruppe 6 and moved to support 4 Armee, remaining in that posting until war's end.

Commanding officers (Staffelführers)

• Franz Schleiff: 9 January 1918 - WIA 27 March 1918
• Dieter Collin: 4 April 1918 - KIA 13 August 1918
• Ludwig Beckmann: 13 August 1918 - war's end

Duty stations

• Neuvilly, France: 14 January 1918
• Mons-en-Chausee: 26 March 1918
• Ingelmunster, Belgium: 11 April 1918
• Rumbeke East, Belgium: 5 May 1918
• Croulshouten: 30 September 1918

Notable personnel

• Franz Schlieff
• Dieter Collin
• Ludwig Beckmann
• Franz Piechulek

Aircraft

• Albatros D.Va fighters: 9 January 1918
• Re-fitted with Fokker D.VIIs during May 1918
• Unit's marking for aircraft featured yellow nose and vertical stabilizer, white rudder, with a blue fuselage

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.