Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 26 was a "hunting group" of the Luftstreitkräfte, the air arm of the Imperial German Army during World War I. As one of the original German fighter squadrons, the unit would score 177 verified aerial victories, including four observation balloons destroyed. The Jasta would pay a bloody price for its success: five pilots killed in action, nine wounded in action, and one prisoner of war.
Operational history
As an independent squadron
Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 26 was founded on 14 December 1916 at the FEA 9 training center in Darmstadt. On 18 January 1917, it entrained for Colmar Nord. It was detailed to support of Armee-Abteilung B. Its first Staffelfuhrer was Bruno Loerzer, assigned 21 January 1917. Its first war patrols followed a week later. On 25 February, his old friend Hermann Göring joined Jasta 26. Also, the squadron's first victory was scored on 25 February 1917. From there, it was assigned to 2nd Armee Sector on 12 April. On 17 May, Göring transferred to command of Jasta 27 after his seventh victory. On 8 June, the jasta was reassigned to 4th Armee Sector. The squadron carried on its missions throughout mid-1917, with victory scores mounting and aces coming into their own. By September, they were well known to their Royal Flying Corps foes. Slackened operations marked the end of 1917. In January 1918, Jasta 26 began to receive Fokker D.V aircraft, and anticipated garnering new Fokker Dr.I triplanes. When the jasta was incorporated in JG III, it already had been credited with more than 70 aerial victories.
As part of a wing
On 21 February 1918, Jasta 26 was assigned to Jagdgeschwader III, along with Jasta 2, Jasta 27, and Jasta 36. Hauptmann Loerzer was promoted to command the new wing. His younger brother, Fritz Loerzer, assumed command of Jasta 26. As part of JG III, Jasta 26 would battle to the end of the war. On 13 March 1918, the squadron moved to support 17th Armee. A month later, on 11 April, they moved back to aid 4 Armee. On 27 May 1918, they were seconded to 7th Armee. On 25 August 1918, the entire JG III was assigned to support of 17th Armee for Jasta 26's last posting of the war. Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 26 would end the war as one of the top-scoring German fighter squadrons. It disbanded at FEA 5 at Hannover, Germany on 3 December 1918.
The blood price
Accredited aerial victories for the squadron totaled 180—176 airplanes and four observation balloons. The casualty list for Jagdstaffel 26 came to five killed, 11 wounded, one injured in a flying accident, and four captured.
Several other aces also served in the unit, including Christian Mesch, Fritz Loerzer, Helmut Lange, Fritz Classen, and Claus Riemer.
Aircraft
While few specifics of aircraft usage by Jasta 26 still exist, the following is known about the types assigned to the squadron.
The Albatros D.III entered service in January 1917, coincidental with the unit's foundation.
The Albatros D.V arrived as a replacement for the Albatros D.III later in 1917.
The Fokker Dr.I triplane was brought into service in August 1917. A later consignment arriving in late March 1918 finished the equipage of the unit with triplanes.
Fokker D.VIIs were introduced in late April or early May 1918.
As can be seen in the photo, the squadron's stark livery consisted of alternating white and black bands circling fuselage and tail.