Royal Bavarian Jagdstaffel 16 was a "hunting group" (i.e., fighter squadron) of the Luftstreitkräfte, the air arm of the Imperial German Army during World War I.

Jasta 16
The Pfalz D.IIIa of Vizefeldwebel Max Holtzem of Jasta 16
Active	1916–1918
Country	German Empire
Branch	Luftstreitkräfte
Type	Fighter squadron
Engagements	World War I

History

Royal Bavarian Jagdstaffel 16 was founded from two ad hoc predecessor units — a Bavarian reconnaissance unit, Flieger Abteilung 9, and Kampfeinsitzer-Kommando Ensisheim. These two units were amalgamated on 16 October 1916, while posted in Armee-Abteilung B Sector. Oberleutnant Otto Deßloch commanded this nascent squadron the few days it took to be designated Jagdstaffel 16, on 1 November. By the time it disbanded just two years later, it had established its credentials as a balloon buster squadron, with an even two dozen enemy observation balloons destroyed, as well as 58 victories over enemy aircraft.[1]

Commanding officers (Staffelführer)

1. Paul Kremer: 1 November 1916 – 8 July 1917
2. Heinrich Geigl: 18 July 1917 – 20 August 1917
3. Robert Dycke: 20 August 1917 – 1 December 1917
4. Heinrich Geigl: 1 December 1917 – 4 April 1918
5. Friedrich Ritter von Röth: 8 April 1918 – 9 September 1918
6. Rudolf Eck: 9 September 1918 – October 1918
7. Friedrich Ritter von Röth: October 1918 – 11 November 1918[2]
8. Albert Wilhelm Ferdinand Gröner, 1 November 1916 – 20 July 1917[3]

Duty stations (airfields)

1. Ensisheim: 16 October 1916 – 13 April 1917
2. Habsheim: 13 April 1917 – 6 May 1917
3. Château-Porcien: 7 May 1917 – 4 June 1917
4. Spincourt: 6 June 1917 – 20 October 1917
5. Erlon: 21 October 1917 – 23 November 1917
6. Mercy-le-Haute: 24 November 1917 – 4 February 1918
7. Aertrycke: 7 February 1918 – 14 March 1918
8. Le Cateau: 15 March 1918 – 20 March 1918
9. Foucaucourt: 21 March 1918 – 6 April 1918
10. St. Marguerite: 13 April 1918 – October 1918
11. Scheldewindeke: October 1918 – 11 November 1918[2]

Notable personnel

• Ludwig Hanstein
• Karl Odebrett
• Otto Kissenberth
• Theodor Rumpel[2]

Aircraft operated

• Fokker E.III
• Fokker E.IV
• Fokker D.I
• Fokker D.II
• Pfalz D.II
• Albatros D.III
• Albatros D.V
• Fokker Dr.I
• Fokker D.VII[1]

References

Bibliography

• Franks, Norman; 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 978-0-948817-73-1.