Jagdgruppe 4 (Jasta 36) February -March 18

AOK4 · 24 September 2003, 11:34 PM

Hello,

I did some research in Germany lately and encountered quite some interesting things (I'll post them on the forum later).
I also have a few questions which I would like to see answered.
I found the Gruppenbefehl der Gruppe Wytschaete, dated 8 February 1918 which says that Jagdgruppe 4 is to be concentrated on Marckebeke Airfield. Jasta 26 and Jasta 27 are to start from that airfield too. Jagdstaffel Boelcke has to go to Marcke (not the same as Marckebeke!), Jasta 36 to Bisseghem and Jasta 47 to Harelbeke.
My question is: was Jasta 36 ever in Bisseghem in this period? Or was the order changed later on?

Regards,
Jan

25 September 2003, 04:30 PM

Hi AOK4,

That is very interesting, because according to 'The Jasta Pilots', Jasta 36 was never part of Jagdgruppe 4. Jastas 2, 26 and 27 had just left this gruppe on Febuary 2 to form Jagdgeschwader III commanded by Oblt.

Bruno Loerzer. Jasta 36 was at various locations, but Bisseghem was not one of them (as far as what is listed in this book). Jasta 47w bounced around to many other Jagdgruppe for the rest of the war.

I would expect that your document would be accurate, as it is a period document. I wonder if anyone can explain this discrepancy?

regards

StephenLawson · 29 September 2003, 05:59 PM

Greetings all"; Jasta 36 affiliations for...
22 Sep17 to 1 Feb18 *Kuerne *they weren't apart of JgGrp 4 (Js 2, 26, 27, 37) *but were in the 4 Armee area. Grp.CO Oblt.

Bruno Loerzer.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
As of 1Feb18 to 13Mar18 *Kuerne they were assigned to JG III (Js 2, 26, 27, 36) *formed in the 4 Armee area. *JG CO Oblt. Bruno Loerzer.

Cross & Cockade Intl. Vol. 20 #1 1989 “Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel Nr.36"

AOK4 · 29 September 2003, 09:12 PM

Hello,

I've seen the original Gruppenbefehl dated 8 February 1918, which mentions Jagdgruppe 4 and not 3... ???
What are the sources for the C&CI article?

Jan

AOK4 · 30 September 2003, 12:05 AM

Hello,

I just discovered that the Kofl-Wochenbericht talks about Jagdgruppe 3 and not 4. I guess the error can be explained because of the recent change from 4 to 3...
I remember from the different orders I read that Jasta 47 apparently was more or less a training unit in Harelbeke. Can anyone confirm this?

Jan

Soderbaum · 30 September 2003, 06:56 AM

Hi Jan

I think that Stephen is correct that on 2 febr 1918 Jagdgruppe 4 lost three of their Jastas when Jage(Jagdgeschwader) 3 was formed.

The "small" rest of the Jagdgruppe 4 was then probably relocated somewhere. Some weeks afterwards it was however moved over to the 17 Army...

The question is how did Jagdgruppe 4 look like between the 2 Febr until March 1918..?

It seems that Jagdgruppe 3 moved over to Flanders on 25 Apr 1918.

???
Gunnar