How many planes in a squadron, escadrille, Jasta?

David_Layton · 12 April 2006, 06:34 AM

How many aircraft were the squadrons supposed to have?

By 1917, French units were 15 aircraft. German recon, artillery, bombing and Schusta/Schlastas had 6. Did Jastas have 14?

What about US, British and Belgian units?

Dan_San_Abbott · 15 April 2006, 10:22 PM

David Layton:
RFC fighter squadrons in 1917 had 18 aircraft divided into three flights of 6 machines. In 1918 it was increased to 24 aircraft, 8 per flight.
USAS Squadron had 25 aircraft, three flight of 8? or 4 flights of 6, and one for the C.O.
German units differed , a Jasta had a strength of 14 machine with 4 in reserve. Fl.Abt., Fl.Abt.A, Schusta, Kasta or Bomsta had 6 machines. In 1918, these were increased to 9 per unit. Strengths were actually about 7 or 8 per unit.
In 1918, the Jasta was generally 12 aircraft or less. The aircraft industry was unable to meet the production goals per month to meet the requirements of 81 Jasta. The training schools were not able to get the recruits for the Air Force to maintain all units at full strength.
Blue skies,
Dan-San