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Osprey Aircraft of the Aces #118
Aces of Jagdstaffel 17
This German World War I fighter squadron led by a Blue Max recipient didn't include Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen (the Red Baron), but its range of colorful characters was nonetheless impressive.
Initially formed to assist in the defence of the city of Metz against French bombing raids, Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 17 would go on to become one of the most distinguished German fighter units of World War 1. Its first victory was scored by the pilot whose story is inextricably interwoven with that of his unit - the 'Blue Max' recipient Julius Buckler. Buckler would rise from a humble NCO to commander of the Staffel, and overcome numerous wounds to score 35 of the squadron's total of 101 confirmed victories. He was largely responsible for inspiring the unit's unique Esprit de Corps, expressed in its famous and unique 'battle-cry' of 'Malaula!' Indeed, in its final days the unit gained the nickname Zirkus Buckler, or the 'Buckler Circus'.
Besides Buckler, Jasta 17 boasted such aces as Karl Strasser, Alfred Fleischer and Christian Donhauser. In addition, the roster included colourful characters like the successful Jewish airman Jakob Wolff, who at over 48 years of age was the oldest German fighter pilot of the war. The story of this illustrious unit is told with many first-hand accounts by Buckler, Fleischer and others, as well as dozens of rare archival photos of the unit's beautifully decorated fighter aircraft.
Initially formed to assist in the defence of the city of Metz against French bombing raids, Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 17 would go on to become one of the most distinguished German fighter units of World War 1. Its first victory was scored by the pilot whose story is inextricably interwoven with that of his unit - the 'Blue Max' recipient Julius Buckler. Buckler would rise from a humble NCO to commander of the Staffel, and overcome numerous wounds to score 35 of the squadron's total of 101 confirmed victories. He was largely responsible for inspiring the unit's unique Esprit de Corps, expressed in its famous and unique 'battle-cry' of 'Malaula!' Indeed, in its final days the unit gained the nickname Zirkus Buckler, or the 'Buckler Circus'.
Besides Buckler, Jasta 17 boasted such aces as Karl Strasser, Alfred Fleischer and Christian Donhauser. In addition, the roster included colourful characters like the successful Jewish airman Jakob Wolff, who at over 48 years of age was the oldest German fighter pilot of the war. The story of this illustrious unit is told with many first-hand accounts by Buckler, Fleischer and others, as well as dozens of rare archival photos of the unit's beautifully decorated fighter aircraft.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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March 12, 2014
While not as well-known as the squadron (Jasta 11) or fighter group (JG 1) the Red Baron (Manfred von Richthofen) commanded in battle, Jagdstaffel 17 had a no less distinguished record. Officially established in October 1916, Jagdstaffel 17 first went into action against the French. It was during this time that one of its rising stars rose into prominence as he grew in experience and began steadily taking a toll of enemy aircraft. His name: Julius Buckler (who would later go on to be the unit's top ace and holder of the Pour le Mérite, Imperial Germany's highest award for bravery).
Jagdstaffel 17 also had one of the oldest fighter pilots in Jakob Wolff. As an early air enthusiast, he had learned to fly before the war and at age 46, had managed, after petitioning for an active service role, to be accepted into the air service. And as a Jew, despite some obstacles it created for him owing to social prejudice, Wolff, by virtue of his combat record, was eventually promoted to reserve officer rank.
This book has lots of fine illustrations and photographs, which any student of First World War aviation will love. Moreover, for its 94 pages, "ACES OF JAGDSTAFFEL 17" tells an engaging and colorful story of a unit that flew a variety of aircraft against a host of enemies (French, British, Belgian, and American) all along the Western Front, achieving 101 confirmed victories in aerial combat by war's end.
Jagdstaffel 17 also had one of the oldest fighter pilots in Jakob Wolff. As an early air enthusiast, he had learned to fly before the war and at age 46, had managed, after petitioning for an active service role, to be accepted into the air service. And as a Jew, despite some obstacles it created for him owing to social prejudice, Wolff, by virtue of his combat record, was eventually promoted to reserve officer rank.
This book has lots of fine illustrations and photographs, which any student of First World War aviation will love. Moreover, for its 94 pages, "ACES OF JAGDSTAFFEL 17" tells an engaging and colorful story of a unit that flew a variety of aircraft against a host of enemies (French, British, Belgian, and American) all along the Western Front, achieving 101 confirmed victories in aerial combat by war's end.
Displaying 1 of 1 review