Jagdstaffel 81

Background
Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 81, commonly abbreviated to Jasta 81, was a World War I "hunting group" (i.e., fighter squadron) of the Luftstreitkräfte, forerunner to the Luftwaffe. The squadron would score six or more aerial victories during July/August 1917, while serving on the Eastern Front. After switching to the Western Front, Jasta 81 would score another 35 victories from May 1918 to war's end. The unit's victories came at the expense of five killed in action, three killed in flying accidents, one injured in a flying accident, three wounded in action, and three taken prisoner of war.

History
Jasta 81 originated in Jagdflieger Ober-Ost, which was founded at Brest-Litovsk on 16 June 1917. It was intended for service on the Eastern Front. In August 1917, it was assigned to 8 Armee. In early May 1918, it was incorporated into Jagdgruppe 5. On 30 May 1918, it was revamped as Jasta 81. At this time, the squadron was posted to 7 Armee on the Western Front in France. On 27 June 1918, it was switched over to Jagdgruppe 4; in late July, it would return to JG 5. In late September 1918, the jasta would be assigned to 3 Armee.

Commanding officers (Staffelführers)

 * Josef Wulf
 * Herbert Knappe: 7 April 1918 - wounded in action 25 August 1918
 * Fritz Höhn: circa 25 August 1918 - 9 September 1918
 * Wilhelm Pritsch: 9 September 1918

Duty stations

 * Kniaze: July 1917
 * Mitau (present day Latvia): August 1917
 * Boncourt, France
 * Moislains, France
 * Séranvillers, France: August 1918
 * Leffincourt, France: Late September 1918
 * Two successive unknown locations
 * Saint-Gerard-Maison: 26 October 1918 - Armistice

Notable personnel

 * Alfons Nagler

Aircraft
In late 1917, Jasta 81 was supplied with LFG Roland D.II fighters.