Jagdstaffel 55

Background
Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 55, commonly abbreviated to Jasta 55, was a World War I "hunting group" (i.e., fighter squadron) of the Luftstreitkräfte, forerunner to the Luftwaffe. The squadron would score at least eight aerial victories during the war. The unit's victories came at the expense of eight killed in action, one killed in a flying accident, and one taken prisoner of war.

History
Jasta 55 was formed on 1 January 1918 at Flieger-Abteilung (Flier Detachment), Schneidemuhl, Kingdom of Prussia (present day Poland). On 25 January, it mobilized for shipment to Jenin, Palestine, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire; the new unit was in place by 31 March 1918. The squadron was locally dubbed Jasta 1F. It moved to Derra on 20 September 1918, and lasted out the war there.

Commanding officers (Staffelführers)

 * Karl Meierdirks: ca 1 January 1918 - 4 May 1918 KIA
 * Wilhelm Debus: ca 4 May 1918 - 1 June 1918
 * Gerhard Wilhelm Flecken: 1 June 1918 -

Duty stations

 * Jenin: 31 March 1918 - 20 September 1918
 * Derra: 20 September 1918 - war's end

Aircraft

 * Albatros D.IIIs
 * Albatros D.Vs