Aces of Jagdstaffel 17 cover
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Description

This German World War I fighter squadron led by a Blue Max recipient didn't include the Richtofen (the Red Baron), but it's 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.

Table of Contents

Origins in Metz /Air action on the Aisne /Fights over Flanders /Cambrai and Beyond /Final Days / Appendices

Product details

Published Nov 19 2013
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781780967189
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 88 b/w; 28 col
Dimensions 10 x 7 inches
Series Aircraft of the Aces
Short code ACE 118
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Greg VanWyngarden

Greg VanWyngarden has had a lifelong interest in W…

Illustrator

Harry Dempsey

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