Jagdgeschwader 1 (World War I) facts for kids

Manfred von Richthofen, also known as the “Red Baron”

Jagdgeschwader 1 (JG 1) was a famous German fighter pilot group during World War I. It was made up of four smaller fighter squadrons called Jastas. This special unit was created on June 24, 1917. Its first leader was Manfred von Richthofen, who you might know as the "Red Baron."

JG 1 earned the nickname "The Flying Circus" or "Richthofen's Circus." This was because their airplanes were painted in very bright, eye-catching colors. Also, the unit moved around a lot, traveling by train and setting up in tents, much like a traveling circus. They would go wherever they were needed to fight in the sky.

How the Flying Circus Was Formed

An Albatros D.V airplane, like the one flown by Manfred von Richthofen

In early 1917, German military leaders realized they often had fewer airplanes than the Allied forces on the Western Front. A typical German fighter squadron (Jasta) might only have six to eight planes ready for a mission. They often faced many Allied planes at once.

To help balance the numbers, German squadrons started flying together in bigger groups. This helped them have more impact in the air. By mid-1917, these unofficial groups became official, leading to the creation of JG 1.

What JG 1 Did

The main job of JG 1 was simple: to gain control of the sky wherever they were sent. They wanted to stop Allied planes from flying freely over certain areas. Because of this, the unit was very mobile. JG 1 and its support teams would quickly move to different locations where air superiority was needed.

From June 1917 until November 1918, JG 1 was very successful. They claimed to have shot down 644 Allied aircraft. However, they also lost 52 of their own pilots in battles, and 67 pilots were wounded.

Images for kids

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  Rittmeister Manfred von Richthofen – a top German flying ace of World War I.

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  Lothar von Richthofen, Manfred's brother, also a pilot.

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  Hermann Göring, a commander of Jagdgeschwader I, next to his Fokker DVII airplane. He is holding a walking stick that belonged to the Red Baron.

See also

In Spanish: Jagdgeschwader I (Primera Guerra Mundial) para niños