World War One: The Flying Circus

The most famous aerial unit of the entire First World War was the iconic and legendary Jagdgeschwader Nr I or 'The Flying Circus' as it was known by the allies.

This unit was Imperial Germany's first fighter wing which tore bloody chunks out of the Royal Flying Corp and the Royal Air Corps between 1917 and 1918. Undoubtedly, this unit was and always is associated with its charismatic and legendary ace leader, Manfred Von Richtofen.

From its formation in the summer of 1917, the units brave pilots and their brightly painted aircraft battled for aerial control over the Western Front. The units' ranks included some of Germany's most famous airmen including Hermann Goring, Werner Voss and Lothar Von Richtofen.
By the beginning of 1917, Manfred Von Richtofen had received the Pour le Merite (The Blue Max) which was the highest military decoration in Germany at that time. Assuming command of Jasta 11 in January 1917, Richtofen trained hard and fought hard over the Western Front in early 1917.

It was during his time as commander of Jasta 11 that Richtofen decided to paint his Albatros Scarlet Red.

In the vein of emulating their hero, other members of Jasta 11 began to paint various parts of their aircraft red.

The pilots 'official reason' claims to be to avoid their leader becoming a prized target in a dog-fight.
As Jasta 11's battle record grew and the number of kills grew, other Jastas began to paint their aircraft and decoration of aircraft became common throughout the Luftstreitkräfte.
This pattern of decoration was glorified by the German High Command, and the practice was made much of by the German Propaganda. Richtofen was subsequently identified as 'Der Rote Kampfflieger' or 'The Red Battle Flyer'.

Combined with his determination and zeal, Richtofen led his and other units to unwavering success during the 'Bloody April' campaign of spring 1917.

In April alone, Richtofen shot down over 20 aircraft.

In June of 1917, Richtofen was given the greatest of prizes, the command of a new Jagdgeschwader.
The term Jagdgeschwader literally means 'battle wing' and in early 1917, these were new revolutionary tactics. In principal a Jagdgeschwader was composed of several Jastas which were highly mobile and could be easily transported to a particular section of the Front where the unit was needed.
Manfred Von Richtofen led Jagdgeschwader 1 which was composed of Jastas 4,6,10 and 11.
JG 1 became known as "The Flying Circus" due to the units' mobility, using tents and trains, and its brightly coloured aircraft.

Making a lethal name for itself from day one, by the end of April, the "Flying Circus" also became known as "Richtofen's Circus. The units' tactics were a keystone to the overall success of the unit.
Building on Boelcke's tactics, Manfred quickly and ruthlessly earned a reputation for himself.

Unlike Boelcke, Richtofen led by example, teaching his pilots to get into the clouds, hunt, pursue and track their enemy; always attacking out of the sun and never attacking alone.
The tactics of Richtofen and his unit in 1917 inspired the RAF and Douglas Bader in the dark days of the Battle of Britain in 1940.
Often described as distant, unemotional and ruthless, Richtofen drummed into his pilots the basic rule of 'Aim for the man and don't miss him'. It has become evident that due to developments in German aviation technology as well tactics and leaders such as Richtofen, Voss and Boelcke, the Germans had the upper edge when it came to aerial warfare by the end of the war.
By the end of World War One this legendary unit had inspired the creation of three other 'Battle Wings' and had claimed in excess of 644 victories