Aces of Jagdstaffel 17 (Aircraft of the Aces, 118) - Softcover

VanWyngarden, Greg

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1780967187 ISBN 13: 9781780967189

Publisher: Osprey Publishing, 2013

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Authors

Greg VanWyngarden has had a lifelong interest in World War 1 aviation and has been particularly active in gathering information on the colours and markings that decorated the various German fighters. He has written or co-authored over 12 titles for Osprey, including Aces of Jagdstaffel 17 in the Aircraft of the Aces series, and Richthofen's Circus – Jagdgeschwader Nr I and Jagdstaffel 18 – The Red Noses in the Elite Unit series.

Mark Postlethwaite was born in Leicestershire in 1964 and has developed a lifelong passion for aviation history. He first worked as a photographer before turning his attention solely to artwork, and is now highly regarded in his field for the quality and accuracy of his work. He became the youngest elected member of the Guild of Aviation Artists in 1991. Mark is a valued Osprey artist and has contributed to more than 100 of its books.

Edition details

• Publisher: Osprey Publishing
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1780967187
• ISBN 13: 9781780967189
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: Postlethwaite Mark
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 96