Jagdgeschwader 1 / JG1

Jagdgeschwader 1 (JG 1) of World War I, was a fighter wing of the German Luftstreitkräfte, comprising four Jastas (fighter squadrons).

The first unit of its type formed under that classification, JG 1 was formed on 24 June 1917, with Manfred von Richthofen as commanding officer.

By combining Jastas 4, 6, 10 and 11. JG 1 became known as “The Flying Circus” or “Richthofen’s Circus” because of the bright colours of its aircraft, and perhaps also because of the way the unit was transferred from one area of Allied air activity to another- moving like a travelling circus in trains, and frequently setting up in tents on improvised airfields.

During early 1917, it became apparent to the German High Command that they would always be outnumbered in air operations over the Western Front.

The average Jasta could only muster some six or eight aircraft in total for a patrol, and would often face one Allied formation after another.

In order to maintain some impact and local command of the air the Jastas began (unofficially) to fly in larger, composite groups.

By mid 1917 the first official grouping of Jastas saw JG 1 formed.

Its role was simple; to achieve localized air superiority wherever it was sent and to deny Allied air operations over a specific location.

The unit was thus highly mobile, and JG 1 and its supporting logistical infrastructure traveled to wherever local air superiority was needed, often at short notice.

Today Jagdgeschwader 1 bring these tactics to the battlefield of modern space combat.