Most Effective Squadrons of World War I

[von Fustercluck]

Hello, all,

I want to impose on your collective knowledge of WWI aviation history. I am looking to compile a list of the most successful flying squadrons (not individual pilots) of the war, in terms of overall numbers of kills. Jasta 11, I imagine, would be on the list, as would the RFC/RAF's No. 60 Squadron. What others are there?

Cheers,
John

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Hello, all,

I want to impose on your collective knowledge of WWI aviation history. I am looking to compile a list of the most successful flying squadrons (not individual pilots) of the war, in terms of overall numbers of kills. Jasta 11, I imagine, would be on the list, as would the RFC/RAF's No. 60 Squadron. What others are there?

Cheers,
John

Hi John,

If you go to http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/index.php and select each of the 'Air Services' you will find on each squadron/escadrille/Jasta page a collation of victories claimed and casualties sustained where that data is available.

For example these are the statistics for Jasta 2 'Boelcke' - http://www.theaerodrome.com/services...sta/jasta2.php
Kingdom: Prussia
Formed: 10 August 1916
Mobilized: 1 September 1916
Aces: 25
Victories: 333 Airplanes, 3 Balloons
Losses: 31 Killed in Action (KIA), 2 Killed in Flying Accident (KIFA), 9 Wounded in Action (WIA), 2 Prisoners of War (POW)

Cheers,

Carl.

[flash]

... Jasta 11, I imagine, would be on the list, as would the RFC/RAF's No. 60 Squadron. What others are there?..

I'd think 56 & 20 Sqns must be up there for the RFC/RAF John, there'll be a few other high scorers too.

[rhodie80]

I believe Jasta 5 was 3rd highest scoring
Kingdom: Prussia
Formed: 21 January 1916
Mobilized: 10 August 1916
Insignia:
Aces: 14
Victories: 253
Losses: 19 Killed in Action (KIA)
3 Killed in Flying Accident (KIFA)
1 Injured in Flying Accidents (IIFA)
8 Wounded in Action (WIA)
2 Prisoners of War (POW)

[Stumptonian]

Dave

It would be interesting to have a composite list in this format for the Bulldogs and Eagles come Armistice time, donchya think

[Mike George]

94th Aero Squadron

Victories
Enemy Aircraft shot down: 52
Enemy Balloons shot down: 12
Total Enemy Aircraft Destroyed: 64

[Mike George]

La Fayette Escadrille

199 victories were known to be officially recognized.

[rhodie80]

Jasta 11
Kingdom: Prussia
Formed: 28 September 1916
Mobilized: 11 October 1916
Insignia:
Aces: 26
Victories: 350
Losses: 17 Killed in Action (KIA)
2 Killed in Flying Accident (KIFA)
19 Wounded in Action (WIA)
2 Prisoners of War (POW)

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Dave

It would be interesting to have a composite list in this format for the Bulldogs and Eagles come Armistice time, donchya think

I can definitely see a 'stats sheet' emerging at the end of the campaign.

[gully_raker]

Dave

It would be interesting to have a composite list in this format for the Bulldogs and Eagles come Armistice time, donchya think

That is a great idea Pete provided Dave does not mind the extra work!

[gully_raker]

I'd think 56 & 20 Sqns must be up there for the RFC/RAF John, there'll be a few other high scorers too.

Whilst I do not have a definitive list of RFC/RAF Squadron scores I am confidant that 56 Squadron was the highest scoring Squadron with 357 victories by their Aces alone.
This compares with 268 by the Aces of 60 Squadron including the doubtful 47 claimed by Billy Bishop whilst with 60. This info via the Osprey Aviation Elite Unit Books.
I think both 40 Sqd & 1 Sqd also had good scores.

I will pose the Question over on the Aerodrome Historical Forum & see what I can find.

[gully_raker]

Dredged up some results from the Aerodrome Historical site:

1 Sqd: 340+
23 Sqd 230+
24 Sqd 175 (122 confirmed) This was the very first single seat fighter squadron.
32 Sqd 175+

[flash]

Dave

It would be interesting to have a composite list in this format for the Bulldogs and Eagles come Armistice time, donchya think

Check the last post of the composite campaign threads Pete
https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sh...p-Rule-Threads

[flash]

Whilst I do not have a definitive list of RFC/RAF Squadron scores I am confidant that 56 Squadron was the highest scoring Squadron with 357 victories by their Aces alone....I will pose the Question over on the Aerodrome Historical Forum & see what I can find.

The answer may come back 20 Sqn Baz .... formed on 1 September 1915, as a fighter-reconnaissance unit of the Royal Flying Corps, and became arguably the highest scoring and possibly most decorated British squadron on the Western Front with 613 combat victories ?!

[von Fustercluck]

Thanks, everyone! The Aerodrome is a great resource, but it includes very little information on the French.

Mike George, what's your source for that figure of 199 kills for the Lafayette Escadrille? I had been under the impression that it wasn't a particularly effective unit. This source cites the official number of kills as only 39.

https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/e...tte-escadrille

[von Fustercluck]

It seems to me that in considering the most effective squadrons we have to look both at the number of kills and the length of time that the squadron was active. According to the information I've studied on the Aerodrome so far, the best of the best was the RFC's 84 Squadron, which in only 14 months of activity scored 323 kills. That averages out to just over 23 kills per month! (By way of comparison, Jasta 11 averaged "only" 14 kills per month.)

[Stumptonian]

Dave I think you misunderstood what I meant.
I was referring to the total number of kills and pilot deaths etc. once we are done with the Bulldogs and Eagles.
If you have that already I am not seeing it in the link,

Check the last post of the composite campaign threads Pete
https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sh...p-Rule-Threads

[flash]

Dave I think you misunderstood what I meant.
I was referring to the total number of kills and pilot deaths etc. once we are done with the Bulldogs and Eagles.
If you have that already I am not seeing it in the link,

What I have done is in the last post of each of the composite campaign threads.
eg for Early Doors: Flash - 25 missions - 20 victories - 6 KIA - 1 POW (Eagles: 11 Victories, 6KIA, 1 POW)
If that's not what you're after then ...
Well volunteered !

(and perhaps this should be continued in our sub-forum rather than hijacking John's thread)

[Hedeby]

Gentlemen - I give you 48 Squadron RFC Flying the Bristol Fighter - 317 confirmed kills and 32 Ace pilots...

[Hedeby]

I will raise you 48 Squadron and present 20 Squadron RFC

The squadron was formed on 1 September 1915, as a fighter-reconnaissance unit of the Royal Flying Corps, and became arguably the highest scoring and possibly most decorated British squadron on the Western Front with 613 combat victories, a posthumous Victoria Cross won by Thomas Mottershead, four Distinguished Conduct Medals, and over sixty Military Crosses and Military Medals awarded to its members. Its ranks included over forty flying aces. The squadron transferred from the Royal Flying Corps to the newly formed Royal Air Force in April 1918.

Guess what planes they flew??? yup

Attachment 242248

I know - any excuse... sorry I couldn't help it

[gully_raker]

I will raise you 48 Squadron and present 20 Squadron RFC

The squadron was formed on 1 September 1915, as a fighter-reconnaissance unit of the Royal Flying Corps, and became arguably the highest scoring and possibly most decorated British squadron on the Western Front with 613 combat victories, a posthumous Victoria Cross won by Thomas Mottershead, four Distinguished Conduct Medals, and over sixty Military Crosses and Military Medals awarded to its members. Its ranks included over forty flying aces. The squadron transferred from the Royal Flying Corps to the newly formed Royal Air Force in April 1918.

Guess what planes they flew??? yup

Attachment 242248

I know - any excuse... sorry I couldn't help it

G'day Chris! Sorry mate but the attachment wont show.

I am guessing the venerable FE 2's of various marks.

[gully_raker]

From a list over on the Aerodrome site provided by Graeme who does the 100 Years Ago threads.
20 Squadron achieved 620 Victories.
Mind you to present a really accurate picture you would need to divide the score by the number of Months the Squadrons were operational as in the case of 56 Sqd they were not made operational until 22nd April 1917 being the first Squadron to be equipped with the new SE 5.
According to Graeme 56 achieved 410 kills & the next best was 29 Sqd. with 390.

84 Sqd is listed with 325 victories.

[Naharaht]

Do not forget the R.N.A.S. squadrons.

It would be much harder to judge the effectiveness of the bombing, reconnaissance and artillery observation squadrons.

[gully_raker]

10 Naval (210 sqd RAF) made Graeme's list with 352 Victories.

[von Fustercluck]

I wonder why the French Escadrilles in general didn't perform as well. The best I can find is Stork Escadrille N3, which scored 377 victories. I haven't been able to find another one that even cracked double digits. Of course, the information available online about the French Air Service is pretty sketchy.

Based solely on kills and length of time in action, here is my top 20 ranking of the best squadrons (all scouts) of the war:

1. 84 Squadron (British), averaging just over 23 kills per month.
2. 88 Squadron (British), averaging 21 kills per month.
3. 20 Squadron (British), averaging just over 18.5 kills per month.
4. 74 Squadron (British), averaging 17.5 kills per month.
5. (tie) 85 Squadron (British), averaging 16.5 kills per month.
5. (tie) 148th Aero Squadron (US), averaging 16.5 kills per month.
7. 1 Naval Squadron (British), averaging just under 16 kills per month.
8. 48 Squadron (British), averaging just under 16 kills per month.
9. Jasta 11 (German), averaging 14 kills per month.
10. 94th Aero Squadron (US), averaging 13.5 kills per month.
11. 17th Aero Squadron (US), averaging 13.25 kills per month.
12. 87 Squadron (British), averaging just under 13 kills per month.
13. 68 Squadron (British), averaging just under 13 kills per month.
14. 22 Squadron (British), averaging just over 12.5 kills per month.
15. 66 Squadron (British), averaging 12.5 kills per month.
16. Jasta 2 (German), averaging just under 12.5 kills per month.
17. 8 Naval Squadron (British), averaging just under 12.5 kills per month.
18. 29 Squadron (British), averaging just over 12 kills per month.
19. 56 Squadron (British), averaging just over 11 kills per month.
20. 22 Aero Squadron (US), averaging 11 kills per month.

It's funny that the list is so heavily British (14 out of 20). Any idea why that's the case? Or is my methodology flawed?

[monse]

Victories of the most effective FRENCH Squadron.
It seems that french authorities were very strict to confirm the pilots’ victories.

SPA 3 : 178 confirmed - 202 unconfirmed
http://albindenis.free.fr/Site_escad...adrille003.htm

[tikkifriend]

Dave

It would be interesting to have a composite list in this format for the Bulldogs and Eagles come Armistice time, donchya think

Agreed Pete. For a fantasy Squadron/ Jasta we certainly have picked away at the enemy scouts over the past years. And its a bit of fun to put on a Wiki site to see who takes the bait

[tikkifriend]

[QUOTE=monse;469257]Victories of the most effective FRENCH Squadron.
It seems that french authorities were very strict to confirm the pilots’ victories.

Ah Les fonctionners

[tikkifriend]

I will raise you 48 Squadron and present 20 Squadron RFC

The squadron was formed on 1 September 1915, as a fighter-reconnaissance unit of the Royal Flying Corps, and became arguably the highest scoring and possibly most decorated British squadron on the Western Front with 613 combat victories, a posthumous Victoria Cross won by Thomas Mottershead, four Distinguished Conduct Medals, and over sixty Military Crosses and Military Medals awarded to its members. Its ranks included over forty flying aces. The squadron transferred from the Royal Flying Corps to the newly formed Royal Air Force in April 1918.

Guess what planes they flew??? yup

Attachment 242248

I know - any excuse... sorry I couldn't help it

Link doesn't work Chris but I bet they flew Big Bs

...........

[gully_raker]

I wonder why the French Escadrilles in general didn't perform as well. The best I can find is Stork Escadrille N3, which scored 377 victories. I haven't been able to find another one that even cracked double digits. Of course, the information available online about the French Air Service is pretty sketchy.

Based solely on kills and length of time in action, here is my top 20 ranking of the best squadrons (all scouts) of the war:

1. 84 Squadron (British), averaging just over 23 kills per month.
2. 88 Squadron (British), averaging 21 kills per month.
3. 20 Squadron (British), averaging just over 18.5 kills per month.
4. 74 Squadron (British), averaging 17.5 kills per month.
5. (tie) 85 Squadron (British), averaging 16.5 kills per month.
5. (tie) 148th Aero Squadron (US), averaging 16.5 kills per month.
7. 1 Naval Squadron (British), averaging just under 16 kills per month.
8. 48 Squadron (British), averaging just under 16 kills per month.
9. Jasta 11 (German), averaging 14 kills per month.
10. 94th Aero Squadron (US), averaging 13.5 kills per month.
11. 17th Aero Squadron (US), averaging 13.25 kills per month.
12. 87 Squadron (British), averaging just under 13 kills per month.
13. 68 Squadron (British), averaging just under 13 kills per month.
14. 22 Squadron (British), averaging just over 12.5 kills per month.
15. 66 Squadron (British), averaging 12.5 kills per month.
16. Jasta 2 (German), averaging just under 12.5 kills per month.
17. 8 Naval Squadron (British), averaging just under 12.5 kills per month.
18. 29 Squadron (British), averaging just over 12 kills per month.
19. 56 Squadron (British), averaging just over 11 kills per month.
20. 22 Aero Squadron (US), averaging 11 kills per month.

It's funny that the list is so heavily British (14 out of 20). Any idea why that's the case? Or is my methodology flawed?

G'day John!
Mate your figures for 56 Sqd are Waaay off.
410 victories in 19 months equals 21.6 per month!

[von Fustercluck]

Where do you get 410 kills for 56 Squadron? The Aerodrome says 210 (but I've just been counting destroyed, not the 186 "out of control").

[gully_raker]

Where do you get 410 kills for 56 Squadron? The Aerodrome says 210 (but I've just been counting destroyed, not the 186 "out of control").

Hi John!
The 410 comes via Graeme's list on the Aerodrome Historical Forum.
You can check it out in the "other WW1 Aviation Section" under my thread.
Via the Osprey Aces Elite Aviation book on 56 Sqd Alex Revell list 357 victories by the Aces of 56 alone.