Jagdstaffel 5

Volume One
By G. K. Merrill
Albatros Publications, ©2004
ISBN 1-902207-67X
Softbound, 56 Pages

Reviewed By Chris Banyai-Riepl

The much-anticipated Jasta 5 book from Albatros Publications is finally here, at least part of it, anyway. This first volume of a two-volume set on Jagdstaffel 5 starts right off with an attention-getting cover showing Fritz Rumey's Albatros flying over Boistrancourt, with a nice selection of other Js5 aircraft on the ground. The large devil's head coupled with the checkered fuselage and wings really sets the mood for this authoritative book.

The book starts with the origins of Jasta 5, beginning in August 1916 with its first commander, Oberleutnant Hans Berr, and continues on through to mid-1917. The early years are detailed with a few photos, with most of the visual information being in the form of drawings showing the various Jasta 5 markings. Aircraft covered in this section include Fokker E series, Halberstadts, and Roland D.IIs, along with several line drawings of Albatros D.II aircraft. The predominantly black and white markings show up well in these basic drawings and leave the color pages for the more striking green-tailed Jasta 5 aircraft.

The Albatros years of Jasta 5 offer some of the most attractive schemes ever worn by the Albatros aircraft, and easily half of this book details those aircraft. Those who are familiar with WWI aviation probably have seen the photos of the Jasta 5 lineup at Boistrancourt. When compared to the superb profile illustrations showing these aircraft, one can just imagine how colorful that airfield looked in 1917. In addition to these overview photos, this title has plenty of other photos showing off many of the individual aircraft from that lineup.

As I mentioned, though, there are several color profiles in this book, and these really bring home the garish and bright appearance of many of the Js5 aircraft. A combination of talent in the form of Ray Rimell and Bob Pearson provide these illustrations, with a total of 33 side view profiles split between the cover pages and a center insert. Additionally there are several top and bottom scrap views, as well as a few complete top views provided, giving a very complete view of these aircraft.

This is an outstanding volume and I am greatly anticipating Volume 2. The text reflects the detailed research done by the author and it does an excellent job in telling the story of the third best German squadron in WWI. My thanks to Albatros Publications for the review copy. Check out their website for more details on this title and their Windsock Datafile line.