A (pronounced as /de/, ultimately from Proto-Germanic *stapul, "pillar") is a military organization in German-speaking militaries.
Within Deutsche Luftwaffe a is the smallest unit that is able to operate on its own.
The NATO map symbol for this is:
NATO doctrine recognizes this as a level of command unique to Germany.[1] [2] Within Heer a is a unit smaller than a company but larger than a platoon, e.g. Fahrzeugstaffel (vehicle squad), Instandsetzungsstaffel (maintenance squad).
The NATO map symbol for this is:
A usually had nine to 12 operational aircraft. Three or four comprised a, while a single was divided into two or three operational (singular:), consisting of four to six aircraft.
Relative to the opposing Allied air forces, a full-strength Staffel was usually smaller than a full-strength squadron (at least 12 aircraft) and larger than a flight (usually four to six aircraft). In 1940, during the Battle of Britain, the difference in numbers – between a standard Luftwaffe fighter Staffel and a standard RAF Fighter Command squadron – led to mutual misunderstandings of their respective strengths; German leaders frequently underestimated the active strength of Fighter Command and British leaders frequently overestimated the strength of the Luftwaffe.