A (, ultimately from

Proto-Germanic Proto-Germanic (abbreviated PGmc; also called Common Germanic) is the linguistic reconstruction, reconstructed proto-language of the Germanic languages, Germanic branch of the Indo-European languages. Proto-Germanic eventually developed from ...

*''stapul'', "pillar") is a military organization in German-speaking militaries.

Operational unit

Within Deutsche Luftwaffe a is the smallest unit that is able to operate on its own. The NATO map symbol for this is: NATO Map Symbol - Unit Size - Company or Squadron or Battery

NATO Map Symbol - Unit Size - Company or Squadron or Battery

Subdivisional unit

NATO doctrine recognizes this as a level of command unique to Germany. 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:

of the Second World War

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 Flight or flying is the motion (physics), motion of an Physical object, object through an atmosphere, or through the vacuum of Outer space, space, without contacting any planetary surface. This can be achieved by generating aerodynamic lift ass ...

(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''.

References

{{Germany-mil-stub Air force units and formations by size Military units and formations by size Military units and formations of Germany