"Jagdstaffel 13" (Fighter Squadron 13, or "Jasta 13") led JG II into combat, scoring the new wing's first victory on 17 February 1918. Three days later, it suffered the new wing's first casualty, as the "jasta" "Staffelführer" (Commanding Officer) was killed in a takeoff accident. Nevertheless, during the runup to the German spring offensive, JG II continued to score as its commander led from the front. On March 6, Tutschek downed his 27th foe, raising the wing's score to 18. However, on 15 March 1918, Adolf Ritter von Tutschek was killed in action.