#boelcke

[j-r-macready]

Tornado IDS 44+31 by David ilott Via Flickr: JBG 31 Tornado IDS 44+31 painted to commemorate 20 years of Tornado operations, leaving RAF Fairford in July 2003.

[nerdaces]

Manfred von Richthofen about Oswald Boelcke

"... I did not dare to ask him to be taken on. I did not feel bored by the fighting in Russia. On the contrary, we made extensive and interesting flights. We bombed the Russians at their stations. Still, the idea of fighting again on the Western Front attracted me. There is nothing finer for a young cavalry officer than the chase of the air.

The next morning Boelcke was to leave us. Quite early somebody knocked at my door and before me stood the great man with the Ordre pour le Mérite. I knew him, as I have previously mentioned, but still I had never imagined that he came to look me up in order to ask me to become his pupil. I almost fell upon his neck when he inquired whether I cared to go with him to the Somme.

Three days later I sat in the railway train and traveled through the whole of Germany straight away to the new field of my activity. At last my greatest wish was fulfilled. From now onwards began the finest time of my life.

At that time I did not dare to hope that I should be as successful as I have been. When I left my quarters in the East a good friend of mine called out after me: "See that you do not come back without the Ordre pour le Mérite." ..."

Taken from Manfred's autobiography - Der rote Kampfflieger.

[nerdaces]

"Boelcke's spirit lives still among his capable successors."

- Manfred von Richthofen, Der Rote Kampfflieger

[nerdaces]

Portrait of Oswald Boelcke, done by Arnold Busch.

[1staif]

Oswald Boelcke developed the most successful flying tactics used by German aces, making possible the later achievements of Manfred von Richthofen. Boelcke flew the first Fokker E.I, won the Pour le Mérite, commanded Jasta 2, mentored many younger German fliers, and was even decorated by the French for rescuing a child from drowning.

On October 28, 1916, Boelcke was leading a formation of six Albatroses in an attack on some D.H.2s. Von Richthofen and Erwin Boehme were with him. As they maneuvered against the D.H.2s, Boehme’s plane collided with Boelcke’s, his wing slicing the upper-wing struts of Boelcke’s Albatros. Instantly, the wing folded up and the plane dove into the ground. Boehme was devasted, but was prevented from killing himself; he went on to shoot down 24 Allied planes and to receive the Pour le Mérite himself.

Some of Boelcke’s rules for aerial combat:

Try to secure advantages before you attack. If possible, keep the sun behind you.

Always carry through an attack when you have started it.

Fire only at close range and only when your opponent is properly in your sights.

Always keep your eye on your opponent, and never let yourself be deceived by ruses.

In any form of attack, it is essential to assail your opponent from behind.

If your opponent dives on you, do not try to evade his onslaught, but fly to meet it.

When over the enemy’s lines, never forget your own line of retreat.

[pinturas-gran-guerra-aire]

Fokker EIV Oswald Boelcke - Roy Cross

[thebiscuitclub]

Oswald Boelcke

[ilcenomane]

Boelcke und Freund