Oswald
Boelcke
Name: Oswald Boelcke
Country: Germany
Rank: Hauptmann
Units: Jasta 2
Victories: 40
Date Of Birth: May 19, 1891
Place of Birth: Giebichstein, Saxony
Date Of Death: October 28, 1916
Place of Death: Unknown
Buried: Ehrenfriedhof, DessauIn 1915, Boelcke was the pilot chosen to test Anthony Fokker's
new machine gun synchronizing device. It was a great success and
Boelcke used the new invention to become the first German ace. He
and Max Immelmann were awarded the Orden Pour le Mérite (Blue Max)
on January 12, 1916. They were the first two pilots to receive
Prussia's highest award for bravery. By the summer of the same year,
Immelmann had been killed and Boelcke was Germany's leading ace.
Author of the "Dicta Boelcke," he developed rules for air combat,
many of which remain relevant today. While flying an infantry
support mission, Boelcke's Albatros D.II briefly collided with that
of Erwin Böhme. Böhme survived but Boelcke was killed.
Dicta Boelcke
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Always try to secure an advantageous position before
attacking. Climb before and during the approach in order to
surprise the enemy from above, and dive on him swiftly from the
rear when the moment to attack is at hand.
-
Try to place yourself between the sun and the enemy. This puts
the glare of the sun in the enemy's eyes and makes it difficult to
see you and impossible for him to shoot with any accuracy.
-
Do not fire the machine guns until the enemy is within range
and you have him squarely within your sights.
-
Attack when the enemy least expects it or when he is
preoccupied with other duties such as observation, photography or
bombing.
-
Never turn your back and try to run away from an enemy
fighter. If you are surprised by an attack on your tail, turn and
face the enemy with your guns.
-
Keep your eye on the enemy and do not let him deceive you with
tricks. If your opponent appears damaged, follow him down until he
crashes to be sure he is not faking.
-
Foolish acts of bravery only bring death. The Jasta must fight
as a unit with close teamwork between all pilots. The signal of
its leaders must be obeyed.
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