BOELCKE, Oswald. (1891-1916). Hauptmann. Victories = 40. Highest award = Pour le Merité/Blue Max.
(July 1916; one of the first two recipients of the award to pilots in
the Great War, the other was to Immelmann ).
Began his army service in 1911 as a cadet telegraphist.
After officer training transferred to the GAAS at the outbreak of the Great War and undertook pilot training.
His first confirmed victory was a Morane-Saulnier P which he shot down on 4th June 1915.
His
first operational post was with FA 13 flying on reconnaissance patrols
in France where his combative enthusiasm led to his rapid transfer to
fighters.
One of Germany's first air aces and air tacticians,
Boelcke became a household name and national hero and was one of the
most sought after of the famous cigarette card collection of air aces.
In
June/July 1916, on the Kaiser's express orders, he was sent on
promotional tour of Axis countries to spend some time away from the
dangers of the Somme battlefield. During this long tour he formulated
some principles of aerial combat which he submitted to the German High
Command. Subsequently, these principles became the nucleus of an
operational handbook for German aviators during the Great War.
Boelcke was also promoted to Hauptmann in July 1916.
In late July 1916, Boelcke was recalled from his tour to take command of Jasta 2.
Four
months later, was killed in a crash landing near Douai, NE of Arras,
France, after a collision in the air with a fellow pilot during a
dogfight.
His last victory was a RAF BE 2c that he shot down two days before his death.
Confirmed victories
| Aeroplanes Voisin | Voisin ? | 3 |
| Aircraft Manufacturing Co | Airco DH 2 | 4 |
| British & Colonial Aeroplane Co. Ltd | Bristol (bi-plane) | 1 |
| British & Colonial Aeroplane Co. Ltd | Bristol Scout | 1 |
| Caudron Frères | Caudron ? | 1 |
| Caudron Frères | Caudron G4 | 1 |
| Farman Fréres | Farman ? | 3 |
| Martinsyde Ltd | Martinsyde G. 100 | 1 |
| Morane-Saulnier | Morane-Saulnier L | 3 |
| Royal Airforce Factory | RAF BE 2c | 4 |
| Royal Airforce Factory | RAF BE 2d | 1 |
| Royal Airforce Factory | RAF BE 12 | 1 |
| Royal Airforce Factory | RAF FE 2b | 5 |
| Royal Airforce Factory | RAF RE 7 | 1 |
| Société Anonyme des Etablissements, Nieuport | Nieuport ? | 3 |
| Société Anonyme des Etablissements, Nieuport | Nieuport 12 | 1 |
| Sopwith Aviation Co | Sopwith 1.1/2.Strutter | 4 |
| Unidentified French bi-plane | 1 | |
| Unidentified French two-seater | 1 | |
| Total | 40 |
