How to Pronounce Oswald Boelcke
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May 19, 1891 Giebichenstein, Saxony Anhalt, Germany Died on 28 Oct 1916 (aged 25)
German First World War flying ace
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About Oswald Boelcke
- Oswald Boelcke (German: ['bœlk?]; 19 May 1891 – 28 October 1916) was a German flying ace of the First World War credited with 40 victories; he was one of the most influential patrol leaders and tacticians of the early years of air combat.
- Boelcke is honored as the father of the German fighter air force, as well as considered the "Father of Air Fighting Tactics".
- Boelcke fulfilled his childhood dream of a military career by joining the Imperial German Army in July 1912.
- He followed his interest in aviation, learning to fly as World War I began.
- After duty as an observer during 1914, he became one of the original fighter pilots during 1915.
- He and Max Immelmann were the first German fighter pilots awarded the Pour le Merite.
- When Immelmann was killed in combat in June 1916, the German high command grounded Boelcke after his 19th victory.
- During his month's forced grounding, he was tasked to help transform the Fliegertruppe (Flying Troops) into the Luftstreitkräfte (Air Force).
- His innovative turn of mind codified his combat experiences into the first ever manual of fighter tactics distributed to an air force, the Dicta Boelcke.
- The Dicta promulgated axioms for individual pilot success, as well as a requirement for teamwork directed by a formation's leader.
- Present day tactics manuals stem from the Dicta. After a month's holiday leave spent on a military inspection tour of Turkish facilities, Boelcke was picked to lead one of Germany's first fighter squadrons, Jagdstaffel 2 (Fighter Squadron 2).
- By the end of the war, this squadron had 25 aces in its ranks, and four of its members became generals during World War II.
- During the short time before his death, Boelcke became the world's leading fighter pilot, scoring 21 more victories while commanding Jagdstaffel 2.
- He was killed in a crash following a midair collision on 28 October 1916.
