On October 28th 1916 Oswald Boelcke was killed in an accidental collision with an airplane from his own squadron while engaged in combat operations against Number 24 Squadron RFC. Oswald Boelcke is perhaps the most influential combat pilot to have lived. Not only an ace with 40 aerial victories to his credit, Boelcke was a gifted leader and tactician single handedly developing the foundations of air to air combat.
Boelcke served alongside and mentored the greatest of Germany's pilots. Along with Max Immelman, Boelcke received the first Orders Pour le Merite (The Blue Max, Imperial Germany's highest medal) awarded for victory in air-combat. Boelcke was promoted to lead a new fighter squadron, Jagdstaffel 2, in the reorganized Imperial German Air Service where he would mentor and train pilots like Hans Reimann, Werner Voss and, of course, Manfred von Richthofen.
The rules laid down by Boelcke are still learned by pilots to this day. In memory of a courageous, chivalrous and wise enemy I offer his words of advice...
1. Try to secure advantages before attacking. If possible keep the sun behind you.
2. Always carry through an attack when you have started it.
3. Fire only at close range and only when your opponent is properly in your sights.
4. Always keep your eye on your opponent, and never let yourself be deceived by ruses.
5. In any form of attack it is essential to assail your opponent from behind.
6. If your opponent dives on you, do not try to evade his onslaught, but fly to meet it.
7. When over the enemy's lines never forget your own line of retreat.
8. For the Staffel: Attack on principle in groups of four or six. When the fight breaks up into a series of single combats, take care that several do not go for one opponent.
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