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Oswald Boelcke: Germany's First Fighter Ace and Father of Air Combat
Oswald Boelcke was Germany’s first ace in World War One with a total of forty victories. His character, inspirational leadership, organizational genius, development of air-to-air tactics and impact on aerial doctrine are all reasons why Boelcke remains an important figure in the history of air warfare.
Paving the way for modern air forces across the world with his pioneering tactics, Boelcke had a dramatic effect on his contemporaries. The fact that he was the Red Baron’s mentor, instructor, squadron commander and friend demonstrates the influence he had upon the German air force. He was one of the first pilots to be awarded the famous Pour le Mérite commonly recognized as the ‘Blue Max’. All of this was achieved after overcoming medical obstacles in his childhood and later life with a willpower and determination.
Boelcke even gained the admiration of his enemies. After his tragic death in a midair collision, the Royal Flying Corps dropped a wreath on his funeral, and several of his victims sent another wreath from their German prison camp. His name and legacy of leadership and inspiration live on, as seen in the Luftwaffe’s designation of the Tactical Air Force Wing 31 ‘Boelcke’.
In this definitive biography RG Head explores why Oswald Boelcke deserves consideration as the most important fighter pilot of the 20th century and beyond; but also for setting the standard in military aviation flying. This book will appeal to enthusiasts of the German air force, military aviation in general and World War One in particular.
Paving the way for modern air forces across the world with his pioneering tactics, Boelcke had a dramatic effect on his contemporaries. The fact that he was the Red Baron’s mentor, instructor, squadron commander and friend demonstrates the influence he had upon the German air force. He was one of the first pilots to be awarded the famous Pour le Mérite commonly recognized as the ‘Blue Max’. All of this was achieved after overcoming medical obstacles in his childhood and later life with a willpower and determination.
Boelcke even gained the admiration of his enemies. After his tragic death in a midair collision, the Royal Flying Corps dropped a wreath on his funeral, and several of his victims sent another wreath from their German prison camp. His name and legacy of leadership and inspiration live on, as seen in the Luftwaffe’s designation of the Tactical Air Force Wing 31 ‘Boelcke’.
In this definitive biography RG Head explores why Oswald Boelcke deserves consideration as the most important fighter pilot of the 20th century and beyond; but also for setting the standard in military aviation flying. This book will appeal to enthusiasts of the German air force, military aviation in general and World War One in particular.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published August 5, 2016
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November 1, 2019
I really enjoyed this book! The writing is beautiful, clear and easy to understand whilst also conveying a lot of well-researched information. Some parts are a bit encyclopedic/technical and dry, but overall the narrative storytelling is excellent and appropriate for a general audience. I learned so much about Germany's dominance in air warfare in World War I and the rapid innovations in aircraft technology in the early 1900s. This book really captures the history so well and conveys it in a way a modern reader can appreciate. There were so many facts that really made me go, "Wow!" For example, the fact that pilots would get a new model of plane one day and be up and using it to fight the very next day!
The author did a wonderful job of incorporating quotes from original source materials, including from Boelcke's correspondence with his parents. Boelcke did so much in his short life (he died in an accident at age 25), not just garnering the designation of fighting "ace", but also developing the first principles of air warfare tactics that are still the basis for air warfare today. The book also covers the lives and careers of other aces/aviation pioneers including Max Immelmann and "the Red Baron" Manfred von Richthofen, as well as touching on air warfare on the British/American side.
The author clearly wrote this book with love, care and passion and if you are at all interested in World War I, you will enjoy it and learn a lot!
The author did a wonderful job of incorporating quotes from original source materials, including from Boelcke's correspondence with his parents. Boelcke did so much in his short life (he died in an accident at age 25), not just garnering the designation of fighting "ace", but also developing the first principles of air warfare tactics that are still the basis for air warfare today. The book also covers the lives and careers of other aces/aviation pioneers including Max Immelmann and "the Red Baron" Manfred von Richthofen, as well as touching on air warfare on the British/American side.
The author clearly wrote this book with love, care and passion and if you are at all interested in World War I, you will enjoy it and learn a lot!
Displaying 1 of 1 review