The story of the fighter pilot the Red Baron himself sought to emulate . . . German
air ace Oswald Boelcke was a national hero during World War I, the
youngest captain in the German air force, decorated with the Pour Ie
Merite order while still only a lieutenant and with 40 aerial victories
at the time of his death. He became a pilot shortly before the
outbreak of the war, and when he was tragically killed in a flying
accident during combat less than two-and-a-half years later not only
was his name known all over the world but the whole of Germany mourned
his passing. He established his reputation on the Western front first
in reconnaissance then in scouts, and, with Immelmann, he became the
best known of the German aces. After Immelmann' s death, he was taken
off flying and traveled to the Eastern front where he met a young pilot
called Manfred von Richthofen. Transferred back to the Western Front in
command of Jasta 2, when the new small fighting units were formed, he
remembered von Richthofen and chose him as a pilot for his new Staffel.
Boelcke was killed in October 1916, the reputation of his unit together
with his own, firmly established for ever. About the
AuthorThis comprehensive and absorbing biography was written with the
blessing of Boelcke's family. Professor Werner was given access to his
letters and other papers, and presents here a rounded and fascinating
portrait of a great airman and a remarkable man, who became known as
the father of the German Jagdflieger. This new edition has been
completely reoriginated whilst remaining faithful to the language of
the time of its original translation from German in the 1930s.
Les avis sur le produit KNIGHT OF GERMANY OSWALD BELCKE GERMAN ACE