X-Nico

2 unusual facts about Oswald Boelcke


Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 31

Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 31 "Boelcke" (Tactical Wing 31; abbreviated as TaktLwG 31 "B"), formerly known as Jagdbombergeschwader 31 (Fighter-Bomber Wing 31; abbreviated as: JaBoG 31), is a fighter-bomber wing of the German Air Force (Luftwaffe).

On 20 April 1961 the wing was given the name "Boelcke", in honor of the World War I Luftstreitkräfte fighter pilot Oswald Boelcke.


Flight commander

This delineation of roles came into being very early in the history of aerial warfare, as Oswald Boelcke, Roderic Dallas, and Mick Mannock all derived the basic tactics of successful air to air combat from their flying experiences during World War I circa 1916.

Fokker E.IV

The removal of the left-side gun is believed to have been pioneered on Oswald Boelcke's E.IV, believed to have borne IdFlieg serial 123/15, with a simpler double-synchronisation system used on the retained center-line and right side MG 08 Spandau guns.


see also