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Title: An Aviator's Field Book
Being the field reports of Oswald Bölcke, from August 1,
1914 to October 28, 1916
Author: Oswald Bölcke
Translator: Robert Reynold Hirsch
Release Date: September 17, 2009 [EBook #30011]
Language: English
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AN AVIATOR'S
FIELD BOOK
_Being the Field Reports of Oswald Bölcke,
from August 1, 1914, to October 28, 1916_
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN BY
ROBERT REYNOLD HIRSCH, M.E.
WITH A FOREWORD BY
JOSEPH E. RIDDER, M.E.
1917
NATIONAL MILITARY PUBLISHING CO.
1919 BROADWAY, NEW YORK
[Illustration: COLONEL OSWALD BÖLCKE'S LAST PICTURE]
ILLUSTRATIONS
FACING
PAGE
Colonel Oswald Bölcke's Last Picture _Frontispiece_
After His First Victory 32
The Enemy's Aeroplane in Ruins 33
The Master-Flier and His Men 64
Bölcke and His Brother Wilhelm,
September, 1914 65
Donning His Flying Dress 96
An Aviator Bombarded with
Shrapnel 97
Among His Comrades 144
German Marine Aviators on a
Field Near the North Sea 145
Ready for the Start 160
Bölcke and His Brother Max in
France (August, 1916) 161
One of His Last Victims 182
Starting on His Last Ride, October
28, 1916--5 P. M. 183
FOREWORD
BY JOSEPH E. RIDDER
An unassuming book, still one of those which grip the reader from
beginning to end. When the author started to write his daily
impressions and adventures, it was to keep in touch with his people,
to quiet those who feared for his safety every moment, and at the same
time to give them a clear idea of his life. Without boasting, modestly
and naturally, he describes the adventures of an aviator in the
great World War. It could well serve as a guide to those who are
studying aviation. Although he has avoided the stilted tone of the
school-master, still his accomplishments as a knight of the air must
fascinate any who know aviation. For the aviators as well as their
machines have accomplished wonders. They are rightly called the eyes
of the army--these iron-nerved boys who know no fear. Admiral Schley's
historic words after the battle of Santiago: "There will be honor
enough for us all" can well be said of the aviators of all nations now
at war. For in spite of all enmity the aviators have followed the
knightly code of old which respects a good opponent and honors him.
Captain Bölcke's death, after his meteoric career, was mourned alike
by friend and foe. Great as is the damage done by this war, horrible
as is its devastation, it has acted as a tonic on aviation. Before the
war, of course, there had been some achievements of note. Since the
day when the Wright brothers announced their conquest of the air, man
did not rest till the problem was completely solved. And this war,
which continually has spurred man to new murderous inventions, has
also seen the airplane in action. While at the start of the war the
comparatively few airplanes in use were employed as scouts, a few
months saw them fitted with machine guns and devices for dropping
explosives. Hand in hand with this came the rapid development of the
airplane itself. To-day we can truthfully say that a journey, even a
long one, by airplane is less dangerous than an automobile ride
through a densely populated district. But one thing we must not
forget, even though the invention of the airplane by the Wrights is an
American one (in spite of the fact that the Wrights give some credit
to the German Lilienthal) the Europeans have far outstripped us in the
development of this invention. As sad as it is to say it, we must
admit that in regard to aviation America is still in its infancy.
Every European nation has outdone us. When, in the summer of 1916, we
sent our troops to Mexico, they had only six old machines at their
disposal. Instead of relying on these for information, General
Pershing had nothing but anxiety for their safety every time they made
a flight. But here, too, if all signs are not deceiving, war has
helped us to awake. Aside from the activity in our training-schools
where thousands of our young men, surpassed by none anywhere, are
being trained, the building of our airplanes is taking a great step
forward. The experience gained on the other side is helping us here.
At first it was the automobile factory that furnished the satisfactory
motor. But now through the war the airplane factories have made
enormous progress and helped the aviator to attain new marks in speed,
reliability and endurance. While this war lasts every improvement in
the airplane is utilized to make added destruction. Yet we can not
doubt that after the war we will see further progress made in the
airplane in the peaceful contests which are to follow.
INTRODUCTION
BY PROF. HERMANN BÖLCKE, DESSAU
Oswald Bölcke was born on the 19th of May, 1891, in Giebichenstein, a
suburb of Halle on the Saale. Here his father was professor in the
high school. His sister, Luise, and his two brothers, Wilhelm and
Heinrich, were born before him in Buenos Ayres, Argentina. There his
father had had his first position--rector of the German Lutheran
School. Later, Oswald's brother Martin was born in Halle and his
brother Max in Dessau. Oswald was the first child born to the Bölcke's
in Germany. On the 17th of July, the wedding-day anniversary of his
parents, he was baptized by his uncle, the Rev. Edmund Hartung.
This occurred during a vacation spent at his grandmother's, at
Freyburg-on-the-Unstrut, in the same church in which his mother had
been baptized, confirmed and married, by the same minister. After a
year the family moved to Halle, where he could romp joyously on the
Viktoria-platz with his two older brothers and his sister.
At the age of four and a half years he moved to Dessau, in 1895, where
his father had received a position as professor in the Antoinette
School, connected with a teachers' seminary. He had another year and a
half of joyous play in this city. Then he was sent to school, and he
owed his education to the Friedrichs gymnasium at Dessau, from which
he graduated in the Easter of 1911. When he was three years old he had
had a severe attack of whooping-cough. This had left a strong tendency
to asthma, and was the cause of much trouble at school through
illness. In fact, it was a weakness that plagued him with continual
colds even to the last few weeks of his life. While still only a
youth, he fought this weakness by practising long-distance running,
and in 1913 he won second prize in the Army Marathon at Frankfurt.
Aside from this, he was perfectly healthy and was always exercising to
keep himself so. In his boyhood he learned how to swim while resting
on the hands of his father, who was holding him in the waters of the
Mulde River. In a few moments, to the amazement of the spectators, he
was paddling around in the water like a duck. This is an example of
his courage and self-confidence. In the same way he rapidly developed
into a skilled, fearless mountain climber under the tuition of his
father, when, as a seventeen-year-old boy, he was first taken on such
trips. In the Tux district trips were taken from Lauersbach, and the
more difficult the climb the more it pleased Oswald. Only when there
was real danger was there any joy for him. His mother will never
forget the time she witnessed his climbing of the Höllenstein. She was
on the lower Krieralpe watching. When it was time to descend he,
taking huge strides, fairly ran down the slope covered with loose
slabs of stone and waited, standing on his head, for his more cautious
father and his brother Martin.
His principal, Dr. Wiehmann, said in the words he spoke at Oswald's
burial: "He had no mind for books or things studious; in him there
burned the desire for action. He was energetic, dynamic, and needed to
use his bodily vigor. Rowing, swimming, diving (in which he won prizes
as a schoolboy), ball games of all kinds, and gymnastics, he choose
as his favorite occupations before he entered his profession as a
soldier." He might also have added skating and dancing, for he was a
very graceful dancer. His favorite studies were History, Mathematics
and Physics. Treitschke's Works and the reports of the General Staff
were the books he said he liked best to read. So he was attracted by
the military life while still young. Before even his eldest brother
thought of it, Oswald wrote him that he yearned to become an officer.
In order to fulfil this desire, he decided while still in the third
year of school to write to His Majesty the Kaiser that he would like
to be an officer, and ask for admission to a cadet school. His parents
did not learn of this till his wish was granted, and though putting no
obstacles in his path, decided it was better that he finish his
schooling before breaking away from "home life." After this, his
parents let him join the Telegraphers' Battalion No. 3, at Koblenz, as
color guard. They had full confidence in him and his strength of
character, and let him leave home with no misgivings. Thanks to his
fine physical condition and his enthusiasm, the King's service in the
beautiful country of the Rhine and the Moselle was a joy to him. Here
he spent many pleasant years, rich in friendship and making ever
stronger the family ties. After finishing his schooling as a soldier,
he returned to Koblenz from Metz and in the fall was commissioned as a
lieutenant.
In this summer he and his brother Martin had the adventure on the
Heiterwand, in the Lechtal Alps, which many heard of. He and his
brother, in consequence of a heavy fog, lost their way during a
difficult climb and after wandering for a day and a night, were
rescued by the heroic sacrifices of Romanus Walch, an engineer, and
several guides. It was his love for his parents that made him take the
way which was impassable except in a few spots, instead of taking the
easier south way. On that day, July 26th, his father was to have
charge of the opening celebrations at the Anhalt Shelter, situated on
the northern face of the Heiterwand. He felt he had to take the
shorter, more difficult route so as not to keep his father in suspense
on the day of the festivities. Even if he did not spare his parents
this anxiety, still he and his brother arrived shortly after the
celebrations, in tattered clothes but fresh and shouting in spite of
the strain and lack of food.
He wrote with great satisfaction of his work with the telephone
division and later with the wireless division. Especially he liked his
work in the Taunus, the Odenwald and the Eiffel, with its varying,
beautiful scenery which pleased the nature-lover in him. Service with
the wireless took him to Darmstadt with a battalion from Koblenz, and
it was there that he first came into contact with the aviation corps.
They had a school there on the parade grounds. He silently planned to
join them, but not till June, 1914, was he able to attain his heart's
desire, when he was transferred to the school at Halberstadt. In
six weeks his training was completed, and on the day before the
mobilization he passed his final examination. On August 1st, on his
way to Darmstadt, where he was ordered, he visited his parents in
Dessau for an hour. After they had pushed through the throng around
the station to a quiet nook inside, he made a confession to them. He
had not been in the wireless service at Halberstadt, as they had
thought, but had instead been getting his training as an aviator. He
had kept this from them so that he should not spoil their vacation in
the Alps at Hinter-Tux. This loving care was remembered in this
stirring moment and he was forgiven. Still they could not help being
frightened at the dangerous work he had chosen; his brother Wilhelm
had already joined the aviation corps of the German army as observer.
But in the face of the tremendous happenings of those days, personal
care and sorrow had to be forgotten. So they parted with him,
commending him to the care of God, who rules the air as well as the
earth.
Though eager to be off to war, he had to be content with staying in
Darmstadt and Trier with the reserves. Finally, on the 1st of
September, he was allowed to fly from Trier to the enemy's country.
His objective was Sedan. On the way, he landed in Montmedy to visit
his brother Wilhelm, who was an observer with the aviation section
stationed there. He was ordered to stay there for a time, and had the
great satisfaction of being united with his brother, for the division
commander ordered him to report to his troop. So the brothers had the
good luck to be fighting almost shoulder to shoulder in the Argonnes
and the Champagne. If it was possible, they were both in the same
machine: Wilhelm as observer, Oswald as pilot. Each knew he could
trust the other implicitly. So they were of one heart and one soul in
meeting the thousand and one dangers of their daily tasks.
[Illustration: AFTER HIS FIRST VICTORY]
[Illustration: THE ENEMY'S AEROPLANE IN RUINS]
FROM THE BEGINNING OF
THE WAR TO THE FIRST
VICTORY
HALBERSTADT, AUGUST 1, 1914
Where I will be sent from here, I cannot say as yet. My old
mobilization orders commanded me to report to a reconnoitering
squadron in the first line, as commander. But these have been
countermanded, and I do not know anything about my destination. I
expect to get telegraphic orders to-day or to-morrow.
DARMSTADT, AUGUST 3, 1914
Arrived here safe and sound after a slight detour _via_ Cologne. I am
very glad that I can spend to-day and to-morrow with B. and my other
old friends. Then they go, and only poor I must stay with the Reserve.
I think that we will get our turn, too, in two weeks.
TRIER, AUGUST 29, 1914
Arrived here safely. Myself drove a 30 horsepower Opel _via_ Koblenz.
Wonderful auto ride!
I managed to get time to pass my third examination in Darmstadt before
I left.
F., SEPTEMBER 3, 1914
Started last night with a non-commissioned officer at six o'clock and
landed here safely at seven. It was a very pretty flight.
CH., SEPTEMBER 4, 1914
Have been here with the division for two days. As I had no observer
along, Wilhelm has commandeered me. Of course, I like to fly best with
Wilhelm, since he has the best judgment and practical experience. As
he already knows the country fairly well, he doesn't need a map at all
to set his course. We flew over the enemy's positions for about an
hour and a half at a height of two thousand eight hundred meters, till
Wilhelm had spotted everything. Then we made a quick return. He had
found the position of all the enemy's artillery. As a result of his
reports, the first shots fired struck home.
When I reached the aviation field the next afternoon two of the
planes had already left; Wilhelm also. For me there were written
orders to locate the enemy at certain points. At my machine I found
the non-commissioned officer who had come with me from Trier; he said
he was to go up with me. This seemed odd to me, because I really
should have been flying with Wilhelm. I got in and went off with him,
since I knew the country from my first flight. We had quite a distance
to fly and were under way two and a half hours. I flew over the
designated roads that ran through past the Argonne Forest, and with a
red pencil marked on the map wherever I saw anything. Above T., at a
height of two thousand five hundred meters, we were under heavy fire.
I was rather uncomfortable. To the right, below us, we saw little
clouds pop up; then a few to the right and left of us. This was the
smoke of the bursting artillery shells. Now, I think nothing about
such things. They never hit as long as you fly over 2,500 meters high,
as we do.
At 7:10 I landed safely here at our camp. And what was the thanks I
got for having sailed around over the enemy's lines for over two and a
half hours? I got a "call down." I had hardly shut off my engine when
Wilhelm came racing over to me. "Where were you? What have you been
doing? Are you crazy? You are not to fly without my permission! You're
not to go up unless I am along." And more of the same stuff. Only
after I had given my word to do as he asked, would he let me alone.
Wednesday evening we had a fine surprise: two of our "missing"
returned. They had been forced to land behind the enemy's line because
their motor had stopped. They were hardly down when the "Pisangs"
(French peasants) came running toward them from every direction. They
managed to get into a nearby woods by beating a hasty retreat. Behind
them they heard the yelling of the men and women. The woods was
surrounded, and they had to hide till night fell. Then they escaped
into the Argonne Forest, under cover of darkness although fired on a
number of times. Here they spent five days, avoiding French troops.
As they had only berries and roots to eat, and could only travel at
night, they were almost ready to surrender. But on the morning of the
seventh day they heard someone say, in German, "Get on the job, you
fool." Those were sweet words to them, for it was a scouting party of
German Dragoons. Thus, they got back to us.
M., SEPTEMBER 10, 1914
Yesterday I went along to the light artillery positions, and from
there had a good view of the battlefield. There really was nothing
to see. There were no large bodies of soldiers, only here and there
a rider or a civilian. The only thing you could see was the smoke
from bursting shells and the burning villages all about. But if there
was nothing to see, there certainly was plenty to hear--the dull
noise of the light artillery, the sharp crash of the field pieces
and the crackling of small arms. On the way we passed an encampment
of reserves. It was a scene exactly like one during the annual
manoeuvers; some were cooking, some strolling about, but most of
them loafed around on their backs, not paying any attention to the
battle at all.
At 5:30 we went up. Now I had a chance to see from the air the same
scene I had just beheld from the ground. There was still heavy firing;
as far as the eye could see villages were burning. At 7:30 we were
down again.
B., SEPTEMBER 16, 1914
Last night three of us tried to take some observations, but all had to
come back, as the clouds were too heavy. This morning it was my turn
to go up, but it was raining. We have to have the fires going to keep
our quarters warm. Next to me a log-fire is burning merrily. My back
is baked to a crisp. When my one side gets too hot, I have to turn to
give the other a chance to roast. Later some of the telegraphers are
coming over and we are going to play "Schafskopf" (a German card
game). _C'est la guerre!_
B., OCTOBER 12, 1914
This evening I received the Iron Cross.
B., OCTOBER 25, 1914
For weeks the weather has been so foggy that we began to consider
ourselves as good as retired. But three days ago it began to become
bearable again. We took good advantage of it. We were in our machines
early in the morning and "worked" till 5:30 at night. I made five
flights to-day. First, Wilhelm, as the observer, did some scout work,
and later did some range-finding for the artillery. We had agreed that
we were to fly above the enemy's positions and then the artillery was
to fire. Then it was Wilhelm's duty, as observer, to see where the
shells struck and signal to our artillery, with colored lights, if the
shots fell short, beyond, to right or left, of the mark. This we do
until our gunners find the range. On the 22d, as a result of this, we
destroyed one of the enemy's batteries. The next day we wiped out
three in three and a half hours. This sort of flying is very trying to
observer and pilot alike, as both have to be paying constant attention
to business.
Yesterday Wilhelm was at headquarters, and returned with the Iron
Cross of the First Class. He has covered a total distance of 6,500
kilometers over the enemy's soil, while I have covered 3,400.
OCTOBER 27, 1914
Wilhelm has discovered nine of the enemy's batteries south of M. and
southeast of Rheims, among them being one right next to the cathedral!
NOVEMBER 5, 1914
As the weather is very poor for flights in mid-day, we do most of our
flying right after sunrise, about 7:30. Things began to liven up at
different points to-day. Our friend, the enemy, had to be taken down a
peg, again. Shortly after 7:30 we started. Everything went well, so
that we were back in an hour. Then we payed another visit to our
artillery. We now fly for four of our batteries, and they only fire
when we give them the range. Whenever they have a target, it is
destroyed at the first opportunity. So we made two more flights
to-day, therefore, a total of three, and put four enemy batteries out
of action. We are doing things wholesale now.
NOVEMBER 10, 1914
Wilhelm has now flown a distance of 9,400, I 7,300, kilometers over
enemy soil.
LETTER OF NOVEMBER 15, 1914
Mother doesn't need to be afraid that continual flying will affect our
nerves. The very opposite is more probable. We get most impatient if
we are kept idle a few days because of poor weather. We stand around
looking out of the window to see if it isn't clearing up. Nerves can
be the excuse for almost anything, I guess.
B., NOVEMBER 30, 1914
I did not get the Fokker as yet. I was to get it at R., Thursday. Too
bad. To fly for the artillery, which is our main work just now, the
Fokker is very excellent, because of its speed, stability and ease of
control. A new machine has been ordered for me at the factory, but I
cannot say if I am going to get it, and when.
P., DECEMBER 9, 1914
Bad weather. No important work. Now, we ought to be in the East, where
there is something doing.
Yesterday I was in R. and got my Fokker, which had arrived in the
meantime. It is a small monoplane, with a French rotary engine in
front; it is about half as large as a Taube. This is the last modern
machine which I have learned to fly; now I can fly all the types we
make in Germany. The Fokker was my big Christmas present. I now have
two machines: the large biplane for long flights and the small Fokker
for range finding. This 'plane flies wonderfully and is very easy to
handle. Now my two children are resting together in a tent, the little
one in a hollow, with its tail under the plane of the big one.
P., JANUARY 21, 1915
Since Christmas we have made the following flights: December 24th, an
hour and a half; December 25th, one hour; December 30th, one hour;
January 6th, one hour; January 12th, four hours; January 18th, two
hours. It was poor weather, so we could not do more than this. There
isn't much use in flying now, anyhow, as long as we do not want to
advance. We are facing each other here for months, and each side knows
the other's position exactly. Changes of position, flanking movements,
and bringing up of strong reserves, as in open warfare, is a thing of
the past when we stick to the trenches, so there is nothing to report.
There would be some sense in flying to find the range, but as we do
not want to advance at present our artillery does very little firing.
It is sufficient at this stage that an airplane takes a peep over the
line once in a while, to see if everything is still as they left it.
P., JANUARY 27, 1915
This morning our Captain gave K. and me the Iron Cross of the First
Class.
P., APRIL 25, 1915
To-morrow I leave here; I have been transferred to the ---- Flying
Squadron, which is just being established. To-morrow I go to Berlin to
report at the inspection of aviators.
P., MAY 16, 1915
Safely back in P. The trip was made in comparatively quick time.
P., MAY 17, 1915
We had to leave here this afternoon, after we had hardly arrived. I am
very glad. New scenery and something doing.
D., MAY 22, 1915
I had hoped to have plenty to do here, but the weather cancelled our
plans. We had plenty of time to establish ourselves, assemble our
machines and tune them up with a few flights.
The city is entirely unharmed and the greater part of the inhabitants
are still here. The city gives an impression similar to Zerbst--a
modern section with cottages and an old section with older houses: the
city hall, remains of the old city wall, and so-forth. The inhabitants
are prosperous. All the stores, hotels, coffee-houses and cafés are
open. Every day two of my friends (Immelmann and Lieutenant P.) and I
go to one of these coffee-houses.
D., MAY 25, 1915
By chance, I witnessed a great military spectacle. As I did not have
to fly in the afternoon, I went to the artillery observer's post with
our Captain. About four o'clock we reached V.; from here we had
another half hour's walk ahead of us. From a distance we could see
there was heavy firing going on. The Major, in the company's
bomb-proof, told us that the artillery would hardly have time now to
avail themselves of airplanes to find the range for them. The French
were just at the time trying to get revenge for an attack we made the
day before, and the artillery was very busy. From there we went to the
observer's post and were very lucky. Our batteries were just firing at
the enemy's, our airplanes finding the range for them. Suddenly the
non-commissioned officer at the double-periscope yelled over to
us that the French were bringing up reinforcements through the
communicating trenches. The Lieutenant of Artillery ran over to the
field artillery and showed them the beautiful target. Soon after that
a few of our shrapnel burst over these positions. Bang! And the enemy
was gone. Suddenly a ball of red fire appeared in the first French
trench. This meant--shells fall ahead of trenches; place shots further
back. Just then, over a front of one and a half kilometers, a whole
brigade of Frenchmen rose from the trenches, shoulder to shoulder, a
thing I had never seen before. We have to admire them for their
courage. In front, the officers about four or five steps in the lead;
behind them, in a dense line, the men, partly negroes, whom we could
recognize by their baggy trousers. The whole line moved on a run. For
the first four hundred meters (in all they had seven hundred meters to
cover) we let them come without firing. Then we let them have our
first shrapnel. As the artillery knew the exact range, the first shots
were effective. Then came the heavier shells. We now opened a
murderous fire; it was so loud that we could not hear each other at
two paces. Again and again our shells struck the dense masses and tore
huge gaps in them, but, in spite of this, the attack continued. The
gaps were always quickly closed. Now our infantry took a hand. Our men
stood up in the trenches, exposed from the hips up, and fired like
madmen. After three or four minutes the attack slackened in spots;
that is, parts of the line advanced, others could not. After a quarter
of an hour the French on our left wing, which I could see, reached our
trenches, shot and stabbed from above, and finally jumped in. Now we
could plainly see the hand-to-hand combat: heads bobbing back and
forth, guns clubbed (they seemed to be only trying to hit, not kill),
glistening bayonets, and a general commotion. On the right wing,
things progressed slower, almost at a standstill. In the middle a
group jumped forward now and then, and into them the artillery fired
with telling effect. We could see men running wildly about, they could
not escape our artillery fire. The whole slope was strewn with bodies.
After about a quarter of an hour the Frenchmen started to retreat.
First one, then two, then three, came out of our trenches, looked all
around, and started for their own trenches. In the meantime more
troops came up from the rear. But after the first few started to run
more came out of the trenches, until finally all were out and
retreating. Our men also got out to be able to fire at the retreating
enemy to better advantage. Again and again the French officers tried
to close up their ranks, rally their men, and lead them anew to the
attack.
But in vain, for more and more sought safety in flight. Many
dropped--I think more than in the advance. In the center, the French
had advanced to within fifty meters of us, and could get no closer. As
the retreat started on the left, some in the center also lost heart,
and fled like frightened chickens. But almost all were killed. I
saw six running away when a shell exploded near them. The smoke
disappeared; there were only four left. A second shell, and only one
was left. He was probably hit by the infantry. The following proves
how completely we repelled their attack: Four Frenchmen rose, waved
their arms and ran toward our trench. Two of them carried a severely
wounded comrade. Suddenly they dropped their burden and ran faster
toward us. Probably their comrades had fired on them. Hardly were
these four in our trenches when fifty more of them got up, waved their
caps and ran toward us. But the Frenchmen didn't like this, and in a
second four well-placed shells burst between them and us; probably
they were afraid that there would be a general surrender on the part
of their men. The retreat was now general. At 6:15 the main battle was
over. Afterward we could see here and there a few Frenchmen running or
crawling to their trench.
I was very glad I had the opportunity to see this. From above, we
aviators don't see such things.
PILOT OF A BATTLEPLANE
D., JUNE 24, 1915
Yesterday the Crown Prince of Bavaria, our chief, inspected our camp.
Here we have gathered samples of about everything that our knowledge
of aviation has developed: Two airplane squadrons and one battleplane
division. Both airplane squadrons are equipped with the usual
biplanes, only we have an improvement: the wireless, by means of which
we direct the fire of our artillery. The battleplane squadron is here
because there is a lot to do at present on this front (the West).
Among them there are some unique machines, for example: a great
battleplane with two motors: for three passengers, and equipped with
a bomb-dropping apparatus--it is a huge apparatus. Outside of this,
there are other battleplanes with machine guns. They are a little
larger than the usual run. Then there are some small Fokker
monoplanes, also with machine guns. So we have everything the heart
can desire. The squadron has only made one flight, but since then the
French haven't been over here. I guess something must have proved an
eye-opener to them.
JUNE 30, 1915
Rain, almost continuously, since the 22d. I am absolutely sick of this
loafing.
Since June 14th, I have a battleplane of my own: a biplane, with
150-horsepower motor. The pilot sits in front; the observer behind
him, operating the machine gun, which can be fired to either side and
to the rear. As the French are trying to hinder our aerial observation
by means of battleplanes, we now have to protect our division while it
flies. When the others are doing range-finding, I go up with them, fly
about in their vicinity, observe with them and protect them from
attack. If a Frenchman wants to attack them, then I make a hawk-like
attack on him, while those who are observing go on unhindered in their
flight. I chase the Frenchman away by flying toward him and firing at
him with the machine gun. It is beautiful to see them run from me;
they always do this as quick as possible. In this way, I have chased
away over a dozen.
[Illustration: THE MASTER-FLIER AND HIS MEN]
[Illustration: BÖLCKE AND HIS BROTHER WILHELM, SEPTEMBER, 1914]
JULY 6, 1915
I succeeded in carrying a battle through to complete victory Sunday
morning. I was ordered to protect Lieutenant P., who was out
range-finding, from enemy 'planes. We were just on our way to the
front, when I saw a French monoplane, at a greater height, coming
toward us. As the higher 'plane has the advantage, we turned away; he
didn't see us, but flew on over our lines. We were very glad, because
lately the French hate to fly over our lines. When over our ground the
enemy cannot escape by volplaning to the earth. As soon as he had
passed us we took up the pursuit. Still he flew very rapidly, and it
took us half an hour till we caught up with him at V. As it seems, he
did not see us till late. Close to V. we started to attack him, I
always heading him off. As soon as we were close enough my observer
started to pepper him with the machine gun. He defended himself as
well as he could, but we were always the aggressor, he having to
protect himself. Luckily, we were faster than he, so he could not flee
from us by turning. We were higher and faster; he below us and slower,
so that he could not escape. By all kinds of manoeuvers he tried to
increase the distance between us; without success, for I was always
close on him. It was glorious. I always stuck to him so that my
observer could fire at close range. We could plainly see everything on
our opponent's monoplane, almost every wire, in fact. The average
distance between us was a hundred meters; often we were within thirty
meters, for at such high speeds you cannot expect success unless you
get very close together. The whole fight lasted about twenty or
twenty-five minutes. By sharp turns, on the part of our opponent, by
jamming of the action on our machine gun, or because of reloading,
there were little gaps in the firing, which I used to close in on the
enemy. Our superiority showed up more and more; at the end I felt just
as if the Frenchman had given up defending himself and lost all hope
of escape. Shortly before he fell, he made a motion with his hand, as
if to say: let us go; we are conquered; we surrender. But what can
you do in such a case, in the air? Then he started to volplane; I
followed. My observer fired thirty or forty more shots at him; then
suddenly he disappeared. In order not to lose him, I planed down, my
machine almost vertical. Suddenly my observer cried, "He is falling;
he is falling," and he clapped me on the back joyously. I did not
believe it at first, for with these monoplanes it is possible to glide
so steeply as to appear to be falling. I looked all over, surprised,
but saw nothing. Then I glided to earth and W. told me that the enemy
machine had suddenly turned over and fallen straight down into the
woods below. We descended to a height of a hundred meters and searched
for ten minutes, flying above the woods, but seeing nothing. So we
decided to land in a meadow near the woods and search on foot.
Soldiers and civilians were running toward the woods from all sides.
They said that the French machine had fallen straight down from a
great height, turned over twice, and disappeared in the trees. This
news was good for us, and it was confirmed by a bicyclist, who had
already seen the fallen machine and said both passengers were dead.
We hurried to get to the spot. On the way Captain W., of the cavalry,
told me that everyone within sight had taken part in the fight, even
if only from below. Everyone was very excited, because none knew which
was the German and which the French, due to the great height. When we
arrived we found officers, doctors and soldiers already there. The
machine had fallen from a height of about 1,800 meters. Since both
passengers were strapped in, they had not fallen out. The machine
had fallen through the trees with tremendous force, both pilot and
observer, of course, being dead. The doctors, who examined them at
once, could not help them any more. The pilot had seven bullet wounds,
the observer three. I am sure both were dead before they fell. We
found several important papers and other matter on them. In the
afternoon my observer, W., and I flew back to D., after a few rounds
of triumph above the village and the fallen airplane. On the following
day, the two aviators were buried with full military honors in the
cemetery at M. Yesterday we were there. The grave is covered with
flowers and at the spot where they fell there is a large red, white
and blue bouquet and many other flowers.
I was very glad that my observer, W., got the Iron Cross. He fought
excellently; in all, he fired three hundred and eighty shots, and
twenty-seven of them hit the enemy airplane.
LETTER OF JULY 16, 1915
... Father asks if it will be all right to publish my report in
the newspapers. I don't care much for newspaper publicity, and I
do not think that my report is written in a style suitable for
newspapers. The people want such a thing written with more poetry
and color--gruesome, nerve-wrecking suspense, complete revenge,
mountainous clouds, blue, breeze-swept sky--that is what they want.
But if the publication of the report will bring you any joy, I will
not be against it.
AUGUST 11, 1915
Early August 10th the weather was very poor so that our officer
'phoned in to the city, saying there was no need of my coming out. So
I was glad to stay in bed. Suddenly my boy woke me up, saying an
English flyer had just passed. I hopped out of bed and ran to the
window. But the Englishman was headed for his own lines, so there
wasn't any chance of my catching him. I crawled back to bed, angry at
being disturbed. I had hardly gotten comfortably warm, when my boy
came in again--the Englishman was coming back. Well, I thought if this
fellow has so much nerve, I had better get dressed. Unwashed, in my
nightshirt, without leggings, hardly half dressed, I rode out to the
camp on my motorcycle. I got there in time to see the fellows (not
one, but four!) dropping bombs on the aviation field. As I was, I got
into my machine and went up after them. But as the English had very
speedy machines and headed for home after dropping their bombs, I did
not get within range of them. Very sad, I turned back and could not
believe my eyes, for there were five more of the enemy paying us a
visit. Straight for the first one I headed. I got him at a good angle,
and peppered him well, but just when I thought the end was near my
machine gun jammed. I was furious. I tried to repair the damage in the
air, but in my rage only succeeded in breaking the jammed cartridge in
half. There was nothing left to do but land and change the cartridges;
while doing this I saw our other monoplanes arrive and was glad that
they, at least, would give the Englishmen a good fight. While having
the damage repaired, I saw Lieutenant Immelmann make a pretty attack
on an Englishman, who tried to fly away. I quickly went up to support
Immelmann, but the enemy was gone by the time I got there. In the
meantime, Immelmann had forced his opponent to land. He had wounded
him, shattering his left arm--Immelmann had had good luck. Two days
before I had flown with him in a Fokker; that is, I did the piloting
and he was only learning. The day before was the first time he had
made a flight alone, and was able to land only after a lot of trouble.
He had never taken part in a battle with the enemy, but in spite of
that, he had handled himself very well.
AUGUST 23, 1915
On the evening of the 19th I had some more luck.
I fly mostly in the evening to chase the Frenchmen who are out
range-finding, and that evening there were a lot of them out. The
first one I went for was an English Bristol biplane. He seemed to take
me for a Frenchman; he came toward me quite leisurely, a thing our
opponents generally don't do. But when he saw me firing at him, he
quickly turned. I followed close on him, letting him have all I could
give him. I must have hit him or his machine, for he suddenly shut
off his engine and disappeared below me. As the fight took place over
the enemy's position, he was able to land behind his own lines.
According to our artillery, he landed right near his own artillery.
That is the second one I am positive I left my mark on; I know I
forced him to land. He didn't do it because he was afraid, but because
he was hit.
The same evening I attacked two more, and both escaped by volplaning.
But I cannot say whether or not I hit them, as both attacks took place
over the French lines.
AUGUST 29, 1915
Day before yesterday I flew my Fokker to the division at ----, where
from now on I am to serve with the rank of officer. I am to get a
newer, more powerful machine--100-horsepower engine. Yesterday I again
had a chance to demonstrate my skill as a swimmer. The canal, which
passes in front of the Casino, is about 25 meters wide and 2-1/2
meters deep. The tale is told here that there are fish in the water,
too, and half the town stands around with their lines in the water. I
have never yet seen any of them catch anything. In front of the Casino
there is a sort of bank, where they unload the boats. Yesterday, after
lunch, I was standing outside the door with T. and saw a French boy
climb over the rail, start in fishing and suddenly hop into the water.
I ran over to see what he was doing, but he wasn't in sight. This
seemed peculiar, so I wasted no time in thought, but dived over after
him. This all happened so quickly that T. was just in time to see me
go in and did not know what was the matter. I came to the surface, but
still alone. Then I saw, not far from me, bubbles and someone
struggling in the water. I swam over to him, dived, came up under him,
and had him. In the meantime T. and the chauffeur had arrived and T.
thought I was going to drown and got ready to go in after me. Finally
we got to a nearby boat and T. pulled the boy and me out. When we got
to the land the mother of the boy came running up and thanked me most
profusely. The rest of the population gave me a real ovation. I must
have looked funny, because I had jumped in as I was and the water was
streaming off me.
SEPTEMBER 18, 1915
To-day I went to see the boy's parents and they were very grateful.
The boy had grown dizzy while standing on the bank and had fallen in.
They said they would get the order of the French Legion of Honor for
me if they could. That would be a good joke.
Lately, I have flown to the front every evening with Lieutenant
Immelmann, to chase the Frenchmen there. As there are usually eight or
ten of them, we have plenty to do. Saturday we had the luck to get a
French battleplane and between us chase it till it was at a loss what
to do. Only by running away did it escape us. The French did not like
this at all. The next evening we went out peacefully to hunt the enemy
and were struck right away by their great numbers. Suddenly they went
crazy and attacked us. They had a new type biplane, very fast, with
fuselage. They seemed to be surprised that we let them attack us. We
were glad that at last we had an opponent who did not run the first
chance he got. After a few vain attacks, they turned and we followed,
each of us took one and soon forced them to volplane to earth. As it
was already late, we were satisfied and turned to go home. Suddenly I
saw two enemy 'planes cruising around over our lines. Since our men in
the trenches might think we were afraid, I made a signal for Immelmann
to take a few more turns over the lines to show this was not so. But
he misunderstood me and attacked one of the Frenchmen, but the
latter did not relish this. Meanwhile the second 'plane started
for Immelmann, who could not see him, and I naturally had to go to
Immelmann's aid. When the second Frenchman saw me coming he turned and
made for me. I let him have a few shots so that he turned away when
things got too hot for him. That was a big mistake, for it gave me a
chance to get him from behind. This is the position from which I
prefer to attack. I was close on his heels and not more than fifty
meters separated us, so it was not long before I had hit him. I must
have mortally wounded the pilot, for suddenly he threw both his arms
up and the machine fell straight down. I saw him fall and he turned
several times before striking, about 400 meters in front of our lines.
Everybody was immensely pleased, and it has been established beyond
all doubt that both aviators were killed and the machine wrecked.
Immelmann also saw him fall, and was immensely pleased by our success.
M., SEPTEMBER 23, 1915
Sunday night I unexpectedly received a telegram saying I had been
transferred. As yet there is no machine here for me, so, for the time
being, I have nothing to do.
M., SEPTEMBER 27, 1915
I was casually wandering through the streets; stopped to read the
daily bulletins, and there was my name.
It happened the third day of my stay here. As my machines had not yet
arrived, the Captain loaned me a Fokker. I was told to be ready at
nine o'clock, as the others were to protect the Kaiser, who was
breakfasting in a nearby castle. As I wanted to get acquainted with my
machine, I went up at a quarter of nine. I was up about three or four
minutes when I saw bombs bursting and three or four enemy 'planes
flying toward M. I quickly tried to climb to their altitude. This, of
course, always takes some time, and by that time the enemy was over
M., unloading their bombs on the railroad station. Luckily they hit
nothing. After they had all dropped their bombs (there were now ten of
them) they turned to go home. I was now about at their altitude, so I
started for them. One of the biplanes saw me--it seems they go along
to protect the others--and he attacked me from above. Since it is very
hard to fire at an opponent who is above you, I let him have a few
shots and turned away. That was all the Frenchman wanted, so he
turned back. I again attacked the squadron and soon succeeded in
getting in range of the lowest of them. I did not fire till I was
within a hundred meters, to avoid attracting unnecessary attention. My
opponent was frightened and tried to escape. I was right behind him
all the while, and kept filling him with well-aimed shots. My only
worry was the others, who heard the shots and came to their comrade's
rescue. I had to hurry. I noticed I was having some success, because
the Frenchman started to glide to earth. Finally, both of us had
dropped from 2,500 meters to 1,200. I kept firing at him from behind,
as well as I could. In the meantime, however, two of his friends had
arrived and sent me several friendly greetings. That isn't very
comfortable, and to add to it all, I was without a map above a strange
territory and did not know where I was any longer. As my opponent kept
flying lower and his companions followed, I had to assume I was behind
the enemy's line. Therefore, I ceased my attack and soon, owing to my
speed and lack of desire to follow on the part of the French, I left
them far behind. Now I had to find my way back. I flew north, and
after a time got back to the district around M., which was familiar to
me from my days at the officers' school. When I got back I only knew
what I have told, and could report only a battle and not a victory.
By aid of a map I found I had been over P. à M. In the afternoon the
report came that the infantry on the heights of ---- had seen a
biplane "flutter" to earth. The artillery positively reported that the
biplane I had fired on had fallen behind the enemy's barbed-wire
entanglements. They said the pilot had been dragged to the trenches,
dead or severely wounded. Then our artillery had fired at the 'plane
and destroyed it. I can only explain the thing this way: I wounded the
pilot during the fight; he had tried to glide to earth and land behind
his own lines; shortly before landing he lost consciousness or control
of his machine; then he "fluttered" to earth; _i.e._, fell. This was
the fourth one.
OCTOBER 17, 1915
Yesterday, the 16th, I shot down a French Voisin biplane near P.
R., NOVEMBER 2, 1915
On the 30th of October we attacked at T. It was our business to break
up all scouting on the part of the enemy, and that was difficult that
day. The clouds were only 1,500 meters above earth, broken in spots.
The French were sailing around behind their front on the 1,400-meter
level. Attacked two through the clouds. The first escaped. I got
within 100 meters of the second before he saw me. Then he started to
run, but that didn't help him any, because I was much faster than he.
I fired 500 shots before he fell. Was within three to five meters of
him. He would not fall. In the very moment when we seemed about to
collide, I turned off to the left. He tilted to the right. I saw
nothing more of him. Was very dizzy myself. Was followed by two
Farmans and was 1,000 meters behind the enemy's lines. Artillery
fired. Too high. Got home without being hit. The enemy airplane fell
behind his own lines. The wreck, about 200 meters from our lines, is
plainly visible, especially one wing, which is sticking straight up.
The attack was rather rash on my part, but on this day of great
military value; the French did not come near our position after that.
D., DECEMBER 12, 1915
Am once more in the familiar town of D. Everything is the same as
usual. The Captain was very glad that he could give me the life-saving
medal. It had just arrived.
D., DECEMBER 31, 1915
Christmas celebrated very nicely and in comfort. Christmas Eve we
had a celebration for the men in one of the hangars, which was all
decorated. They all received some fine presents. The authorities had
sent a package with all kinds of things for each one of them. In the
evening we officers also had a little celebration at the Casino; here
they also gave out our presents. For me there was a very beautiful
silver cup, among other things. This cup was inscribed "To the victor
in the air," and was given to me by the Commander-in-Chief of the
Aviation Corps. Immelmann received its mate.
Day before yesterday I had a fight with a very keen opponent, who
defended himself bravely. I was superior to him and forced him into
the defensive. He tried to escape by curving and manoeuvring, and
even tried to throw me on the defensive. He did not succeed, but I
could not harm him either. All I did accomplish was to force him
gradually closer to earth. We had started at 2,800 and soon I had him
down to 1,000 meters. We kept whirring and whizzing around each other.
As I had already fired on two other enemy craft on this trip, I had
only a few cartridges left. This was his salvation. Finally he could
not defend himself any more because I had mortally wounded his
observer. Now it would have been comparatively safe for me to get him
if I had not run out of ammunition at the 800-meter level. Neither of
us was able to harm the other. Finally another Fokker (Immelmann) came
to my rescue and the fight started all over again. I attacked along
with Immelmann to confuse the Englishman. We succeeded in forcing him
to within 100 meters of the ground and were expecting him to land any
moment. Still he kept flying back and forth like a lunatic. I, by
flying straight at him, wanted to put a stop to this, but just then
my engine stopped and I had to land. I saw him disappear over a row of
trees, armed myself with a flashlight (I had nothing better) and rode
over on a horse. I expected that he had landed, but imagine my
surprise! He had flown on. I inquired and telephoned, but found out
nothing. In the evening the report came that he had passed over our
trenches at a height of 100 meters on his way home. Daring of the
chap! Not every one would care to imitate him. Immelmann had jammed
his gun and had to quit.
JANUARY 8, 1916
On the 5th of January I pursued two Englishmen, overtook them at
H.-L. and attacked the first one. The other did not seem to see me;
at any rate he kept right on. The fight was comparatively short. I
attacked, he defended himself; I hit and he didn't. He had dropped
considerably in the meantime, and finally started to sway and landed.
I stayed close behind him, so he could not escape. Close to H. he
landed; his machine broke apart, the pilot jumped out and collapsed. I
quickly landed and found the 'plane already surrounded by people from
the nearby village. The Englishmen, whom I interviewed, were both
wounded. The pilot, who was only slightly wounded, could talk German;
the observer was severely wounded. The former was very sad at his
capture; I had hit his controls and shot them to pieces. Yesterday I
visited the observer at the hospital; the pilot had been taken away in
the meantime. I brought the observer English books and photographs of
his machine. He was very pleased. He said he knew my name well.
On the afternoon of the 5th, I made another flight, but everything was
quiet. I landed and rode to the city to eat with the rest, because it
was getting cloudy again. Just imagine my luck! I was hardly in when a
squadron of ten 'planes appeared. I hurried back again and arrived
just as they were dropping their bombs on our field. All the helpers
were in the bomb-proofs. I howled as if I were being burned alive.
At last someone came. I had to take an 80-horsepower machine,
because Immelmann, who had remained behind, had already taken my
160-horsepower machine. But with the 80-horsepower machine I could not
reach the enemy in time. Then I saw one somewhat separated from the
rest. One Fokker had already attacked it, and I went to help him, for
I saw I could not overtake the rest. When the Englishman saw both of
us on top of him, he judged things were too hot for him, and quickly
landed at V., both of us close behind him. The Englishman was alone,
still had all his bombs, was unwounded and had only landed through
fear.
[Illustration: DONNING HIS FLYING-DRESS]
[Illustration: AN AVIATOR BOMBARDED WITH SHRAPNEL]
JANUARY 15, 1916
Now, events come so fast I cannot keep up with them by writing.
On the 11th we had a little gathering that kept me up later than
usual, so I did not feel like getting up in the morning. But, as the
weather was good, I strolled out to the field and went up about nine
o'clock. I flew over to Lille to lie in wait for any hostile aircraft.
At first, I had no luck at all. Finally I saw bombs bursting near
Ypres. I flew so far I could see the ocean, but am sorry to say I
could not find any enemy 'plane. On my way back, I saw two Englishmen,
west of Lille, and attacked the nearer one. He did not appreciate the
attention, but turned and ran. Just above the trenches I came within
gunshot of him. We greeted each other with our machine guns, and he
elected to land. I let him go to get at the second of the pair, and
spoil his visit, also. Thanks to my good machine, I gradually caught
up with him, as he flew toward the east, north of Lille. When I was
still four or five hundred meters away from him, he seemed to have
seen all he wanted, for he turned to fly west. Then I went for him. I
kept behind him till I was near enough. The Englishman seemed to be an
old hand at this game, for he let me come on without firing a shot. He
didn't shoot until after I started. I flew squarely behind him, and
had all the time in the world to aim, because he did not vary a hair
from his straight course. He twice reloaded his gun. Suddenly, after
only a short while, he fell. I was sure I had hit the pilot. At 800
meters, his machine righted itself, but then dove on, head-foremost,
till it landed in a garden in M., northeast of S. The country is very
rough there, so I went back to our landing-place and reported by
telephone. To my surprise, I heard that at the time Immelmann had shot
down an Englishman near P. I had to laugh.
The greatest surprise came in the evening. We were just at dinner
when I was called to the 'phone. At the other end was the
Commander-in-Chief's Adjutant, who congratulated me for receiving
the order _Pour le mérite._ I thought he was joking. But he told me
that Immelmann and I had both received this honor at the telegraphic
order of the Kaiser. My surprise and joy were great. I went in and
said nothing, but sent Captain K. to the 'phone, and he received
the news and broke it to all. First, everyone was surprised, then
highly pleased. On the same evening I received several messages of
congratulation, and the next day, January 13th, had nothing to do
all day but receive other such messages.
Everybody seemed elated. One old chap would not let me go, and I
didn't escape till I promised to visit him. From all comers I received
messages: by telephone and telegraph. The King of Bavaria, who
happened to be in Lille with the Bavarian Crown Prince, invited me to
dinner for the 14th of January.
Now comes the best of all. On the 14th, that is, yesterday, it was
ideal weather for flying. So I went up at nine o'clock to look around.
As it was getting cloudy near Lille, I changed my course to take me
south of Arras. I was up hardly an hour, when I saw the smoke of
bursting bombs near P. I flew in that direction, but the Englishman
who was dropping the bombs saw me and started for home. I soon
overtook him.
When he saw I intended to attack him, he suddenly turned and attacked
me. Now, there started the hardest fight I have as yet been in. The
Englishman continually tried to attack me from behind, and I tried to
do the same to him. We circled 'round and 'round each other. I had
taken my experience of December 28th to heart (that was the time I had
used up all my ammunition), so I only fired when I could get my sights
on him. In this way, we circled around, I often not firing a shot for
several minutes. This merry-go-round was immaterial to me, since we
were over our lines. But I watched him, for I felt that sooner or
later he would make a dash for home. I noticed that while circling
around he continually tried to edge over toward his own lines, which
were not far away. I waited my chance, and was able to get at him in
real style, shooting his engine to pieces. This I noticed when he
glided toward his own lines, leaving a tail of smoke behind him. I had
to stop him in his attempt to reach safety, so, in spite of his
wrecked motor, I had to attack him again. About 200 meters inside our
positions I overtook him, and fired both my guns at him at close range
(I no longer needed to save my cartridges). At the moment when I
caught up to him, we passed over our trenches and I turned back. I
could not determine what had become of him, for I had to save myself
now. I flew back, and as I had little fuel left, I landed near the
village of F. Here I was received by the Division Staff and was told
what had become of the Englishman. To my joy, I learned that,
immediately after I had left him, he had come to earth near the
English positions. The trenches are only a hundred meters apart at
this place. One of the passengers, the pilot, it seems, jumped out and
ran to the English trenches. He seems to have escaped, in spite of the
fact that our infantry fired at him. Our field artillery quickly
opened fire on his machine, and among the first shots one struck it
and set it afire. The other aviator, probably the pilot, who was
either dead or severely wounded, was burned up with the machine.
Nothing but the skeleton of the airplane remains. As my helpers did
not come till late, I rode to D. in the Division automobile, because
I had to be with the King of Bavaria at 5:30. From D. I went directly
on to Lille. King and Crown Prince both conversed with me for quite a
while, and they were especially pleased at my most recent success.
Once home, I began to see the black side of being a hero. Everyone
congratulates you. All ask you questions. I shall soon be forced to
carry a printed interrogation sheet with me with answers all filled
out. I was particularly pleased by my ninth success, because it
followed so close on the _Pour le mérite_.
S., MARCH 16, 1916
Since March 11th I am here in S. As the lines near Verdun have all
been pushed ahead, we were too far in the rear. We saw nothing of the
enemy aviators; the reports came too late, so that we were not as
timely as formerly. Therefore, they let me pick out a place nearer
the lines. I chose a good meadow. I am entirely independent; have
an automobile of my own, also a motor truck, and command of a
non-commissioned officer and fifteen men. We are so near the front
that we can see every enemy airplane that makes a flight in our
vicinity. In the first days of our stay here, I had good luck. The
weather was good on March 12th. We had a lot to do. I started about
eleven to chase two French Farman biplanes, who were circling around
over L'homme mort. By the time I arrived there were four of them. I
waited for a good chance, and as soon as two of them crossed our front
I went for the upper one. There now ensued a pretty little game. The
two Frenchmen stuck together like brothers; but I would not let go of
the one I had tackled first. The second Frenchman, on his part, tried
to stick behind me. It was a fine game. The one I was attacking
twisted and spiralled to escape. I got him from behind and forced him
to the 500-meter level. I was very close to him and quite surprised
that he had stopped his twisting; but just as I was about to give him
the finishing shots, my machine gun stopped. I had pressed down too
hard on the trigger mechanism, in the heat of the battle, and this
had jammed. The second Frenchman now attacked me, and I escaped while
I could. The second fight took place over our lines. The first
Frenchman, as I learned later, had gotten his share. He was just able
to glide to the French side of the Meuse, and here he landed,
according to some reports; others say he fell. I am inclined to
believe the former, but probably he could not pick a good spot in
which to land, and so broke his machine. From Lieutenant R. I heard
that the machine, as well as an automobile, that came to its aid, were
set afire by our artillery. I learned further details from Lieutenant
B. After landing, one of the aviators ran to the village, returned
with a stretcher and helped carry the other one away. Things seem to
have happened like this: I wounded the pilot; he was just able to make
a landing; then, with the aid of his observer, he was carried off, and
our artillery destroyed his machine.
On the following day, the 13th, there was again great aerial activity.
Early in the morning I came just in time to see a French battleplane
attack a German above Fort Douaumont. I went for the Frenchman and
chased him away--it was beautiful to see him go. In the afternoon, I
saw a French squadron flying above L'homme mort, toward D. I picked
out one of them and went for him. It was a Voisin biplane, that
lagged somewhat behind the rest. As I was far above him, I overtook
him rapidly and attacked him before he fully realized the situation.
As soon as he did, he turned to cross back over the French front. I
attacked him strongly, and he tilted to the right and disappeared
under me. I thought he was falling; turned to keep him in sight, and,
to my surprise, saw that the machine had righted itself. Again I went
for him, and saw a very strange sight. The observer had climbed out of
his seat and was on the left plane, holding to the struts. He looked
frightened, and it was really a sorry plight to be in. He was
defenseless, and I hesitated to shoot at him. I had evidently put
their controls out of commission, and the machine had fallen. To
right it, the observer had climbed out on the plane and restored its
equilibrium. I fired a few more shots at the pilot, when I was
attacked by a second Frenchman, coming to the rescue of his comrade.
As I had only a few shots left and was above the enemy's line, I
turned back. The enemy 'plane glided on a little distance after I
left, but finally fell from a low altitude. It is lying in plain
sight, in front of our positions east of the village of D.
We have now spoiled the Frenchmen's fun. On March 14th I again
attacked one of their battleplanes, and it seemed in a great hurry to
get away from me. I accompanied him a little way, playing the music
with my machine gun. He descended behind Fort M., as reported later
by our soldiers.
MARCH 17, 1916
Last evening I was invited to dine with the Crown Prince. It was very
pleasant. He does not value etiquette, and is very unassuming and
natural. He pumped all possible information out of me, as he himself
admitted later. We had quite a long talk, and on my taking leave he
said he would wish for me that I would soon bring down the twelfth
enemy.
S., MARCH 21, 1916
Twelve and thirteen followed close on each other. As the weather was
fine, we had a lot to do every day. On the 19th I was flying toward
D., in the afternoon, to get two Farmans, who were cruising around
behind their front. About 12:45 I saw bombs bursting on the west side
of the Meuse. I came just in time to see the enemy flying back over
his own lines. I thought he had escaped me when I saw him turn and
start for one of our biplanes. That was bad for him, because I got the
chance to attack him from above. As soon as he saw me, he tried to
escape by steep spirals, firing at me at the same time.
But no one who is as frightened as he was ever hits anything. I never
fired unless certain of my aim, and so filled him with well-placed
shots. I had come quite close to him, when I saw him suddenly upset;
one wing broke off, and his machine gradually separated, piece by
piece. As there was a south wind, we had drifted over our positions,
and he fell into our trenches. Pilot and observer were both killed. I
had hit the pilot a number of times, so that death was instantaneous.
The infantry sent us various things found in the enemy 'plane, among
them a machine gun and an automatic camera. The pictures were
developed, and showed our artillery positions.
This morning I started at 9:50, as our anti-aircraft guns were firing
at a Farman biplane above Côte de ----. The enemy was flying back and
forth in the line Ch-- to Ch--. At 10:10 I was above him, as well as
another Farman, flying above M. As the Farman again approached our
position, I started to attack him. The anti-aircraft guns were also
firing, but I imagine they were only finding the range, since their
shots did not come near the Frenchman. At the moment when the one
Farman turned toward the south, I started for the other, who was
flying somewhat lower. He saw me coming, and tried to avoid an
engagement by spiral glides. As he flew very cleverly, it was some
time before I got within range. At an altitude of five or six hundred
meters I opened fire, while he was still trying to reach his own
lines. But in pursuing him, I had come within two hundred meters of
the road from M. to Ch., so I broke off the attack. My opponent gave
his engine gas (I could plainly see the smoke of his exhaust) and
flew away toward the southeast. The success I had two hours later
reimbursed me for this failure. In the morning, at about eleven
o'clock, I saw a German biplane in battle with a Farman west of O. I
swooped down on the Farman from behind, while another Fokker came to
our aid from above. In the meantime, I had opened fire on the Farman
(who had not seen me at all) at a range of eighty meters. As I had
come from above, at a steep angle, I had soon overtaken him. In the
very moment as I was passing over him he exploded. The cloud of black
smoke blew around me. It was no battle at all; he had fallen in the
shortest possible time. It was a tremendous spectacle: to see the
enemy burst into flames and fall to earth, slowly breaking to pieces.
The reports that I have been wounded in the head, arms, neck, legs, or
abdomen, are all foolish. Probably the people who are always inquiring
about me, will now discredit such rumors.
APRIL 29, 1916
Thursday morning, at nine, as I arrived in S., after a short trip to
Germany, two Frenchmen appeared--the first seen in the last four
weeks. I quickly rode out to the field, but came too late. I saw one
of our biplanes bring one of the enemies to earth; the other escaped.
I flew toward the front at Verdun, and came just in time for a little
scrape. Three Frenchmen had crossed over our lines and been attacked
by a Fokker, who got into difficulties, and had to retreat. I came to
his aid; attacked one of the enemy, and peppered him properly. The
whole bunch then took to their heels. But I did not let my friend
escape so easily. He twisted and turned, flying with great cleverness.
I attacked him three times from the rear, and once diagonally in
front. Finally, he spiralled steeply, toppled over and flew for a
while with the wheels up. Then he dropped. According to reports from
the ---- Reserve Division, he fell in the woods southwest of V.,
after turning over twice more. That was number 14.
S., MAY 9, 1916
On May 1st I saw an enemy biplane above the "Pfefferrücken," as I was
standing at our landing station. I started at once, and overtook him
at 1,500 meters altitude. It seems he did not see me. I attacked from
above and behind, and greeted him with the usual machine-gun fire. He
quickly turned and attacked me. But this pleasure did not last long
for him. I quickly had him in a bad way, and made short work of him.
After a few more twists and turns my fire began to tell, and finally
he fell. I then flew home, satisfied that I had accomplished my task.
The whole thing only lasted about two minutes.
JUNE 2, 1916
On the 17th of May we had a good day. One of our scout 'planes wanted
to take some pictures near Verdun, and I was asked to protect it. I
met him above the Côte de ---- and flew with him at a great altitude.
He worked without being disturbed, and soon turned back without having
been fired at. On the way back, I saw bombs bursting at Douaumont and
flew over to get a closer view. There were four or five other German
biplanes there; I also noticed several French battleplanes at a
distance. I kept in the background and watched our opponents. I saw a
Nieuport attack one of our machines, so I went for him and I almost
felt I had him; but my speed was too great, and I shot past him. He
then made off at great speed; I behind him. Several times I was very
near him, and fired, but he flew splendidly. I followed him for a
little while longer, but he did not appreciate this. Meanwhile, the
other French battleplanes had come up, and started firing at me. I
flew back over our lines and waited for them there. One, who was much
higher than the rest, came and attacked me; we circled around several
times and then he flew away. I was so far below him that it was hard
to attack him at all. But I could not let him deprive me of the
pleasure of following him for a while. During this tilt, I dropped
from 4,000 meters to a height of less than 2,000. Our biplanes had
also drifted downward.
Suddenly, at an altitude of 4,700 meters, I saw eight of the enemy's
Caudrons. I could hardly believe my eyes! They were flying in pairs,
as if attached to strings, in perfect line. They each had two engines,
and were flying on the line Meuse-Douaumont. It was a shame! Now, I
had to climb to their altitude again. So I stayed beneath a pair of
them and tried to get at them. But, as they were flying so high and
would not come down toward me, I had no success. Shortly before they
were over our kite-balloons they turned. So fifteen or twenty minutes
passed. Finally I reached their height. I attacked from below, and
tried to give them something to remember me by, but they paid no
attention to me, and flew home. Just then, above Côte de ----, I saw
two more Caudrons appear, and, thank goodness, they were below me. I
flew toward them, but they were already across the Meuse. Just in
time, I looked up, and saw a Nieuport and a Caudron coming down toward
me. I attacked the more dangerous opponent first, and so flew straight
toward the Nieuport. We passed each other firing, but neither of us
were hit. I was only striving to protect myself. When flying toward
each other, it is very difficult to score a hit because of the
combined speed of the two craft. I quickly turned and followed close
behind the enemy. Then the other Caudron started to manoeuver the
same way, only more poorly than the Nieuport. I followed him, and was
just about to open fire when a Fokker came to my aid, and attacked the
Caudron. As we were well over the French positions, the latter glided,
with the Fokker close behind him. The Nieuport saw this, and came to
the aid of his hard-pressed companion; I in turn followed the
Nieuport. It was a peculiar position: below, the fleeing Caudron;
behind him, the Fokker; behind the Fokker, the Nieuport, and I, last
of all, behind the Nieuport. We exchanged shots merrily. Finally the
Fokker let the Caudron go, and the Nieuport stopped chasing the
Fokker. I fired my last shots at the Nieuport and went home. The whole
farce lasted over an hour. We had worked hard, but without visible
success. At least, the Fokker (who turned out to be Althaus) and I had
dominated the field.
On the 18th of May I got Number 16. Toward evening I went up and found
our biplanes everywhere around Verdun. I felt superfluous there, so
went off for a little trip. I wanted to have a look at the Champagne
district once more, and flew to A. and back. Everywhere there was
peace: on earth as well as in the air. I only saw one airplane, in the
distance at A. On my way back I had the good luck to see two bombs
bursting at M., and soon saw a Caudron near me. The Frenchman had not
seen me at all. He was on his way home, and suspected nothing. As he
made no move to attack or escape, I kept edging closer without firing.
When I was about fifty meters away from them, and could see both
passengers plainly, I started a well-aimed fire. He immediately tilted
and tried to escape below me, but I was so close to him it was too
late. I fired quite calmly. After about 150 shots I saw his left
engine smoke fiercely and then burst into flame. The machine turned
over, buckled, and burned up. It fell like a plummet into the French
second line trenches, and continued to burn there.
On May 20th I again went for a little hunting trip in the Champagne
district, and attacked a Farman north of V. I went for him behind his
own lines, and he immediately started to land. In spite of this, I
followed him, because his was the only enemy machine in sight. I stuck
to him and fired, but he would not fall. The pilot of a Farman machine
is well protected by the motor, which is behind him. Though you can
kill the observer, and riddle the engine and tanks, they are always
able to escape by gliding. But in this case, I think I wounded the
pilot also, because the machine made the typical lengthwise tilt that
shows it is out of control. But as the fight was too far behind the
French front, I flew home.
The next day I again had tangible results. In the afternoon I flew on
both sides of the Meuse. On the French side two French battleplanes
were flying at a great altitude; I could not reach them. I was about
to turn back, and was gliding over L'homme mort, when I saw two
Caudrons below me, who had escaped my observation till then. I went
after them, but they immediately flew off. I followed, and at a
distance of 200 meters, attacked the one; at that very instant I saw a
Nieuport coming toward me. I was anxious to give him something to
remember me by, so I let the Caudrons go and flew due north. The
Nieuport came after me, thinking I had not seen him. I kept watching
him until he was about 200 meters away. Then I quickly turned my
machine and flew toward him. He was frightened by this, turned his
machine and flew south. By my attack, I had gained about 100 meters,
so that at a range of 100 to 150 meters, I could fill his fuselage
with shots. He made work easy for me by flying in a straight line.
Besides, I had along ammunition by means of which I could determine
the path of my shots. My opponent commenced to get unsteady, but I
could not follow him till he fell. Not until evening did I learn from
a staff officer that the infantry at L'homme mort had reported the
fall of the machine. In the evening, I went out again, without any
particular objective, and after a number of false starts I had some
success. I was flying north of Bois de ----, when I saw a Frenchman
flying about. I made believe I was flying away, and the Frenchman was
deceived by my ruse and came after me, over our positions. Now I
swooped down on him with tremendous speed (I was much higher than he).
He turned, but could not escape me. Close behind the French lines, I
caught up with him. He was foolish enough to fly straight ahead, and I
pounded him with a continuous stream of well-placed shots. I kept this
up till he caught fire. In the midst of this he exploded, collapsed,
and fell to earth. As he fell, one wing broke off. So, in one day, I
had gotten Numbers 17 and 18.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
JULY 4, 1916
I was at S. collecting all the equipment of my division. As all the
authorities helped me quickly and well, I was ready to move on June
30th. Imagine my bad luck: just on this very day I was destined to
make my exit from the stage. It was like this:
Near Verdun there was not much to do in the air. Scouting had been
almost dropped. One day, when there was a little more to do than
usual, I had gone up twice in the morning and was loafing around on
the field. I suddenly heard machine-gun firing in the air and saw a
Nieuport attacking one of our biplanes. The German landed and told me,
all out of breath:
"The devil is loose on the front. Six Americans are up. I could
plainly see the American flag on the fuselage. They were quite bold;
came all the way across the front."
I didn't imagine things were quite so bad, and decided to go up and
give the Americans a welcome. They were probably expecting it;
politeness demanded it. I really met them above the Meuse. They were
flying back and forth quite gaily, close together. I flew toward them,
and greeted the first one with my machine gun. He seemed to be quite a
beginner; at any rate, I had no trouble in getting to within 100
meters of him, and had him well under fire. As he was up in the clouds
and flew in a straight course, I was justified in expecting to bring
him to earth soon. But luck was not with me. I had just gotten my
machine back from the factory, and after firing a few shots my gun
jammed. In vain I tried to remedy the trouble. While still bothering
with my gun the other "five Americans" were on me. As I could not
fire, I preferred to retreat, and the whole swarm were after me. I
tried to speed up my departure by tilting my machine to the left and
letting it drop. A few hundred meters, and I righted it. But they
still followed. I repeated the manoeuver and flew home, little
pleased but unharmed. I only saw that the Americans were again flying
where I had found them.[A] This angered me and I immediately got into
my second machine and went off again. I was hardly 1,500 meters high
when with a loud crash my motor broke apart, and I had to land in a
meadow at C.
[Footnote A: The result of this was that the English wireless news
service asserted the next day: "Yesterday Adjutant Ribière succeeded
in bringing down the famous Captain Bölcke in an air battle at
Verdun." In the meantime I have relieved him of this misapprehension.]
We made another pretty flight this day. The district around B. and
west of Verdun was to be photographed by a scout division. Captain V.
was to go over with the squadron, and asked me to go with two other
Fokkers to protect them. I went with them, and as I kept close to
them, I was right at hand when two French battleplanes attacked. The
first one did not approach very close, but the second attacked the
biplane which carried Captain V. As he was just then engaged in
looking through his binoculars, he did not see the machine approach.
The pilot, also, did not notice it till the last moment. Then he made
such a sharp turn that Captain V. almost fell out. I came to their
aid; the Frenchman started to run. I could hardly aim at him at all,
he flew in such sharp curves and zigzags. At 1,800 meters' elevation,
I fired a few parting shots and left him. I was sure he would not do
us any more harm. As one of the wires to a spark-plug had broken, my
engine was not running right, so I turned and went home. The squadron
had all the time in the world to take photographs, and was quite
satisfied with results. The machine I had attacked was first reported
as having fallen, but later this was denied.
Now came the extremely sad news of Immelmann's death. One evening we
received word he had fallen. I first thought it was one of the usual
rumors, but, to my deep sorrow, it was later confirmed by staff
officers. They said his body was being taken to Dresden. I, therefore,
immediately asked for leave to fly to D.
It was very impressive. Immelmann lay in the courtyard of a hospital,
on a wonderful bier. Everywhere there were pedestals with torches
burning on them.
Immelmann lost his life through a foolish accident. Everything the
papers write about a battle in the air is nonsense. A part of his
propeller broke off and, due to the jerk, the wire braces of the
fuselage snapped. The fuselage then broke off. Aside from the great
personal loss we have suffered, I feel the moral effect of his death
on the enemy is not to be underrated.
I made good use of my chance to again attack the English at D. I liked
it so well, I kept postponing my return to S. One evening I flew a
Halberstadt biplane; this was the first appearance of these machines
at the front. As it is somewhat similar to an English B.-E., I
succeeded in completely fooling an Englishman. I got to within fifty
meters of him and fired a number of shots at him. But as I was flying
quite rapidly, and was not as familiar with the new machine as with
the Fokker, I did not succeed in hitting him right away. I passed
beneath him, and he turned and started to descend. I followed him, but
my cartridge belt jammed and I could not fire. I turned away, and
before I had repaired the damage he was gone.
The next day I had two more opportunities to attack Englishmen. The
first time, it was a squadron of six Vickers' machines. I started as
they were over L., and the other Fokkers from D. went with me. As I
had the fastest machine, I was first to reach the enemy. I picked out
one and shot at him, with good results; his motor (behind the pilot)
puffed out a great quantity of yellow smoke. I thought he would fall
any moment, but he escaped by gliding behind his own line. According
to the report of our infantry, he was seen to land two kilometers
behind the front. I could not finish him entirely, because my left gun
had run out of ammunition, and the right one had jammed. In the
meantime, the other Fokkers had reached the English. I saw one
160-horsepower machine (Mulzer, pilot,) attack an Englishman in fine
style, but as the Englishman soon received aid, I had to come to
Mulzer's rescue. So I drove the one away from Mulzer; my enemy did
not know I was unable to fire at him. Mulzer saw and recognized me,
and again attacked briskly. To my regret, he had only the same success
I had had a while before, and as Mulzer turned to go home, I did
likewise. In the afternoon, I again had a chance at an Englishman, but
he escaped in the clouds.
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince had telephoned once, and our staff officer
several times, for me to return. I had at first said I would wait for
better weather, so they finally told me to take the train back if it
was poor weather. So I saw it was no use, and the next morning I flew
back to S. Here I found a telegram for me: "Captain Bölcke is to
report at once to the Commander-in-Chief of the Aerial Division. He is
to be at the disposal of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army." My joy
was great, for I expected to be sent to the Second Army, where the
English offensive was just beginning. In the afternoon I reported to
the Crown Prince, and there I began to have doubts, for he left me in
the dark as to my future. On the next day I reported to the Chief of
the Aerial Division at C., and here all my expectations were proven
unfounded. For the present, I was not to fly, but was to rest at C.
for my "nerves." You can imagine my rage. I was to stay at a
watering-place in C. and gaze into the sky. If I had any wish I just
needed to express it, only I was not to fly. You can imagine my rage.
When I saw that I could do nothing against this decision, I resolved
that rather than stay at C. I would go on leave of absence, and at
this opportunity see the other fronts. After I telephoned Wilhelm (who
was glad rather than sorry for me), my orders were changed to read:
"Captain Bölcke is to leave for Turkey and other countries at the
request of ----."
[Illustration: AMONG HIS COMRADES]
[Illustration: GERMAN MARINE AVIATORS ON A FIELD NEAR THE NORTH SEA]
Even though this was nothing that replaced my work, it was, at least,
a balm for my wounded feelings. I immediately went to S. to pack my
things and use the remaining two days to fly as much as possible. I
flew twice that night, because I had to utilize the time. In spite
of bad weather, I had the luck to meet five Frenchmen the second time
I went up. One came within range and I attacked him. He was quite low
and above his own trenches, but in my present frame of mind that did
not matter to me. I flew toward him, firing both guns, flew over him,
turned and started to attack him again, but found him gone. It was
very dark by then. When I got home I asked if anyone had seen him
fall, but no one knew anything definite.
The next day the weather was bad, and I flew over to Wilhelm to talk
over several things and bid him farewell. Picture my surprise, when I
read in the afternoon's wireless reports: "Yesterday an enemy machine
was brought down near Douaumont." This could only have been my enemy,
because, on account of the bad weather, I was the only German who had
gone up at that part of the front. I immediately called up the staff
officer, and he said yes, it had been a Fokker, yesterday evening,
that had brought down the Frenchman, but no one knew who was flying
the Fokker. I told him the time, place, and other circumstances, and
he seemed very surprised, and forbid me any further flight. He
proceeded to make further inquiries. The next morning the further
surprising details arrived: The enemy airplane that had been attacked
above our first line trenches had fallen in our lines because of
heavy south winds. That was very fine for me. Now, my departure from
the front was not so bad, because I had brought down another enemy and
so had put a stop to any lies the enemy might start about me. The
others, my helpers, friends, etc., were well pleased. To put a stop to
any more such breaks of discipline, they made me go direct to Ch. It
pleased me that I could make four of my mechanics corporals before I
left. Three of them got the Iron Cross. In Ch. I had to quickly make
my final preparations, get my passes, etc., for my trip, and now I am
on the way, Dessau-Berlin. On the day I left I had breakfast with the
Kaiser, and he greeted me with:
"Well, well; we have you in leash now."
It is funny that everyone is pleased to see me cooped up for a while.
The sorriest part of all is that I am forced to take this leave just
at a time when the English offensive is developing unprecedented
aerial activity.
VIENNA, JULY 6, 1916
Several incidents happened just before I left Berlin. My train was
scheduled to leave the Zoo at 8:06. A half hour before my departure I
noticed that my "_Pour le mérite_" was missing. I could not think of
leaving without it. I rode to get it; it had been left in my civilian
clothes, but my valet had already taken these. Of course, there was
no auto in sight, so I had to take a street car, though I was in a
hurry. My valet was, in the meantime, packing my things up. The result
was that I got to the station just as the train was pulling out. At
the same time the valet was at the station at Friedrichstrasse with
all the luggage. After riding around a while we met again at our
house. Fischer was trembling like a leaf, for he thought it was all
his fault. I immediately changed my plan, for the days till the start
of the next Balkan train had to be utilized; so I decided on a flight
to headquarters in Vienna and Budapest. I had the Aerial Division
announce my coming to Vienna, and left that night from the Anhalt
Station. As companion, I had a Bohemian Coal Baron, who had only given
30,000,000 marks for war loans; he was very pleasant. Except for a few
attacks by autograph collectors, the trip was eventless. In Tetschen,
at the border, I was relieved of the bother of customs officials
through the kindness of an Austrian officer. It was the lasting grief
of my companion that he had to submit to the customs in spite of all
the letters of recommendation he had.
JULY 7, 1916
In Vienna I was met by a brother aviator at the station. He took me to
the Commander-in-Chief of their Aviation Division, who very kindly
gave me a comrade as guide, and placed an auto at my disposal. The
same morning I rode to Fischamend. As it was Sunday, I could not do
anything in a military way, and so toward evening my guide and I took
a trip through Vienna, and I let him point out the spots of interest
to me.
JULY 10, 1916
Early in the morning we were on the aviation field at Aspern, which is
somewhat like Adlershof. Here I saw some very interesting machines;
for the first time I saw an Italian Caproni. Also, I was shown a
French machine, in which a crazy Frenchman tried to fly from Nancy to
Russia, _via_ Berlin. He almost succeeded. They say he got as far as
the east front, and was brought down there after flying almost ten
hours. They said he was over Berlin at 12:30 at night. Then there were
some very peculiar-looking Austrian 'planes.
In the afternoon I reported to the Colonel, who advised me to see the
flying in the mountains near Trient on my way back from the Balkans. I
do not know yet whether or not I will be able to do this; it all
depends on time and circumstances.
In the late afternoon I went up on the Kahlenberg to see Vienna from
there. I took the trip with a man and his wife, whom I had met on the
train. They seemed very pleased at having my company, and lost no
opportunity to tell me this. To add to my discomfiture, a reporter
interviewed me on the way back; he was the first I have met so far.
The fellow had heard by chance that I was in Vienna and had followed
me for two days. He sat opposite me on the inclined railway and I had
a lot of fun keeping him guessing. He was very disappointed that he
had no success with me, but finally consoled himself with the thought
of having spoken with me. In the evening I strolled around Vienna--the
city makes a much quieter impression than Berlin. One feels that
Vienna is more a quiet home town than a modern city.
JULY 11, 1916
To avoid the dreary railroad journey from Vienna to Budapest, I am
taking the steamer, and will catch the Balkan train at Budapest. In
that way I will see and enjoy the scenery much more. Even if the trip
cannot compare with one on the Rhine, it is still very beautiful. To
Pressburg the country is hilly; then it is flat country, with trees,
and often forests, on the banks. On the trip a twelve-year-old boy
recognized my face and would not leave me after that. He was a very
amusing chap; knew almost the dates of the days on which I had brought
down my various opponents. The worst thing he knew of, so he told me,
was that his aunt did not even know who Immelmann was. At Komorn the
character of the Danube changes completely. The meadows on the right
disappear, and hills take their place. The left bank is still rather
flat. From Grau, where I photographed the beautiful St. Johann's
Church, to Waitzen, the country resembles the Rhine Valley very much.
From Waitzen to Budapest, the country is level, but in the distance
one can see wooded hills and the city of Budapest, over which the sun
was just setting as we arrived. The most beautiful of all, is Budapest
itself. It makes a very imposing impression; to the left, the palace
and the old castle; to the right, the hotels and public buildings;
above all, the Parliament Building.
JULY 12, 1916
Slept real late and then walked to the castle, where I got a
bird's-eye view of the city.
In the afternoon I took a wagon and rode with Lieutenant F. through
Ofen to the Margareten Island. We passed the Parliament and went to
the city park, where we ate a lot of cake at Kugler's. From there we
walked to the docks. The evening, I spent with some Germans.
Budapest makes a very modern impression; some of the women are
ultra-modern.
JULY 13, 1916
Slept while passing through Belgrade. Woke up in the middle of Servia,
while passing a station where music was playing. Rode along the Morave
Valley; it is wide and flanked with hills. There are many cornfields
and meadows, with cows grazing. From Nisch (a city of low houses) we
passed through a small valley bordered with high, rocky, hills. Along
the Bulgarian Morave, Pirot (Bulgaria), the district becomes a
plateau, with mountains in the distance. The country is very rocky,
and there is very little farming. The nearer you get to Sofia the more
the country becomes farm land. Finally, it merges into a broad level
plain, with the Balkans in the background. Sofia: a small station, and
small houses. It was getting dark.
JULY 14, 1916
Slept through Adrianople on my way to Turkey. Passed through the
customs.
Country: Mountainous; little developed; no trees, but now and then
villages, with a few little houses, thatched with straw, and
scattered. For little stretches the country is covered with bushes.
Most of the country is uncultivated, but here and there you see a corn
or potato field.
The railroad is a one-track affair, with very few sidings. Service
very poor now, due to the war; long waits at the stations.
The people are poorly clothed, with gaudy sashes and queer headpieces.
Just at present they are celebrating some fast days.
The women work like the men, but always have a cloth wrapped around
their heads. We met a military transport; the men are brown and
healthy looking. Their whole equipment seemed German in origin.
Near the ocean, the farming is carried on on a large scale.
At the Bay of Kutshuk, I saw camels grazing, for the first time.
The ocean itself seemed brown, green, violet--all colors. At the shore
people were swimming, and there were two anti-aircraft guns mounted.
St. Stefano is an Oriental town in every sense of the word. At the
shore there are neat little European houses. Here, there is a wireless
station, etc., just as in Johannistal.
Then came Constantinople. From the train, you cannot see much; mostly
old, dirty houses, that look as if they were ready to topple over at
the first puff of wind.
At the station, I was met by several German aviators, and taken to the
hotel.
The evening, I spent with some officers and a number of gentlemen from
the German Embassy.
[Illustration: READY FOR THE START]
[Illustration: BÖLCKE AND HIS BROTHER MAX IN FRANCE (AUGUST, 1916)]
JULY 15, 1916
Early in the morning I rode to the Great Headquarters and reported to
Enver Pasha, who personally gave me the Iron Crescent. Enver, who is
still young, impressed me as a very agreeable, energetic, man. Then I
went through the Bazar, with an interpreter. This is a network of
streets, alleys and loopholes, in which everything imaginable is sold.
Then went to the Agia Sofia, the largest mosque, and to the Sultan
Ahmed, which has been changed to a barracks.
In the afternoon I went to the _General_ (the ship on which the German
naval officers live). In the evening we were in the Petit Champ, a
little garden in which a German naval band played.
My valet amuses me. He is very unhappy, because he cannot feel at
home, and is being cheated right and left by the people. He had
pictured Turkey to be an entirely different sort of a place. He was
very indignant because the merchants start at three o'clock, at night,
to go through the streets selling their wares.
JULY 16, 1916
In the morning I went out to the _General_ with Lieutenant H. to see a
U-boat.
In the afternoon, a Greek funeral passed the hotel. The cover of the
coffin is carried ahead and the corpse can be seen in the coffin.
Later, I wandered around in Galata and saw the Sultan, who was just
coming out of a mosque. First, mounted policemen came; then there was
a mounted bodyguard; then adjutant; then the Sultan in a coach with
four horses; then the same retinue again, in reverse order.
JULY 17, 1916
This morning, I at last had a chance to see something of their
aviation. We rode through the city in an auto: through Stamboul,
along the old Byzantine city wall, past the cemetery, and a number of
barracks, through the dreary district to St. Stefano, and looked over
the aviation station there. Here, Major S. has made himself quite a
neat bit out of nothing at all. Naturally, under present conditions,
it is very hard for him to get the necessary materials of all sorts.
In the afternoon I was a guest on board the _General_.
In the afternoon I went with Captain D. and other gentlemen, through
the Bosphorus to Therapia, where the German cemetery is wonderfully
situated. Then we inspected a shoe factory at Beikos, and, later, went
to the _Goeben_ and _Breslau_, where I had a splendid reception.
After a brief inspection of both boats, we ate supper and enjoyed a
concert on deck. On leaving, Captain A., commander of the _Goeben_,
drank a toast to me. Who would have believed this possible a few years
ago.
JULY 18, 1916
To-day I took a pleasure spin on the Sea of Marmora, with S.'s
adjutant, and his motorboat. We passed the Sultan's palace and went to
Skutari, where I made a short stop. Then we went to the Princes'
Islands, where we landed at Princepu. Princepu is to Constantinople
what Grunewald or Wannsee is to Berlin. It is a wonderful island,
hilly and situated in the middle of the sea. All the wealthy have
summer homes here, and most of Constantinople takes a trip here
Saturday and Sunday. In the Casino, from which there is a beautiful
view of the sea, we drank coffee. Toward evening we reached home,
after first sailing around the neighboring islands, on one of which
the captured defender of Kut-el-Amara lives in a very nice villa.
JULY 19, 1916
At nine, we left for Panderma. The Sea of Marmora was quite calm; at
first there were some waves, but later it was very still. The ship was
filled with natives; quite a few women, and some officers. Panderma: a
small seaport (many small sail-boats), situated at the foot of a
mountain, and made up, mostly, of small frame houses. We were met by
small government vessels, while the others were taken off by native
boats. After a short wait, we started our trip in a Pullman car (the
train was made up specially for us). As far as Manias Gör the country
is monotonous; a few boats on the sea, and quite a few storks. In the
Sursulu-Su Valley there are more villages, well-built, meadows, fruit
trees, and large herds of oxen and flocks of sheep. A good road runs
next to the railroad. Then it became dark. Slept well after a good
supper.
JULY 20, 1916
Woke up south of Akbissal. Country very pretty, cultivated and
fertile, with many herds of cattle; caravans of camel, with a mule as
leader.
The plains became more pretty as we went on. Smyrna is beautifully
situated. At the station I met Buddecke and several other men. I got a
room in the Hotel Kramer, right at the sea. From my balcony I have a
view over the whole Gulf of Smyrna. In the afternoon, I took a walk
after reporting to His Excellency Liman-Sanders. Went through the
Bazar, which is not so large as in Stamboul.
JULY 21, 1916
At ten we went to the aviation field at Svedi Kos, south of Smyrna.
The aviators live in a school. Close to the field there are the tents
of a division. The Turkish soldiers made a good impression.
JULY 22, 1916
In the morning went swimming at Cordelio, with several ladies and
gentlemen. Buddecke met us with a yacht. We had a fine sail. The view
of the hills from the gulf was beautiful.
JULY 23, 1916
In the morning, again went to Cordelio for a swim, and took some jolly
pictures.
JULY 24, 1916
Slept late. In the afternoon took a sail with several gentlemen to the
future landing spot for seaplanes.
JULY 25, 1916
In the morning I strolled about alone in the outlying parts of Smyrna.
Here, things look much more "oriental."
Now I have to take the long trip to Constantinople _via_ Panderma,
then to the Dardanelles. I lose eight days this way, for which I am
exceedingly sorry. In an airplane, I could make it in two and a half
hours, but Buddecke will not let me have any. He has a thousand and
one reasons for not giving me one, but I believe he has instructions
to that effect.
JULY 29, 1916
On July 28th I went aboard a gunboat bound for Chanak, with a tow.
Gallipoli is a village, with a number of outlying barracks. Several
houses on the shore were destroyed by gunfire. Arrived in Chanak
toward noon, and went to Merten-Pasha to report. In the afternoon I
went to the aviation field and flew over Troy--Kum Kale--Sedil Bar, to
the old English position. The flight was beautiful, and the islands of
Imbros and Tenedos were as if floating on the clear sea. In the Bay of
Imbros we could plainly see the English ships. Outside of the usual
maze of trenches we could plainly see the old English camps. Close to
Thalaka there was an English U-Boat and a Turkish cruiser, both sunk,
and lying partly out of water. At Sedil Bar, a number of steamers and
a French battleship were aground. The dead, hilly peninsula was
plainly visible. At Kilid Bar, there were large Turkish barracks.
JULY 30, 1916
Went on a small steamer to Sedil Bar. We got off a little before we
reached our destination, to go over the whole position with a naval
officer, who awaited us. The difference between the Turkish and
English positions was striking. The English, of course, had had more
and better material to work with. Now it is nothing but a deserted
wreck. Then I looked at the English landing places. Here, the
Englishmen had simply run a few steamers aground to protect
themselves. After a hasty breakfast, I flew to D. with M. and from
there, along the north shore of the Sea of Marmora, to St. Stefano.
JULY 31, 1916
To-day was Bairam (Turkish Easter). Flags everywhere; people all
dressed in their best; large crowds on the street; sale of crescent
flowers on the streets, and parades.
AUGUST 1, 1916
After a short stay in the War Department and the Bazar, I left for
Constantinople. Enver Pasha travels on the same train. He had me
brought to him by his servant at tea time. He was very talkative and
interesting, and talked almost only German.
AUGUST 2, 1916
Toward eleven o'clock, after an enjoyable trip through a
well-cultivated section of Rumania, I arrived in Sofia, after passing
a Turkish military train. Here I was received by a number of German
aviators. In the afternoon, took a trip through Sofia, which makes the
same impression as one of the central German capitals. Short visit in
the cadet school, then went to the large cathedral.
AUGUST 3, 1916
The military finish I noticed in the cadet school the day before
impressed me favorably. H. and I went to the aviation field in Sofia;
most of the machines were Ottos.
In the afternoon, I went to the flying school with H. Our guide,
Captain P., showed us as special attraction a Blériot, which he had.
The school is still in the first stages of development. From there we
went to the resort called Banje, which is nicely located.
In the evening, I was at supper with a military attaché, and met
Prince Kyrill. He interested me very much, and talked quite
intelligently about a number of things.
AUGUST 4, 1916
Early in the morning, I reported to the Bulgarian Secretary of War,
who conversed with me for a long while. He is small in stature and
talks German fluently. Then I visited a cavalry barracks, where I also
saw the new machine-gun companies. Toward evening I took a stroll in
the Boris Gardens, and admired the beauty of Sofia.
AUGUST 5, 1916
After an audience with the Bulgarian Chief of Staff, I went to Uskub
_via_ Kustendil in an auto. Fischer, my valet, who was along, had to
get out _en route_ to make all our train arrangements. In Kustendil,
I stopped over, and at the Casino I was with the Bulgarian Chief of
Staff. Then there was an interesting trip to Uskub, where I arrived at
nine o'clock.
AUGUST 6, 1916
In the afternoon I was with General Mackensen, and sat next to him
at the table. Mackensen talked with me for quite a while. He is
serious-looking, but not nearly as stern as his pictures lead one
to believe.
Later, I went by train to Hudova, and reached aviation headquarters,
where I was given a fine welcome in the barracks. The aviators all
live in wooden shacks, in a dreary neighborhood. This is not an
enviable place to be, especially since they have had nothing to do
for months.
AUGUST 7, 1916
In the morning I paid a visit to another division of flyers, and with
Captain E. I flew up and down the Greek front. Then I went back to
Uskub, where I spent the night.
AUGUST 8, 1916
Went back to Sofia in the auto. Had several punctures, which were
really funny, because my Bulgarian chauffeur and I could converse by
sign language only. On the road, not far from Kumanova, there was a
Macedonian fair, which was very interesting. The peasants, in white
clothes, danced an odd but pretty dance, to music played on bagpipes
and other instruments.
AUGUST 9, 1916
This morning, shortly before I left, I received a Bulgarian medal
for courage. This was presented to me by the adjutant of the Minister
of War, together with the latter's picture. I am now going to the
Austrian headquarters, from where I mean to see the east front. I
don't know yet how I will get the time.
AUGUST 10, 1916
In the afternoon, short auto ride; in the evening, reported to General
Conrad.
AUGUST 11, 1916
Presented myself at Archduke Frederick's and met General Cramon. At
eleven o'clock, went on toward Kovel.
AUGUST 12, 1916
Arrived in Kovel about eight. Reported to General Linsingen.
AUGUST 15, 1916
Rode to Brest, which is gutted by fire.
AUGUST 16, 1916
Reported to General Ludendorff. Before eating was presented to Field
Marshal Hindenburg. At table, sat between Hindenburg and Ludendorff.
In the afternoon, flew to Warsaw.
AUGUST 17, 1916
Rode to Wilna.
AUGUST 18, 1916
Rode to Kovno and then to Berlin.
[Illustration: ONE OF HIS LAST VICTIMS]
[Illustration: STARTING ON HIS LAST RIDE OCTOBER 28, 1916--5 P.M.]
TO THE FORTIETH VICTORY
(Fleet Battles)
LETTER OF SEPTEMBER 4, 1916
DEAR PARENTS:
To your surprise, you no doubt have read of my twentieth victory. You
probably did not expect I would be doing much flying while arranging
my new division.
A few days ago two new Fokkers arrived for me, and yesterday I made my
first flight. At the front, the enemy was very active. They have grown
quite rash. While I was enjoying a peaceful sail behind our lines, one
came to attack me. I paid no attention to him (he was higher than I).
A little later I saw bombs bursting near P. Here I found a B.-E.
biplane, and with him three Vickers' one-man machines, evidently a
scout with its protectors. I attacked the B.-E., but in the midst of
my work the other three disturbed me so I had to run. One of them
thought he could get me in spite of this, and followed me. A little
apart from the rest, I offered battle, and soon I had him. I did not
let him go; he had no more ammunition left. In descending, he swayed
heavily from side to side. As he said later, this was involuntary; I
had crippled his machine. He came down northeast of Th. The aviator
jumped out of his burning machine and beat about with hands and
feet, for he was also afire. I went home to get fresh supplies of
cartridges and start anew, for more Englishmen were coming. But I had
no success. Yesterday I got the Englishman, whom I had captured, from
the prisoners' camp and took him to the Casino for coffee. I showed
him our aviation field and learned a lot of interesting things from
him. My field is slowly nearing completion and I am exceedingly busy.
SEPTEMBER 17, 1916
In the meantime, I have made my total twenty-five.
Number 21 I tackled single-handed. The fight with this Vickers biplane
did not take very long. I attacked him at an angle from behind (the
best; to get him from directly behind is not so good, since the motor
acts as a protection). In vain he tried to get out of this poor
position; I did not give him the chance. I came so close to him that
my machine was smutted by the ensuing explosion of his 'plane. He
fell, twisting like a boomerang. The observer fell out of the machine
before it struck.
Number 22 was quite bold; with his companions, he was sailing over our
front, attacking our machines. This was too bad for him as well as one
of his friends, who was shot down by two Rumplers. Number 22 fell in
exactly the same way as 21 fell the day before, only he landed within
his own lines.
Number 23 was a hard one. I had headed off the squadron he was with
and picked the second one. He started to get away. The third attacked
Lieutenant R., and was soon engaged by Lieutenants B. and R., but,
nevertheless, escaped within his own lines. My opponent pretended to
fall after the first shots. I knew this trick, and followed him
closely. He really was trying to escape to his own lines. He did not
succeed. At M. he fell. His wings broke off and the machine broke into
pieces. As he lies so far behind our front I did not get a chance to
inspect the wreck. Once, however, I flew over it at a very low
altitude.
After a short while I saw several Englishmen circling over P. When I
got nearer, they wanted to attack me. As I was lower, I paid no
attention to them, but turned away. As they saw I would not fight, one
of them attacked another German machine. I could not allow this to go
on. I attacked him and he soon had to suffer for it. I shot up his
gasoline and oil tanks and wounded him in the right thigh. He landed
and was captured. That was Number 24.
Number 25 had to wait till the next day. A fleet of seven Englishmen
passed over our field. Behind them I rose and cut off their retreat.
At P. I got near them. I was the lower and, therefore, almost
defenseless. This they took advantage of, and attacked me. Nerve! But
I soon turned the tables and got my sights on one of them. I got nice
and close to him, and let him have about 500 shots at forty meters.
Then he had enough. Lieutenant von R. fired a few more shots at him,
but he was finished without them. At H. he fell in a forest and was
completely wrecked.
Things are very lively here. The Englishmen always appear in swarms. I
regret I did not have enough machines for all my men. Yesterday the
first consignment arrived. The other half will come very soon. They
shot down two Englishmen yesterday, and there won't be many Englishmen
left in a little while.
Yesterday, my officer for special service arrived; he will relieve me
of a lot of work. Nevertheless, my time is well occupied, even when
not flying. There is a lot to do if one has to make a division out of
practically nothing. But it pleases me to see things gradually work
out as I plan them.
_LATER_
In the meantime, things have changed considerably. Two of my men and I
got into an English squadron and had a thorough housecleaning. Each of
us brought down an Englishman. We are getting along fine; since last
night five Englishmen. I shot down the leader, which I recognized
by little flags on one of the planes. He landed at E. and set his
machine afire. His observer was slightly wounded. When I arrived in an
auto they had both been taken away. He had landed because I had shot
his engine to pieces.
LETTER OF OCTOBER 8, 1916
Yesterday you read of Number 30, but even that is a back number.
Number 31 has followed its predecessors.
On September 17th came Number 27. With some of my men I attacked a
squadron of F.-E. biplanes on the way back from C. Of these, we shot
down six out of eight. Only two escaped. I picked out the leader, and
shot up his engine so he had to land. It landed right near one of our
kite-balloons. They were hardly down when the whole airplane was
ablaze. It seems they have some means of destroying their machine as
soon as it lands. On September 19th six of us got into an English
squadron. Below us were the machines with lattice-work tails, and
above were some Morans, as protection. One of these I picked out, and
sailed after him. For a moment he escaped me, but west of B. I caught
up with him. One machine gun jammed, but the other I used with telling
effect. At short range, I fired at him till he fell in a big blaze.
During all this, he handled himself very clumsily. This was Number 28.
On September 27th I met seven English machines, near B. I had started
on a patrol flight with four of my men, and we saw a squadron I first
thought was German. When we met southwest of B., I saw they were enemy
'planes. We were lower and I changed my course. The Englishmen passed
us, flew over to us, flew around our kite-balloon and then set out for
their own front. However, in the meantime, we had reached their height
and cut off their retreat. I gave the signal to attack, and a general
battle started. I attacked one; got too close; ducked under him and,
turning, saw an Englishman fall like a plummet.
As there were enough others left I picked out a new one. He tried to
escape, but I followed him. I fired round after round into him. His
stamina surprised me. I felt he should have fallen long ago, but he
kept going in the same circle. Finally, it got too much for me. I knew
he was dead long ago, and by some freak, or due to elastic controls,
he did not change his course. I flew quite close to him and saw the
pilot lying dead, half out of his seat. To know later which was the
'plane I had shot down (for eventually he must fall), I noted the
number--7495. Then I left him and attacked the next one. He escaped,
but I left my mark on him. As I passed close under him I saw a great
hole I had made in his fuselage. He will probably not forget this day.
I had to work like a Trojan.
Number 30 was very simple, I surprised a scout above our front--we
call these scouts "Häschen" (rabbits)--fired at him; he tilted, and
disappeared.
The fall of Number 31 was a wonderful sight. We, five men and myself,
were amusing ourselves attacking every French or English machine we
saw, and firing our guns to test them. This did not please our
opponents at all. Suddenly, far below me, I saw one fellow circling
about, and I went after him. At close range I fired at him, aiming
steadily. He made things easy for me, flying a straight course. I
stayed twenty or thirty meters behind him and pounded him till he
exploded with a great yellow flare. We cannot call this a fight,
because I surprised my opponent.
Everything goes well with me; healthy, good food, good quarters, good
companions, and plenty to do.
OCTOBER 19, 1916
My flying has been quite successful in the last few days.
On October 13th some of my men and I got into a fleet of Vickers
machines of about equal number. They did not care to fight, and tried
to get away. We went after them. I attacked one, saw that Lieutenant
K. was already after him, picked another, attacked him above P. and
fired two volleys at him. I descended about 400 meters doing this and
had to let him go, because two others were after me, which I did not
appreciate. He had to land at his artillery positions, however.
On the 15th of October, there was a lot to do. Lately, the English
attack at two or three o'clock in the afternoon, because they have the
notion that we are asleep. Just at this hour we went out. Between T.
and S. we had a housecleaning; that is, we attacked and chased every
Englishman we could find. I regret that during this only one fell (M.
shot down his fourth). Shortly after that I saw a scout amusing
himself above the lines. I attacked and finished him first thing; I
guess I must have killed the pilot instantly. The machine crashed to
earth so violently that it raised a huge cloud of dust. That was
Number 33.
On October 10th, in the afternoon, I got into a fleet of six Vickers'
machines. I had a fine time. The English leader came just right for
me, and I settled it after the first attack. With the pilot dead, it
fell, and I watched till it struck, and then picked out another. My
men were having a merry time with the other Englishmen. One Englishman
favored me by coming quite close to me, and I followed him close to
the ground. Still, by skillful flying, he escaped.
The day was a good one for my command. Lieutenant R. brought down his
fifth, and Lieutenant S. got one, so that in all we got five that day.
On the 16th I got Number 35. After some fruitless flying I saw six
Vickers over our lines. These I followed, with Lieutenant B. From
command--there were also three machines present. Lieutenant Leffers
attacked one and forced him to earth (his eighth). The others were all
grouped together in a bunch. I picked out the lowest and forced him to
earth. The Englishmen did not try to help him, but let me have him,
unmolested. After the second volley he caught fire and fell.
It is peculiar that so many of my opponents catch fire. The others, in
jest, say it is mental suggestion; they say all I need do is attack
one of the enemy and he catches fire or, at least, loses a wing.
The last few days we had poor weather. Nothing to do.
_THE LAST REPORTS_
OCTOBER 20, 1916
At 10:30 in the morning, five of my men and I attacked a squadron of
six F.-E. biplanes, coming from D. The machine I attacked fell in its
own lines after first losing its observer.
It is lying, a wreck, five hundred meters west of A.
OCTOBER 22, 1916
11:45--Several of my men and I headed off two enemy biplanes coming
from the east. Both fell. The one I attacked was shot apart.
OCTOBER 22, 1916
About 3:40 in the afternoon I saw an English machine attack two of our
biplanes. I attacked immediately, and forced him to land, although he
tried to escape.
Southwest of the forest at G. he landed in a huge shell-hole and broke
his machine. The pilot was thrown out.
OCTOBER 25, 1916
This morning, near M., I brought down an English B.-E. biplane.
OCTOBER 26, 1916
About 4:45 seven of our machines, of which I had charge, attacked some
English biplanes west of P.
I attacked one and wounded the observer, so he was unable to fire at
me. At the second attack the machine started to smoke. Both pilot and
observer seemed dead. It fell into the second line English trenches
and burned up. As I was attacked by a Vickers machine after going two
or three hundred meters, I did not see this. According to the report
of Group A., at A. o. K. 1., a B.-E. machine, attacked by one of our
one-man machines, had fallen. This must have been mine.
_FROM THE LAST LETTER_
... Mother does not need to worry about me; things are not so terrible
as she pictures them. She just needs to think of all the experience I
have had at this work, not to mention our advantage in knowledge of
how to fly and shoot.
Telegram from the front.[B]
"October 28, 1916, 7:30 in the evening.
"Prepare parents: Oswald mortally injured to-day over German lines.
"WILHELM."
[Footnote B: To his sister.]
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES:
1. Minor changes have been made to correct typesetters' errors;
otherwise every effort has been made to remain true to the author's
words and intent.
2. In the Introduction, Professor Bölcke quotes a speaker at the
funeral service; this quote was left open in error in typesetting;
the transcriber has closed the quote where it appears most
appropriate.
End of Project Gutenberg's An Aviator's Field Book, by Oswald Bölcke
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