Knight of Germany: Oswald Boelcke, German Ace (Literature and History of Aviation) [Hardcover]

Johannes Werner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1972 | ISBN-10: 0405037856 | ISBN-13: 978-0405037856

The story of the fighter pilot the Red Baron himself sought to emulate . . .

German air ace Oswald Boelcke was a national hero during World War I, and was the youngest captain in the German air force, decorated with the Pour Ie Merite while still only a lieutenant and with 40 aerial victories at the time of his death.

He became a pilot shortly before the outbreak of the war, and when he was tragically killed in a flying accident during combat less than two-and-a-half years later not only was his name known all over the world but the whole of Germany mourned his passing. He established his reputation on the Western front first in reconnaissance, then in scouts, and, with Max Immelmann, he became the best known of the early German aces. After Immelmann' s death, he was taken off flying and traveled to the Eastern front where he met a young pilot called Manfred von Richthofen. Transferred back to the Western Front in command of Jasta 2, when new small fighting units were formed he remembered von Richthofen and chose him as a pilot for his new Staffel. Boelcke was killed in October 1916, although not before the reputation of his unit, together with his own, had been firmly established forever.

This absorbing biography was written with the blessing of Boelcke's family. Professor Werner was given access to his letters and other papers, and presents here a rounded and fascinating portrait of a great airman and a remarkable soldier, who became known as the father of the German Jagdflieger.

This new edition has been completely reoriginated while remaining faithful to the language of the time of its original translation from German in the 1930s.

REVIEWS

"...must have classic..." Cross and Cockade, 05/2010

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, German (translation)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 241 pages
• Publisher: Ayer Co Pub (June 1972)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0405037856
• ISBN-13: 978-0405037856
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,962,726 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book, July 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Knight of Germany: Oswald Boelcke, German Ace (Literature and History of Aviation) (Hardcover)

This is the story of Germany's great WWI ace Oswald Boelcke. Boelcke developed many of the air combat principles that are still valid today. He was also a great ace himself, shooting down 40 enemy aircraft. Much of the book is made up of letters and diary entries written by Boelcke himself,which makes the book as much autobiograph as biography.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Boelcke deserved much better, January 15, 2012

By 

OverseasReader - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Knight of Germany: Oswald Boelcke German Ace (Kindle Edition)

The backbone of the book are the letters from Boelcke to his family. However, Cap. Boelcke was writing to his parents, not to general public interested in WWI aviation. So, the writer should be expected to provide a reasonable amount of contextualization. But Mr. Werner had no interest in performing any serious research. His preference was for shameless propaganda. For instance, he will teach you that Oswald Boelcke had the luck of being born in a true German family. The flattery is so exaggerated that portraits that outstanding man in a kind of Mickey Mouse perfection, removing from him any trace of humanity. Four Stars to the letters from Oswald Boelcke, zero to the Johannes Werner's text, making the 2 stars average this book deserves.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Other Side, December 31, 2011

By 

James E. Duffy (Belvedere, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Knight of Germany: Oswald Boelcke German Ace (Kindle Edition)

Histories as this cause one to understand that, rightly or wrongly, there are two sides to every story. History is vital in understanding that people are people and behave similarly and have the same emotions and behaviors as they are encouraged to have in their environment. We are not so different beyond those with motives that are in charge.