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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of An Aviator's Field Book, by Oswald Bölcke
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+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
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN AVIATOR'S FIELD BOOK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by D Alexander and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images generously made available by The
+Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ 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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+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of An Aviator's Field Book, by Oswald Bölcke.
+    </title>
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+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of An Aviator's Field Book, by Oswald Bölcke
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+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
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN AVIATOR'S FIELD BOOK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by D Alexander and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images generously made available by The
+Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<p class="smallgap">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h1>AN AVIATOR&#8217;S<br />
+FIELD BOOK</h1>
+
+<p class="center"><i>Being the Field Reports of Oswald B&ouml;lcke,<br />
+from August 1, 1914, to October 28, 1916</i></p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Translated from the German by</span></p>
+
+<p class="center">ROBERT REYNOLD HIRSCH, M.E.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">With a Foreword by</span></p>
+
+<p class="center">JOSEPH E. RIDDER, M.E.</p>
+
+<p class="gap">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 133px;">
+<img src="images/i005.jpg" width="133" height="75" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="gap">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p class="center">1917<br />
+NATIONAL MILITARY PUBLISHING CO.<br />
+1919 BROADWAY, NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class="large" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 310px;"><a name="Frontispiece" id="Frontispiece"></a>
+<img src="images/i004.jpg" class="jpg" width="310" height="500" alt="Colonel Oswald B&ouml;lcke&#8217;s Last Picture" title="" />
+<span class="caption">Colonel Oswald B&ouml;lcke&#8217;s Last Picture</span>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="large" />
+
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+<div class="centered">
+<table border="0" width="70%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" summary="CONTENTS">
+
+<tr>
+<td align="left">FOREWORD</td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#FOREWORD">11</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="left">INTRODUCTION</td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#INTRODUCTION">16</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="left">FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR TO<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">THE FIRST VICTORY</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#FROM_THE_BEGINNING_OF_THE_WAR_TO_THE_FIRST_VICTORY">31</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="left">PILOT OF A BATTLEPLANE</td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#PILOT_OF_A_BATTLEPLANE">59</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="left">LEAVE OF ABSENCE</td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#LEAVE_OF_ABSENCE">131</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="left">TO THE FORTIETH VICTORY</td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#TO_THE_FORTIETH_VICTORY">180</a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<hr class="large" />
+<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2>
+
+<div class="centered">
+<table border="0" width="70%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" summary="ILLUSTRATIONS">
+
+<tr>
+<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
+<td align="right">FACING<br />PAGE</td></tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="left">Colonel Oswald B&ouml;lcke&#8217;s Last Picture</td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Frontispiece"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td></tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="left">After His First Victory</td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Illo1">32</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="left">The Enemy&#8217;s Aeroplane in Ruins</td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Illo2">33</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="left">The Master-Flier and His Men</td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Illo3">64</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="left">B&ouml;lcke and His Brother Wilhelm,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">September, 1914</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Illo4">65</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="left">Donning His Flying Dress</td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Illo5">96</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="left">An Aviator Bombarded with<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shrapnel</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Illo6">97</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="left">Among His Comrades</td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Illo7">144</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="left">German Marine Aviators on a<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Field Near the North Sea</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Illo8">145</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="left">Ready for the Start</td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Illo9">160</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="left">B&ouml;lcke and His Brother Max in<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">France (August, 1916)</span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Illo10">161</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="left">One of His Last Victims</td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Illo11">182</a></td></tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td align="left">Starting on His Last Ride, October<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">28, 1916&mdash;5 <span class="smcap">p. m.</span></span></td>
+<td align="right"><a href="#Illo12">183</a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<hr class="large" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="FOREWORD" id="FOREWORD"></a>FOREWORD</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">By Joseph E. Ridder</span></h3>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span>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&mdash;these iron-nerved boys who know no fear. Admiral Schley&#8217;s
+historic words after the battle of Santiago: &#8220;There will be honor
+enough for us all&#8221; 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 B&ouml;lcke&#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 16-9]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION"></a>INTRODUCTION</h2>
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">By Prof. Hermann B&ouml;lcke, Dessau</span></h3>
+
+<p>Oswald B&ouml;lcke 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&mdash;rector of the German Lutheran
+School. Later, Oswald&#8217;s brother Martin was born in Halle and his
+brother Max in Dessau. Oswald was the first child born to the B&ouml;lcke&#8217;s
+in Germany. On the 17th of July, the wedding-day anniversary of his
+parents, he was baptized <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>by his uncle, the Rev. Edmund Hartung.
+This occurred during a vacation spent at his grandmother&#8217;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.</p>
+
+<p>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&#8217; 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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span>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 H&ouml;llenstein. She was
+on the lower Krieralpe watching. When it was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>His principal, Dr. Wiehmann, said in the words he spoke at Oswald&#8217;s
+burial: &#8220;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.&#8221; He might also have added skating and dancing, for he was a
+very graceful <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span>dancer. His favorite studies were History, Mathematics
+and Physics. Treitschke&#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>from &#8220;home life.&#8221; After this, his
+parents let him join the Telegraphers&#8217; 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&#8217;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.</p>
+
+<p>In this summer he and his brother Martin had the adventure on the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span>not till June, 1914, was he able to attain his heart&#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>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&#8217;s country.
+His objective was Sedan. On the way, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 31-3]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="FROM_THE_BEGINNING_OF_THE_WAR_TO_THE_FIRST_VICTORY" id="FROM_THE_BEGINNING_OF_THE_WAR_TO_THE_FIRST_VICTORY"></a>FROM THE BEGINNING OF<br />
+THE WAR TO THE FIRST<br />
+VICTORY</h2>
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Halberstadt, August 1, 1914</span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="Illo1" id="Illo1"></a>
+<img src="images/i033.jpg" class="jpg gap" width="500" height="381" alt="After his First Victory" title="" />
+<span class="caption smcap">After his First Victory</span>
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="Illo2" id="Illo2"></a>
+<img src="images/i034.jpg" class="jpg gap" width="500" height="380" alt="The Enemy&#8217;s Aeroplane in Ruins" title="" />
+<span class="caption smcap">The Enemy&#8217;s Aeroplane in Ruins</span>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Darmstadt, August 3, 1914</span></p>
+
+<p>Arrived here safe and sound after a slight detour <i>via</i> Cologne. I am
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Trier, August 29, 1914</span></p>
+
+<p>Arrived here safely. Myself drove a 30 horsepower Opel <i>via</i> Koblenz.
+Wonderful auto ride!</p>
+
+<p>I managed to get time to pass my third examination in Darmstadt before
+I left.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">F., September 3, 1914</span></p>
+
+<p>Started last night with a non-commissioned officer at six o&#8217;clock and
+landed here safely at seven. It was a very pretty flight.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>
+<span class="smcap">Ch., September 4, 1914</span></p>
+
+<p>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&#8217;t need a map at all
+to set his course. We flew over the enemy&#8217;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&#8217;s artillery. As a result of his
+reports, the first shots fired struck home.</p>
+
+<p>When I reached the aviation field <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>At 7:10 I landed safely here at our camp. And what was the thanks I
+got for having sailed around over the enemy&#8217;s lines for over two and a
+half hours? I got a &#8220;call down.&#8221; I had hardly shut off my engine when
+Wilhelm came racing over to me. &#8220;Where were you? What have you been
+doing? Are you crazy? You are not to fly without my permission! You&#8217;re
+not to go up unless <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>I am along.&#8221; And more of the same stuff. Only
+after I had given my word to do as he asked, would he let me alone.</p>
+
+<p>Wednesday evening we had a fine surprise: two of our &#8220;missing&#8221;
+returned. They had been forced to land behind the enemy&#8217;s line because
+their motor had stopped. They were hardly down when the &#8220;Pisangs&#8221;
+(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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>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, &#8220;Get on the job, you
+fool.&#8221; Those were sweet words to them, for it was a scouting party of
+German Dragoons. Thus, they got back to us.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">M., September 10, 1914</span></p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>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&mdash;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
+man&oelig;uvers; some were cooking, some strolling about, but most of
+them loafed around on their backs, not paying any attention to the
+battle at all.</p>
+
+<p>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;
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>as far as the eye could see villages were burning. At 7:30 we were
+down again.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">B., September 16, 1914</span></p>
+
+<p>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 &#8220;Schafskopf&#8221; (a German card
+game). <i>C&#8217;est la guerre!</i></p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span><span class="smcap">B., October 12, 1914</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>This evening I received the Iron Cross.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">B., October 25, 1914</span></p>
+
+<p>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 &#8220;worked&#8221; 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&#8217;s positions and then the artillery was
+to fire. Then it was Wilhelm&#8217;s <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>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&#8217;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.</p>
+
+<p>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&#8217;s soil, while I have covered 3,400.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p>
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">October 27, 1914</span></p>
+
+<p>Wilhelm has discovered nine of the enemy&#8217;s batteries south of M. and
+southeast of Rheims, among them being one right next to the cathedral!</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">November 5, 1914</span></p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">November 10, 1914</span></p>
+
+<p>Wilhelm has now flown a distance of 9,400, I 7,300, kilometers over
+enemy soil.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Letter of November 15, 1914</span></p>
+
+<p>Mother doesn&#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>it isn&#8217;t clearing up. Nerves can
+be the excuse for almost anything, I guess.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">B., November 30, 1914</span></p>
+
+<p>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>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">P., December 9, 1914</span></p>
+
+<p>Bad weather. No important work. Now, we ought to be in the East, where
+there is something doing.</p>
+
+<p>Yesterday I was in R. and got my Fokker, which had arrived in the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>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 &#8217;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>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">P., January 21, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>Since Christmas we have made the following flights: December 24th, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>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&#8217;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&#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span>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>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">P., January 27, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>This morning our Captain gave K. and me the Iron Cross of the First
+Class.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">P., April 25, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>To-morrow I leave here; I have been transferred to the &mdash;&mdash; Flying
+Squadron, which is just being established. To-morrow I go to Berlin to
+report at the inspection of aviators.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">P., May 16, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>Safely back in P. The trip was made in comparatively quick time.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>
+<span class="smcap">P., May 17, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>We had to leave here this afternoon, after we had hardly arrived. I am
+very glad. New scenery and something doing.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">D., May 22, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>The city is entirely unharmed and the greater part of the inhabitants
+are still here. The city gives an impression similar to Zerbst&mdash;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>prosperous. All the stores, hotels, coffee-houses and caf&eacute;s are
+open. Every day two of my friends (Immelmann and Lieutenant P.) and I
+go to one of these coffee-houses.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">D., May 25, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>By chance, I witnessed a great military spectacle. As I did not have
+to fly in the afternoon, I went to the artillery observer&#8217;s post with
+our Captain. About four o&#8217;clock we reached V.; from here we had
+another half hour&#8217;s walk ahead of us. From a distance we could see
+there was heavy firing going on. The Major, in the company&#8217;s
+bomb-proof, told us that the artillery would hardly have time now to
+avail themselves of airplanes to find the range for <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span>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&#8217;s post and were very lucky. Our batteries were just firing at
+the enemy&#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>French
+trench. This meant&mdash;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>But in vain, for more and more sought safety in flight. Many
+dropped&mdash;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span>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&#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>I was very glad I had the opportunity to see this. From above, we
+aviators don&#8217;t see such things.</p>
+
+<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 59-61]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="PILOT_OF_A_BATTLEPLANE" id="PILOT_OF_A_BATTLEPLANE"></a>PILOT OF A BATTLEPLANE</h2>
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">D., June 24, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>example: a great
+battleplane with two motors: for three passengers, and equipped with a
+bomb-dropping apparatus&mdash;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&#8217;t been over here. I guess something must have proved an
+eye-opener to them.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">June 30, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>Rain, almost continuously, since the 22d. I am absolutely sick of this
+loafing.</p>
+
+<p>Since June 14th, I have a battleplane <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>see them run from me;
+they always do this as quick as possible. In this way, I have chased
+away over a dozen.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="Illo3" id="Illo3"></a>
+<img src="images/i067.jpg" class="jpg gap" width="500" height="380" alt="The Master-Flier and His Men" title="" />
+<span class="caption smcap">The Master-Flier and His Men</span>
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="Illo4" id="Illo4"></a>
+<img src="images/i068.jpg" class="jpg gap" width="500" height="384" alt="B&ouml;lcke and His Brother Wilhelm, September, 1914" title="" />
+<span class="caption smcap">B&ouml;lcke and His Brother Wilhelm, September, 1914</span>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">July 6, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>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 &#8217;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 &#8217;plane has the advantage, we turned away; he
+didn&#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>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 man&oelig;uvers he tried to increase the distance between us;
+without success, for I was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>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&#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span>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, &#8220;He is falling; he is falling,&#8221; 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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span>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
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span>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
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Letter of July 16, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>... Father asks if it will be all right to publish my report in the
+newspapers. I don&#8217;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&mdash;gruesome, nerve-wrecking suspense, complete revenge,
+mountainous clouds, blue, breeze-swept sky&mdash;that is what they want.
+But if the publication of the report will bring you any joy, I will
+not be against it.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">August 11, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>Early August 10th the weather was very poor so that our officer
+&#8217;phoned in to the city, saying there <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span>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&#8217;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&mdash;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>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&mdash;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>had never taken part in a battle with the enemy, but in spite of
+that, he had handled himself very well.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">August 23, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>On the evening of the 19th I had some more luck.</p>
+
+<p>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&#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span>his machine, for he suddenly shut
+off his engine and disappeared below me. As the fight took place over
+the enemy&#8217;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&#8217;t do it because he was afraid, but because
+he was hit.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">August 29, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>Day before yesterday I flew my Fokker to the division at &mdash;&mdash;, where
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>from now on I am to serve with the rank of officer. I am to get a
+newer, more powerful machine&mdash;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&frac12;
+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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span>ran over to see what he was doing, but he wasn&#8217;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
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">September 18, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>To-day I went to see the boy&#8217;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.</p>
+
+<p>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. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span>turned to go home. Suddenly I
+saw two enemy &#8217;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 &#8217;plane started
+for Immelmann, who could not see him, and I naturally had to go to
+Immelmann&#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p>
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">M., September 23, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">M., September 27, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>I was casually wandering through the streets; stopped to read the
+daily bulletins, and there was my name.</p>
+
+<p>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&#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span>nine. I was up about three or four
+minutes when I saw bombs bursting and three or four enemy &#8217;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&mdash;it seems they go along
+to protect the others&mdash;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>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&#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>friends had
+arrived and sent me several friendly greetings. That isn&#8217;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&#8217;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&#8217; school. When I got back I only knew
+what I have told, and could report only a battle and not a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>victory.
+By aid of a map I found I had been over P. &agrave; M. In the afternoon the
+report came that the infantry on the heights of &mdash;&mdash; had seen a
+biplane &#8220;flutter&#8221; to earth. The artillery positively reported that the
+biplane I had fired on had fallen behind the enemy&#8217;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 &#8217;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 &#8220;fluttered&#8221; to earth; <i>i.e.</i>, fell. This was
+the fourth one.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p>
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">October 17, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>Yesterday, the 16th, I shot down a French Voisin biplane near P.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">R., November 2, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>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&#8217;t help him any, because I was much faster than he.
+I fired 500 shots before he fell. Was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span>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&#8217;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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p>
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">D., December 12, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">D., December 31, 1915</span></p>
+
+<p>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, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>among other things. This cup was inscribed &#8220;To the victor
+in the air,&#8221; and was given to me by the Commander-in-Chief of the
+Aviation Corps. Immelmann received its mate.</p>
+
+<p>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 man&oelig;uvring, 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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span>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, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">January 8, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>On the 5th of January I pursued two Englishmen, overtook them at
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>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&#8217;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 &#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>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 &#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="Illo5" id="Illo5"></a>
+<img src="images/i101.jpg" class="jpg gap" width="500" height="345" alt="Donning His Flying-Dress" title="" />
+<span class="caption smcap">Donning His Flying-Dress</span>
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 362px;"><a name="Illo6" id="Illo6"></a>
+<img src="images/i102.jpg" class="jpg gap" width="362" height="500" alt="An Aviator Bombarded With Shrapnel" title="" />
+<span class="caption smcap">An Aviator Bombarded With Shrapnel</span>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span>
+<span class="smcap">January 15, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>Now, events come so fast I cannot keep up with them by writing.</p>
+
+<p>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&#8217;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 &#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>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&#8217;t shoot until after I started. I flew squarely behind him, and
+had all the time in the world to aim, because he did <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>The greatest surprise came in the evening. We were just at dinner when
+I was called to the &#8217;phone. At the other end was the
+Commander-in-Chief&#8217;s Adjutant, who congratulated me for receiving the
+order <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span><i>Pour le m&eacute;rite.</i> 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 &#8217;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.</p>
+
+<p>Everybody seemed elated. One old chap would not let me go, and I
+didn&#8217;t escape till I promised to visit him. From all comers I received
+messages: by telephone and telegraph. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span>The King of Bavaria, who
+happened to be in Lille with the Bavarian Crown Prince, invited me to
+dinner for the 14th of January.</p>
+
+<p>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&#8217;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.</p>
+
+<p>When he saw I intended to attack him, he suddenly turned and attacked
+me. Now, there started the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span>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 &#8217;round and &#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span>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
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span>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 <i>Pour le m&eacute;rite</i>.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">S., March 16, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>Since March 11th I am here in S. As the lines near Verdun have all
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span>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&#8217;homme mort. By the time I <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>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&mdash;it was beautiful to see him go. In the afternoon, I
+saw a French squadron flying above L&#8217;homme mort, toward D. I picked
+out one of them and went for him. It was a Voisin biplane, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span>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, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span>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&#8217;s line, I
+turned back. The enemy &#8217;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.</p>
+
+<p>We have now spoiled the Frenchmen&#8217;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
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>with my machine gun. He descended behind Fort M., as reported later
+by our soldiers.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">March 17, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">S., March 21, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>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., <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>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 &#8217;plane, among
+them a machine gun and an automatic camera. The pictures were
+developed, and showed our artillery positions.</p>
+
+<p>This morning I started at 9:50, as our anti-aircraft guns were firing
+at a Farman biplane above C&ocirc;te de &mdash;&mdash;. The enemy was flying back and
+forth in the line Ch&mdash; to Ch&mdash;. At 10:10 I was above him, as well as
+another Farman, flying above M. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span>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&#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">April 29, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>Thursday morning, at nine, as I arrived in S., after a short trip to
+Germany, two Frenchmen appeared&mdash;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span>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 &mdash;&mdash; Reserve Division, he fell in the woods <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>southwest of V.,
+after turning over twice more. That was number 14.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">S., May 9, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>On May 1st I saw an enemy biplane above the &#8220;Pfefferr&uuml;cken,&#8221; 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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span>task.
+The whole thing only lasted about two minutes.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">June 2, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>On the 17th of May we had a good day. One of our scout &#8217;planes wanted
+to take some pictures near Verdun, and I was asked to protect it. I
+met him above the C&ocirc;te de &mdash;&mdash; 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,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> 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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span>tilt, I dropped
+from 4,000 meters to a height of less than 2,000. Our biplanes had
+also drifted downward.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly, at an altitude of 4,700 meters, I saw eight of the enemy&#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span>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 C&ocirc;te de &mdash;&mdash;, 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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span>quickly turned and followed close
+behind the enemy. Then the other Caudron started to man&oelig;uver 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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>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
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>On May 20th I again went for a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span></p><p>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&#8217;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
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>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&#8217;homme mort had reported the
+fall of the machine. In the evening, I went out again, without any
+particular objective,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> and after a number of false starts I had some
+success. I was flying north of Bois de &mdash;&mdash;, 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.</p>
+
+<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 131-3]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="LEAVE_OF_ABSENCE" id="LEAVE_OF_ABSENCE"></a>LEAVE OF ABSENCE</h2>
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">July 4, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>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:</p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>firing in the air and saw a
+Nieuport attacking one of our biplanes. The German landed and told me,
+all out of breath:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;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.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>I didn&#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span>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 &#8220;five Americans&#8221; 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 man&oelig;uver and flew <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span>home, little
+pleased but unharmed. I only saw that the Americans were again flying
+where I had found them.<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</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.</p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span>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&#8217; 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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>Now came the extremely sad news of Immelmann&#8217;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.</p>
+
+<p>It was very impressive. Immelmann lay in the courtyard of a hospital,
+on a wonderful bier. Everywhere <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span>there were pedestals with torches
+burning on them.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>The next day I had two more opportunities to attack Englishmen. The
+first time, it was a squadron of six Vickers&#8217; machines. I started as
+they were over L., and the other Fokkers from D. went with me. As <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span>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&#8217;s rescue. So I <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span>for me: &#8220;Captain B&ouml;lcke 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.&#8221; 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 &#8220;nerves.&#8221; You can imagine my rage. I was to stay at a
+watering-place in C. and gaze into the sky. If I had <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span>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:
+&#8220;Captain B&ouml;lcke is to leave for Turkey and other countries at the
+request of &mdash;&mdash;.&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="Illo7" id="Illo7"></a>
+<img src="images/i151.jpg" class="jpg gap" width="500" height="377" alt="Among His Comrades" title="" />
+<span class="caption smcap">Among His Comrades</span>
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="Illo8" id="Illo8"></a>
+<img src="images/i152.jpg" class="jpg gap" width="500" height="291" alt="German Marine Aviators on a Field Near the North Sea" title="" />
+<span class="caption smcap">German Marine Aviators on a Field Near the North Sea</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>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&#8217;s wireless reports: <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>&#8220;Yesterday an enemy machine
+was brought down near Douaumont.&#8221; 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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>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:</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p><p>&#8220;Well, well; we have you in leash now.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Vienna, July 6, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>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 &#8220;<i>Pour le m&eacute;rite</i>&#8221; 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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">July 7, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">July 10, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>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, <i>via</i> Berlin. He almost succeeded. They say he got as far as
+the east front, and was brought <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span>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 &#8217;planes.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span>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&mdash;the
+city makes a much quieter impression than Berlin. One feels that
+Vienna is more a quiet home town than a modern city.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">July 11, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>To avoid the dreary railroad journey from Vienna to Budapest, I am
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span>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&#8217;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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">July 12, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>Slept real late and then walked to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span>the castle, where I got a
+bird&#8217;s-eye view of the city.</p>
+
+<p>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&#8217;s. From there we
+walked to the docks. The evening, I spent with some Germans.</p>
+
+<p>Budapest makes a very modern impression; some of the women are
+ultra-modern.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">July 13, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">July 14, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>Slept through Adrianople on my way to Turkey. Passed through the
+customs.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p><p>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.</p>
+
+<p>The railroad is a one-track affair, with very few sidings. Service
+very poor now, due to the war; long waits at the stations.</p>
+
+<p>The people are poorly clothed, with gaudy sashes and queer headpieces.
+Just at present they are celebrating some fast days.</p>
+
+<p>The women work like the men, but always have a cloth wrapped around
+their heads. We met a military <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span>transport; the men are brown and
+healthy looking. Their whole equipment seemed German in origin.</p>
+
+<p>Near the ocean, the farming is carried on on a large scale.</p>
+
+<p>At the Bay of Kutshuk, I saw camels grazing, for the first time.</p>
+
+<p>The ocean itself seemed brown, green, violet&mdash;all colors. At the shore
+people were swimming, and there were two anti-aircraft guns mounted.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>Then came Constantinople. From the train, you cannot see much; mostly
+old, dirty houses, that look as <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span>if they were ready to topple over at
+the first puff of wind.</p>
+
+<p>At the station, I was met by several German aviators, and taken to the
+hotel.</p>
+
+<p>The evening, I spent with some officers and a number of gentlemen from
+the German Embassy.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 340px;"><a name="Illo9" id="Illo9"></a>
+<img src="images/i169.jpg" class="jpg gap"  width="340" height="500" alt="Ready for the Start" title="" />
+<span class="caption smcap">Ready for the Start</span>
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="Illo10" id="Illo10"></a>
+<img src="images/i170.jpg" class="jpg gap" width="500" height="377" alt="B&ouml;lcke and His Brother Max in France (August, 1916)" title="" />
+<span class="caption smcap">B&ouml;lcke and His Brother Max in France (August, 1916)</span>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">July 15, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span>went to the Agia Sofia, the largest mosque, and to the Sultan Ahmed,
+which has been changed to a barracks.</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon I went to the <i>General</i> (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.</p>
+
+<p>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&#8217;clock, at night,
+to go through the streets selling their wares.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>
+<span class="smcap">July 16, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>In the morning I went out to the <i>General</i> with Lieutenant H. to see a
+U-boat.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">July 17, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>This morning, I at last had a chance to see something of their
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon I was a guest on board the <i>General</i>.</p>
+
+<p>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
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>to the <i>Goeben</i> and <i>Breslau</i>, 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 <i>Goeben</i>,
+drank a toast to me. Who would have believed this possible a few years
+ago.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">July 18, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>To-day I took a pleasure spin on the Sea of Marmora, with S.&#8217;s
+adjutant, and his motorboat. We passed the Sultan&#8217;s palace and went to
+Skutari, where I made a short stop. Then we went to the Princes&#8217;
+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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">July 19, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span>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 G&ouml;r 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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span>
+<span class="smcap">July 20, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>Woke up south of Akbissal. Country very pretty, cultivated and
+fertile, with many herds of cattle; caravans of camel, with a mule as
+leader.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span>
+<span class="smcap">July 21, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">July 22, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">July 23, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>In the morning, again went to Cordelio for a swim, and took some jolly
+pictures.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span>
+<span class="smcap">July 24, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>Slept late. In the afternoon took a sail with several gentlemen to the
+future landing spot for seaplanes.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">July 25, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>In the morning I strolled about alone in the outlying parts of Smyrna.
+Here, things look much more &#8220;oriental.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Now I have to take the long trip to Constantinople <i>via</i> 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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span>
+<span class="smcap">July 29, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>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&mdash;Kum Kale&mdash;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">July 30, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">July 31, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">August 1, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span>time. He was very talkative and
+interesting, and talked almost only German.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">August 2, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>Toward eleven o&#8217;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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">August 3, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>The military finish I noticed in the cadet school the day before
+impressed me favorably. H. and I <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span>went to the aviation field in Sofia;
+most of the machines were Ottos.</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon, I went to the flying school with H. Our guide,
+Captain P., showed us as special attraction a Bl&eacute;riot, 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.</p>
+
+<p>In the evening, I was at supper with a military attach&eacute;, and met
+Prince Kyrill. He interested me very much, and talked quite
+intelligently about a number of things.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">August 4, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>Early in the morning, I reported to the Bulgarian Secretary of War,
+who conversed with me for a long <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">August 5, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>After an audience with the Bulgarian Chief of Staff, I went to Uskub
+<i>via</i> Kustendil in an auto. Fischer, my valet, who was along, had to
+get out <i>en route</i> 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&#8217;clock.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span>
+<span class="smcap">August 6, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">August 7, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>In the morning I paid a visit to another division of flyers, and with
+Captain E. I flew up and down the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span>Greek front. Then I went back to
+Uskub, where I spent the night.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">August 8, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">August 9, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>This morning, shortly before I left, I received a Bulgarian medal
+for courage. This was presented to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span>me by the adjutant of the Minister
+of War, together with the latter&#8217;s picture. I am now going to the
+Austrian headquarters, from where I mean to see the east front. I
+don&#8217;t know yet how I will get the time.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">August 10, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon, short auto ride; in the evening, reported to General
+Conrad.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">August 11, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>Presented myself at Archduke Frederick&#8217;s and met General Cramon. At
+eleven o&#8217;clock, went on toward Kovel.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">August 12, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>Arrived in Kovel about eight. Reported to General Linsingen.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span>
+<span class="smcap">August 15, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>Rode to Brest, which is gutted by fire.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">August 16, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">August 17, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>Rode to Wilna.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">August 18, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>Rode to Kovno and then to Berlin.</p>
+
+<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 180-3]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="TO_THE_FORTIETH_VICTORY" id="TO_THE_FORTIETH_VICTORY"></a>TO THE FORTIETH VICTORY<br />
+(Fleet Battles)</h2>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span class="smcap">Letter of September 4, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Dear Parents</span>:</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span>bursting near P. Here I found a B.-E.
+biplane, and with him three Vickers&#8217; 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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span>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&#8217; 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.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"><a name="Illo11" id="Illo11"></a>
+<img src="images/i193.jpg" class="jpg gap" width="500" height="340" alt="One of His Last Victims" title="" />
+<span class="caption smcap">One of His Last Victims</span>
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 355px;"><a name="Illo12" id="Illo12"></a>
+<img src="images/i194.jpg" class="jpg gap" width="355" height="500" alt="Starting on His Last Ride October 28, 1916&mdash;5 p. m." title="" />
+<span class="caption smcap">Starting on His Last Ride October 28, 1916&mdash;5 p. m.</span>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">September 17, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, I have made my total twenty-five.</p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span>(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 &#8217;plane. He
+fell, twisting like a boomerang. The observer fell out of the machine
+before it struck.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p><p>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.</p>
+
+<p>After a short while I saw several Englishmen circling over P. When <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>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&#8217;t be many Englishmen
+left in a little while.</p>
+
+<p>Yesterday, my officer for special <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><i>LATER</i></p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Letter of October 8, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>Yesterday you read of Number 30, but even that is a back number.
+Number 31 has followed its predecessors.</p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>On September 27th I met seven <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span>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
+&#8217;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.</p>
+
+<p>As there were enough others left I picked out a new one. He tried to
+escape, but I followed him. I fired round <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span>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
+&#8217;plane I had shot down (for eventually he must fall), I noted the
+number&mdash;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.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p><p>Number 30 was very simple, I surprised a scout above our front&mdash;we
+call these scouts &#8220;H&auml;schen&#8221; (rabbits)&mdash;fired at him; he tilted, and
+disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span>call this a fight,
+because I surprised my opponent.</p>
+
+<p>Everything goes well with me; healthy, good food, good quarters, good
+companions, and plenty to do.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">October 19, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>My flying has been quite successful in the last few days.</p>
+
+<p>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
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<p>On the 15th of October, there was a lot to do. Lately, the English
+attack at two or three o&#8217;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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span>that it raised a huge cloud of dust. That was
+Number 33.</p>
+
+<p>On October 10th, in the afternoon, I got into a fleet of six Vickers&#8217;
+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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p><p>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&mdash;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.</p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p><p>The last few days we had poor weather. Nothing to do.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="center"><i>THE LAST REPORTS</i></p>
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">October 20, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>It is lying, a wreck, five hundred meters west of A.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">October 22, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>11:45&mdash;Several of my men and I headed off two enemy biplanes coming
+from the east. Both fell. The one I attacked was shot apart.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span>
+<span class="smcap">October 22, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>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.</p>
+
+<p>Southwest of the forest at G. he landed in a huge shell-hole and broke
+his machine. The pilot was thrown out.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">October 25, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>This morning, near M., I brought down an English B.-E. biplane.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">October 26, 1916</span></p>
+
+<p>About 4:45 seven of our machines, of which I had charge, attacked some
+English biplanes west of P.</p>
+
+<p>I attacked one and wounded the observer, so he was unable to fire at
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span>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.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p class="center"><i>FROM THE LAST LETTER</i></p>
+
+<p>... 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 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span>I
+have had at this work, not to mention our advantage in knowledge of
+how to fly and shoot.</p>
+
+<hr class="medium" />
+
+<p>Telegram from the front.<a name="FNanchor_B_2" id="FNanchor_B_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_2" class="fnanchor">[B]</a></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;October 28, 1916, 7:30 in the evening.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Prepare parents: Oswald mortally injured to-day over German lines.</p>
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">&#8220;Wilhelm.</span>&#8221;</p>
+
+<hr class="large" />
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">Footnotes:</span></h3>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> The result of this was that the English wireless news
+service asserted the next day: &#8220;Yesterday Adjutant Ribi&egrave;re succeeded
+in bringing down the famous Captain B&ouml;lcke in an air battle at
+Verdun.&#8221; In the meantime I have relieved him of this misapprehension.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_B_2" id="Footnote_B_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_2"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> To his sister.</p></div>
+
+<hr class="large" />
+
+<h3><span class="smcap">Transcriber&#8217;s Notes:</span></h3>
+
+<p>1. Minor changes have been made to correct typesetters&#8217; errors; otherwise
+every effort has been made to remain true to the author&#8217;s words and intent.</p>
+
+<p>2. The original of this book did not have a Table of Contents; one has been added
+for the reader&#8217;s convenience.</p>
+
+<p>3. In the Introduction, Professor B&ouml;lcke quotes a speaker at the funeral service;
+this quote was left open in error by the typesetter; the transcriber has closed the quote
+where it appears most appropriate.</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's An Aviator's Field Book, by Oswald Bölcke
+
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+</body>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of An Aviator's Field Book, by Oswald Boelcke
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: An Aviator's Field Book
+       Being the field reports of Oswald Boelcke, from August 1,
+       1914 to October 28, 1916
+
+Author: Oswald Boelcke
+
+Translator: Robert Reynold Hirsch
+
+Release Date: September 17, 2009 [EBook #30011]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN AVIATOR'S FIELD BOOK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by D Alexander and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images generously made available by The
+Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ AN AVIATOR'S
+ FIELD BOOK
+
+ _Being the Field Reports of Oswald Boelcke,
+ 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 BOeLCKE'S LAST PICTURE]
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+                                                 FACING
+                                                   PAGE
+
+ Colonel Oswald Boelcke's Last Picture   _Frontispiece_
+
+ After His First Victory                            32
+
+ The Enemy's Aeroplane in Ruins                     33
+
+ The Master-Flier and His Men                       64
+
+ Boelcke 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
+
+ Boelcke 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 Boelcke'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 BOeLCKE, DESSAU
+
+
+Oswald Boelcke 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 Boelcke'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 Hoellenstein. 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 cafes 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: BOeLCKE 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. a 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 merite._ 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 merite_.
+
+
+                         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 Cote 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 "Pfefferruecken," 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 Cote 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 Cote 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 Ribiere succeeded
+in bringing down the famous Captain Boelcke 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 Boelcke 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 Boelcke 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 merite_" 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: BOeLCKE 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 Goer 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 Bleriot, 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 attache, 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 "Haeschen" (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 Boelcke 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 Boelcke
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