Manfred albrecht freiherr von richthofen

If followed assiduously, the Dicta tactics often led to an unseen approach for a surprise attack. Foolish acts of bravery only bring death.

Manfred von Richthofen

Try to place yourself between the sun and the enemy. For the Staffel squadron : Attack in principle in groups of four or six. Equipped with one of the first fighter aircraft, Boelcke became Germany's foremost flying ace during and Because of his success in aerial combat and analytic mind, he was tasked by Colonel Hermann von der Lieth-Thomsen with writing a pamphlet on aerial tactics.

If your opponent dives on you, do not try to evade his onslaught, but fly to meet it.

Still another version can be found online. During early , Boelcke wrote a brochure entitled "Experiences of Air Fighting", giving tips for attacking any one of three types of opposing aircraft. When the fight breaks up into a series of single combats, take care that several do not go for the same opponent. Keep your eye on the enemy and do not allow him to deceive you with tricks. This was not unique; a few other fliers in the war were sharing such combat tips with one another on a personal level.

For the Staffel squadron : Attack on principle in groups of four or six. The Jasta squadron must fight as a unit with close teamwork between all pilots. Climb before and during the approach in order to surprise the enemy from above, and dive on him swiftly from the rear when the moment to attack is at hand. After Immelmann's death, Boelcke was withdrawn from combat on 27 June , while he was the war's leading ace, and assigned to Fliegertruppe Flying Troops headquarters.

It was two years before the British and French followed suit in Always carry through an attack when you have started it. When over the enemy's lines never forget your own line of retreat. Based on his successful combat experiences, he used his training as a professional soldier and his powers as an analytic thinker to design tactics for the use of aircraft in battle.

Attack when the enemy least expects it or when he is preoccupied with other duties such as observation, photography, or bombing. There are various versions of the Dicta.

Dicta Boelcke - Wikipedia

In any form of attack it is essential to assail your enemy from behind. During mid-May , he began to fly one of the original fighter aircraft equipped with a synchronized gun. This puts the glare of the sun in the enemy's eyes and makes it difficult to see you and impossible for him to shoot with any accuracy. Completed in June , it was distributed throughout the German Army's Air Service Die Fliegertruppen des Deutschen Reiches , some two years before the French and British militaries followed suit with their own tactical guides.

Always keep your eye on your opponent, and never let yourself be deceived by ruses.

Manfred von Richthofen - Wikipedia

Oswald Boelcke was one of the first German pilots successful in air-to-air combat. The signals of its leaders must be obeyed. In mid, Boelcke codified his tactics in the Dicta Boelcke , which was the world's first tactical manual for an air force. Always try to secure an advantageous position before attacking.

When the fight breaks up into a series of single combats, take care that several do not go for one opponent. Fire only at close range, and only when your opponent is properly in your sights. If you are surprised by an attack on your tail, turn and face the enemy with your guns. Often flying with Max Immelmann , Boelcke gained experience in the new realm of aerial combat as he discovered the utility of having a wingman, of massing fighter planes for increased fighting power, and of flying loose formations allowing individual pilots tactical independence.

As he began to shoot down opposing French and British airplanes, he became one of the first German fighter aces. As part of his staff duties revamping the Fliegertruppe into the Luftstreitkräfte Air Force in early October , Boelcke wrote the Dicta , which was then distributed throughout the Luftstreitkräfte as the world's first tactical manual. If your opponent seems damaged, follow him down until he crashes to be sure he is not faking.

His reassignment was in line with the German military doctrine of Auftragstaktik , or order tactics: The belief that the junior officer on the battlefield best knows the tactics needed there. The French Aeronautique Militaire was concentrating its efforts on building up its bomber force. Never turn your back and try to run away from an enemy fighter.

During this period of pioneering aerial warfare, the British Royal Flying Corps air effort could be summed up by "Attack everything". Boelcke tried to interest Immelmann in devising a tactical doctrine for fighters, to no avail. Do not fire the machine guns until the enemy is within range and you have him squarely within your sights.