Death of Flying ace Oswald Boelcke ND

Reverse

Three aircrafts flying over a landscape, one in the right background hit and falling.

Script: Latin

Lettering: DEUTSCHER HELDENMUT IN DEN LÜFTEN.

Engraver: Friedrich Wilhelm Eue

Comment

First World War portrait medal by Fritz Eue (with a reverse design attributed to E Wrede) of Oswald Boelcke (1891- 1916), one in a series of patriotic medallic tributes to German military commanders and national figure produced by the artist during the war. Boelcke was one of Germany's most widely admired and successful fighter 'aces' of the First World War. Having started his military career in a telegraph unit in 1911, he transferred to a flying unit on the outbreak of war. By 1916 he had amassed more 'kills' than any other German pilot, most of his victories being achieved in the skies above Verdun. Boelcke was killed in action on 28 October 1916 when his machine collided with another during a dogfight with French and British fighters. His disabled machine crash-landed and he was killed on impact. At the time of his death Boelcke was credited with a total of 40 officially recorded kills.