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Description: | very small characters : SILBER 890
obverse design: Oberleutnant Oswald Boelcke, bust, left profile, in uniform
obverse text: "OSWALD BÖLCKE"
reverse design: Fokker monoplane, E-type, flying from right to left. In the right distance a biplane descending in flames and in the left
distance a biplane flying from right to left. Below the aeroplanes, at base of design, a town and landscape with hills
reverse text: "DEUTSCHER HELDENMUT IN DEN LÜFTEN"
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. The reverse text is translated as
'German heroism in the air'. | Publisher: | http://www.iwm.org.uk | Subjects: | Death of & 28/10/1916 Boelcke Western Front Air Operations & Boelcke DE.A Air Service & Jasta 2 portrait / personification commemorative First World War Oswald Aircraft Accidents | Source: | Imperial War Museum | Creator: | Eue, Fritz | Identifier: | http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/o... | Go to resource |
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