Germany, Imperial. A Signed, Black-and-White Photograph of Flying Ace Oswald Boelcke, KIA

(Foto). A black-and-white photograph of Hauptmann Oswald Boelcke (1891-1916), presenting Boelcke in uniform, with the Pour le Merite as his neck, the obverse presents his signature in black ink, the reverse presents the writing stating Hauptmann Boelcke in black ink, measuring 8.8 cm (w) x 13.7 cm (h), presenting slightly scuffed corners, and in overall extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Oswald Boelcke (born 19 May 1891 in Glebichenstein, Saalhreis, died October 28, 1916 in Baupaume, Pas-de-Calais, France) was one of the most famous German flying aces in the First World War and one of the most influential patrol leaders and tacticians of the early years of air combat. He is considered the father of the German fighter air force, as well as the "Father of Air Fighting Tactics." He was the first to formalize rules of air combat, which he presented as the "Dicta Boelcke". While he promulgated rules for the individual pilot, his main concern was the use of formation fighting rather than single effort. Boelcke died on 28 October 1916, when his aircraft and that of Erwin Bohme made contact during a dogfight. The upper wing of Boelcke's machine was torn in half by Bohme's landing gear, with Boelcke being killed on impact with the ground at the age of 25.