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Karl Bolle (flying ace)

August 23, 2023

Rittmeister Carl Bolle (also as Karl Bolle), PlM, MMC, HOH, IC (20 June 1893 – 9 October 1955), was a fighter ace with 36 aerial victories during World War I. He became a Jagdstaffel commander during that war, and an advisor to the Luftwaffe during World War II.[1]

Karl Bolle
Karl Bolle, prior to winning the Pour le Merite
Born(1893-06-20)20 June 1893
Berlin, Germany
Died9 October 1955(1955-10-09) (aged 62)
Berlin, Germany
AllegianceGermany
Service/branchCavalry, Air Service
Years of service1913–1918
RankRittmeister
Unit7th von Seyditz Kurassier Regiment;
Kampfgeschwader der Oberste Heeresleitung IV;
Kampstaffel 23;
Jagdstaffel 28;
Jagdstaffel 2
Commands heldJagdstaffel 2
AwardsPour le Mérite;
Royal House Order of Hohenzollern;
Military Merit Cross;
Friedrich Order;
Iron Cross
Other workHelped covertly train pilots for secret founding of Luftwaffe.

Life before flying

Karl Bolle was born in Berlin on 20 June 1893,[2] to a family owning a well-known dairy. He studied economics at The University of Oxford in 1912, and was also well known for his athletic prowess, playing ice hockey while there.[3]

He returned home to Germany to enlist as a leutnant (lieutenant) in the 7th (Magdeburg) Cuirassiers "von Seydlitz" Regiment in 1913 as a one-year volunteer. At the start of World War I his regiment served on the Western Front,[1] fighting in Belgium and the First Battle of the Marne. It was then transferred to the Eastern Front; Bolle seeing action in Poland and in Courland in Latvia.[4] By the end of 1915, Bolle had won an award for bravery, the Iron Cross, Second Class and transferred to the Luftstreitkräfte.[2]

Aerial service in World War I

He undertook his initial training at Johannistal, then was forwarded to Fliegerersatz-Abteilung 5 in Hannover, Germany. Later he trained to become a fighter pilot at Valenciennes, France, at Jastaschule I.[1] The standard German practice was to be trained initially and serve initially in a two-seater unit, in this case Kampfgeschwader der Oberste Heeresleitung IV, and then later transfer for training as a fighter pilot at a Jastaschule where they would be closely tutored by experts with frontline experience. They also had access to captured British and French fighters to familiarize themselves with their opponent's aircraft.[citation needed]

At any rate, upon completion, he was assigned to the bombing group Kampfgeschwader der Oberste Heeresleitung IV in July 1916.[1]

Bolle was wounded in October, 1916 in combat with five French fighters. He crash landed within friendly lines and despite his own injury dragged his injured observer safely out of the shell-fire directed at their downed aircraft.[3]

Upon his recovery, he had been assigned to Kampfstaffel 23 of Kampfgeschwader der Oberste Heeresleitung IV; Lothar von Richthofen was assigned as his observer/gunner.[4] It was about this time that Bolle was awarded the Kingdom of Württemberg's 2nd Class Knight's Cross of the Friedrich Order.[1] He was the only fighter ace to win this award.[5]

Bolle went to Jastaschule (fighter pilot's training) in early 1917. He joined Jagdstaffel 28 in April 1917, while still recuperating from a leg wound. While assigned as a non-flying adjutant, he began tutelage on the fighter pilot's craft with two aces, Karl Emil Schaefer and Otto Hartmann, as well as Bolle's friend, Max Ritter von Müller.[3]

In July he commenced operational flying with Jagdstaffel 28. His first victory was over an Airco DH.4 of No. 57 Squadron RFC on 8 August 1917. He scored once more in August and victories in December 1917 and January 1918 made him an ace by 30 January.[1]

Bolle in command

He was then promoted to Oberleutnant and transferred to command Jagdstaffel 2 on 20 February 1918 at Marcke, France. This was the squadron that Oswald Boelcke had commanded[6] as he invented the first fighter tactics, strategy, and organization. It was being re-equipped with Fokker Dr.I triplanes as it was being incorporated into Jagdgeschwader 3. It was a dispirited squadron, having lost three consecutive Pour le Mérite holding commanding officers killed in action.[7] Bolle was destined to be the final commander of Jagdstaffel 2.[2]

Despite seemingly modest credentials, Bolle set his mark upon the squadron. The Fokker Dr.I triplane supplied was a plane of limited speed but great maneuverability and climb rate. Its slower speed made it more difficult to close to short distance for gunnery against faster fighters. Bolle's solution was the use of an Oigee telescopic sight for his guns.[7] He also painted distinctive white stripes on his upper wings, to denote his leadership role,[8][9] along with a yellow fuselage band edged by black and white to honor his old cavalry regiment.[10][11]

Bolle's command of English turned out to be handy upon occasion, when he questioned downed British Empire fliers.[3]

He opened his tally with Jagdstaffel 2 on 25 April 1918, as part of a huge air offensive launched to support ground assault on Kemmel Ridge.[3] He then began a steady collection of single and double victories, with five in May, seven in June, nine in July and three in August. In August, 1918, when he had scored 28 victories, he received the Military Merit Cross, and the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern; the Pour le Mérite (commonly known as the Blue Max) was bestowed on the 28th.[2]

Bolle did not score again until 1 November. On 4 November, he downed four Allied fighters:[1] two RAF SE.5as of 56 Squadron RAF and two Sopwith Snipes of 4 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps. The Snipes (claimed with Leut.Ernst Bormann) were flown by aces Captain Thomas Baker (12 victories) and Lt. A. J. Palliser (7).[12] These were Bolle's final victories.[1]

A week later, he and his pilots defiantly marked their Fokker D.VIIs with their names and victory scores before surrendering them into British hands at Nivelles, Belgium.[4]

Bolle's final score of 36 victories included a preponderance of wins over enemy fighters; he downed 25. The other 11 victories were two-seater reconnaissance, ground attack, and bomber aircraft. More importantly, he led Jagdstaffel 2 through the intense battles of 1918 to the second highest victory total in the German Air Force, with a total of 336 victories to the Jasta.[6]

Post World War I

After war's end, he became a flying instructor. He also became the Director of the Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule (German Air Transport School) in the 1920s. Subsequently, he helped in the covert training of pilots for the Luftwaffe.[3]

During World War II, he served as an advisor with the Luftwaffe, reporting to Hermann Göring.[4]

Karl Bolle died in his native city of Berlin on 9 October 1955.[4]

Honors and awards

Sources of information

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Karl Bolle". Theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  2. ^ a b c d e Franks et al 1993, p. 80.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Franks et al 2001, pp. 60–62.
  4. ^ a b c d e Franks, VanWyngarden 2003, pp. 74–75.
  5. ^ "World War I Military Medals and Decorations - Germany - Friedrich Order [Württemberg]". Theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  6. ^ a b "Jasta 2 (Boelcke)". Theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  7. ^ a b Franks et al 2001, pp. 55–56.
  8. ^ Franks, VanWyngarden 2003, Back matter.
  9. ^ "Tom Plesha : Rittm. Karl Bolle's Fokker D.VII". Wwi-models.org. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  10. ^ Franks, VanWyngarden 2003, pp. 37, 74.
  11. ^ VanWingarden et al 2007, p. 106.
  12. ^ Franks et al 1993, p. 83.

References

External links

  • Directart.co.uk Accessed 14 September 2008

August 23, 2023
karl, bolle, flying, rittmeister, carl, bolle, also, karl, bolle, june, 1893, october, 1955, fighter, with, aerial, victories, during, world, became, jagdstaffel, commander, during, that, advisor, luftwaffe, during, world, karl, bollekarl, bolle, prior, winnin. Rittmeister Carl Bolle also as Karl Bolle PlM MMC HOH IC 20 June 1893 9 October 1955 was a fighter ace with 36 aerial victories during World War I He became a Jagdstaffel commander during that war and an advisor to the Luftwaffe during World War II 1 Karl BolleKarl Bolle prior to winning the Pour le MeriteBorn 1893 06 20 20 June 1893Berlin GermanyDied9 October 1955 1955 10 09 aged 62 Berlin GermanyAllegianceGermanyService wbr branchCavalry Air ServiceYears of service1913 1918RankRittmeisterUnit7th von Seyditz Kurassier Regiment Kampfgeschwader der Oberste Heeresleitung IV Kampstaffel 23 Jagdstaffel 28 Jagdstaffel 2Commands heldJagdstaffel 2AwardsPour le Merite Royal House Order of Hohenzollern Military Merit Cross Friedrich Order Iron CrossOther workHelped covertly train pilots for secret founding of Luftwaffe Contents 1 Life before flying 2 Aerial service in World War I 3 Bolle in command 4 Post World War I 5 Honors and awards 6 Sources of information 7 References 8 External linksLife before flying EditKarl Bolle was born in Berlin on 20 June 1893 2 to a family owning a well known dairy He studied economics at The University of Oxford in 1912 and was also well known for his athletic prowess playing ice hockey while there 3 He returned home to Germany to enlist as a leutnant lieutenant in the 7th Magdeburg Cuirassiers von Seydlitz Regiment in 1913 as a one year volunteer At the start of World War I his regiment served on the Western Front 1 fighting in Belgium and the First Battle of the Marne It was then transferred to the Eastern Front Bolle seeing action in Poland and in Courland in Latvia 4 By the end of 1915 Bolle had won an award for bravery the Iron Cross Second Class and transferred to the Luftstreitkrafte 2 Aerial service in World War I EditHe undertook his initial training at Johannistal then was forwarded to Fliegerersatz Abteilung 5 in Hannover Germany Later he trained to become a fighter pilot at Valenciennes France at Jastaschule I 1 The standard German practice was to be trained initially and serve initially in a two seater unit in this case Kampfgeschwader der Oberste Heeresleitung IV and then later transfer for training as a fighter pilot at a Jastaschule where they would be closely tutored by experts with frontline experience They also had access to captured British and French fighters to familiarize themselves with their opponent s aircraft citation needed At any rate upon completion he was assigned to the bombing group Kampfgeschwader der Oberste Heeresleitung IV in July 1916 1 Bolle was wounded in October 1916 in combat with five French fighters He crash landed within friendly lines and despite his own injury dragged his injured observer safely out of the shell fire directed at their downed aircraft 3 Upon his recovery he had been assigned to Kampfstaffel 23 of Kampfgeschwader der Oberste Heeresleitung IV Lothar von Richthofen was assigned as his observer gunner 4 It was about this time that Bolle was awarded the Kingdom of Wurttemberg s 2nd Class Knight s Cross of the Friedrich Order 1 He was the only fighter ace to win this award 5 Bolle went to Jastaschule fighter pilot s training in early 1917 He joined Jagdstaffel 28 in April 1917 while still recuperating from a leg wound While assigned as a non flying adjutant he began tutelage on the fighter pilot s craft with two aces Karl Emil Schaefer and Otto Hartmann as well as Bolle s friend Max Ritter von Muller 3 In July he commenced operational flying with Jagdstaffel 28 His first victory was over an Airco DH 4 of No 57 Squadron RFC on 8 August 1917 He scored once more in August and victories in December 1917 and January 1918 made him an ace by 30 January 1 Bolle in command EditHe was then promoted to Oberleutnant and transferred to command Jagdstaffel 2 on 20 February 1918 at Marcke France This was the squadron that Oswald Boelcke had commanded 6 as he invented the first fighter tactics strategy and organization It was being re equipped with Fokker Dr I triplanes as it was being incorporated into Jagdgeschwader 3 It was a dispirited squadron having lost three consecutive Pour le Merite holding commanding officers killed in action 7 Bolle was destined to be the final commander of Jagdstaffel 2 2 Despite seemingly modest credentials Bolle set his mark upon the squadron The Fokker Dr I triplane supplied was a plane of limited speed but great maneuverability and climb rate Its slower speed made it more difficult to close to short distance for gunnery against faster fighters Bolle s solution was the use of an Oigee telescopic sight for his guns 7 He also painted distinctive white stripes on his upper wings to denote his leadership role 8 9 along with a yellow fuselage band edged by black and white to honor his old cavalry regiment 10 11 Bolle s command of English turned out to be handy upon occasion when he questioned downed British Empire fliers 3 He opened his tally with Jagdstaffel 2 on 25 April 1918 as part of a huge air offensive launched to support ground assault on Kemmel Ridge 3 He then began a steady collection of single and double victories with five in May seven in June nine in July and three in August In August 1918 when he had scored 28 victories he received the Military Merit Cross and the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern the Pour le Merite commonly known as the Blue Max was bestowed on the 28th 2 Bolle did not score again until 1 November On 4 November he downed four Allied fighters 1 two RAF SE 5as of 56 Squadron RAF and two Sopwith Snipes of 4 Squadron Australian Flying Corps The Snipes claimed with Leut Ernst Bormann were flown by aces Captain Thomas Baker 12 victories and Lt A J Palliser 7 12 These were Bolle s final victories 1 A week later he and his pilots defiantly marked their Fokker D VIIs with their names and victory scores before surrendering them into British hands at Nivelles Belgium 4 Bolle s final score of 36 victories included a preponderance of wins over enemy fighters he downed 25 The other 11 victories were two seater reconnaissance ground attack and bomber aircraft More importantly he led Jagdstaffel 2 through the intense battles of 1918 to the second highest victory total in the German Air Force with a total of 336 victories to the Jasta 6 Post World War I EditAfter war s end he became a flying instructor He also became the Director of the Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule German Air Transport School in the 1920s Subsequently he helped in the covert training of pilots for the Luftwaffe 3 During World War II he served as an advisor with the Luftwaffe reporting to Hermann Goring 4 Karl Bolle died in his native city of Berlin on 9 October 1955 4 Honors and awards EditKingdom of Prussia s Pour le Merite 28 August 1918 Knight s Cross with Swords of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern August 1918 Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg Schwerin s Military Merit Cross with Swords August 1918 Prussian Iron Cross First Class Prussian Iron Cross Second Class 1915 Kingdom of Wurttemberg s Friedrich Order Knight Second Class with Swords 2 Sources of information Edit a b c d e f g h Karl Bolle Theaerodrome com Retrieved 2015 07 26 a b c d e Franks et al 1993 p 80 a b c d e f Franks et al 2001 pp 60 62 a b c d e Franks VanWyngarden 2003 pp 74 75 World War I Military Medals and Decorations Germany Friedrich Order Wurttemberg Theaerodrome com Retrieved 2015 07 26 a b Jasta 2 Boelcke Theaerodrome com Retrieved 2015 07 26 a b Franks et al 2001 pp 55 56 Franks VanWyngarden 2003 Back matter Tom Plesha Rittm Karl Bolle s Fokker D VII Wwi models org Retrieved 2015 07 26 Franks VanWyngarden 2003 pp 37 74 VanWingarden et al 2007 p 106 Franks et al 1993 p 83 References EditFranks Norman Bailey Frank W Guest Russell Above the Lines The Aces and Fighter Units of the German Air Service Naval Air Service and Flanders Marine Corps 1914 1918 Grub Street 1993 ISBN 0 948817 73 9 ISBN 978 0 948817 73 1 Franks Norman et al Fokker Dr I Aces of World War I 2001 Osprey Publishing ISBN 1 84176 223 7 ISBN 978 1 84176 223 4 Franks Norman VanWyngarden Greg Fokker D VII Aces of World War 1 Osprey Publishing 2003 ISBN 1 84176 533 3 ISBN 978 1 84176 533 4 VanWyngarden Greg et al Jagdstaffel 2 Boelcke 2007 Osprey Publishing ISBN 1 84603 203 2 ISBN 978 1 84603 203 5 External links EditDirectart co uk Accessed 14 September 2008 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Karl Bolle flying ace amp oldid 1136820566, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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