Section 1 
From the beginning of war until the first victory.

Halberstadt, 1. August, 1914

There is still no saying where I will come from here. My old mobilization order brought me to the frontline as the station leader of a reconnaissance squadron. But this is cancelled and I know nothing about my whereabouts yet. I think I will be informed by telegraph either today or tomorrow.

Darmstadt, 3. August, 1914

Landed happily here after a little detour via Cologne. I am very happy to spend today and tomorrow with B(alzer) and my other old comrades. Then they will go; only me poor will have to stay here at the replacement unit. I think it will be our turn in about 14 days too.

Trier, 29. August, 1914

Arrived safely here. Drove 30hp Opel via Koblenz myself. Wonderful tour by car! Passed my third examination test in Darmstadt.

(La) F(erté)., 3. September, 1914

I started last night with an Unteroffizier (airman 1st class) at six o'clock, landing here straight at seven o'clock. It was a very nice flight.

Notice: Please refer to the Appendix section 4 for details regarding Oswald Boelcke's flight from Trier to La Ferté! 

According to Professor Johannes Werner, Oswald wrote his first letter home on September 4, which does not match this entry.

Ch(atel near Varennes), Friday, 4. September, 1914

I've been with the unit for two days now. Because I had no observer with me, Wilhelm immediately reserved me for himself . Of course I prefer to fly with Wilhelm because he has most presentiment and practical experience. Because he knows the region already well, he needs no map for orientation anymore. We cruised above the enemy positions at an altitude of two thousand eight hundred meters ( 8484ft) until he had peered out everything. Then we quickly flew back. He had explored the complete enemy position. Based on his report, the first salvos hit the enemy artillery properly. 

As I arrived at the airfield on the next afternoon, two aircraft were already gone; Wilhelm too. For me, there was a written order to observe the enemy there and there. At my aircraft stood the Unteroffizier (airman 1st class) who came with me from Trier, saying he was going to fly with with me. This appeared strange to me since I was originally meant to fly with Wilhelm. I took the seat and flew away with the Unteroffizier because I knew the region already from the first time I was there. We had quite a distance to fly so we were on our way for two hours. I flew above the defined roads going along and through the Argons forest, marking with a red pencil on the map what I saw. Above T [Varennes (1)] we encountered heavy (anti-aircraft) artillery fire at an altitude of two thousand five hundred Meters (8250ft)(2). I felt a bit scared. To the right, we saw little clouds rising, then a few more right and left of us. That were the clouds of the exploding artillery shells. Now I laugh over it. Those things actually never hit if one flies two thousand five hundred Meters (8250ft) high, like we did. At 07.10hrs, I landed straight here at our field. But what did I get for cruising around over the enemy for two and a half hours? Got a good hiding!. I didn't even completely shut off my engine as Wilhelm came running along, starting to punch me: "Where have you been? What did you do? Are you completely mad?" You should never fly without my consent! Never, when I am not with you!" ...and so on, ...and so on. He only calmed down after I solemnly promised to him to never do that again.

On Wednesday evening we felt a great joy as two of our missed ones returned. They had to land on enemy territory after their engine quit. They was barely down as the "Pisangs"(3) came for them from all sides. Only by a hasty getaway they was able to save themselves into a nearby wood, the men roaring behind them and the women screaming. They sat in the encircled little wood until the night came but escaped into the Argonne forest under the shelter of darkness, even though it had been shot after them. There they wandered around between French troops for five days. Wandering only at night and having only roots and berries to eat, they already wanted to let themselves being captured. But there, on the seventh day early, they heard "sweet" tunes:  "Close up you twisted swine!" That was a German Dragon patrol. They brought them along then.

St. M(enehould). 10. September, 1914

Yesterday I went to the foot artillery positions from where I watched the battlefield. That's to say one couldn't see much, or nothing at all. No troops visible, only here or there one could see single riders or people. That's to say, one originally saw little or nothing. No troops, just single riders or people here and there. The only visible were detonation spots of artillery shells and burning villages. For that, so much more one could hear - there was the hollow shooting of the foot artillery, the clearer banging of the field artillery as well as the rat-a-tat-tat of the rifles. On our way to a Staff we came along the reserve troops. That was a complete manoeuver picture: Some cooked something for themselves while some others walked around, but most laid on the belly, taking a nonchalant nap despite the nearby battle.

At half past five in the evening we was in the air. I now watched from the air what I had previously seen on the ground. Still there was a fierce fighting and as far as one could see there were burning villages. Around half past seven we was down on the ground again.

This was the official entry printed in the 1916 edition of the Field Reports. However, the Boelcke biography from 1932 included a different and by far more detailed letter that Boelcke wrote home on that day. You can see that only a fragment of his letter was allowed to be printed in the Field Reports. The corresponding text, which is a repetition of the above, is printed in black bold letters for you.
 
Because Wlhelm has no time I must take on the letter writing. The last time I wrote you from Châtel. Because our army had advanced on the 5. September, we received order from the General Command to transfer the unit to St. Menehould already in the evening. Together with Unteroffizier (airman 1st class) Menge I started first on the other morning. Menge, because I had no own observer and because Wilhelm always has to fly with Meartens in case we change position. I had barely climbed 500m (1640ft) as I was already in the middle of clouds that became thicker and thicker. This first was a bit weird to me since I never had been flying into clouds, espcecially because I had to cross over the Argonne forest. But I said to myself: The clouds must end sometime, and I was climbing until I was above it. Now I was flying after the sun and after the clock: 10min with the sun in my back - after all I must have crossed the Argonne forest now! I descended through the clouds and look there - it was true. I now could fly untroubled to St. Menehould at a height of 500m (1640ft), where I found Wilhelm already with his aircraft. He was very happy that I found my way through so easily. We immediately did a reconaissance flight of 2 1/2hrs.

On the 7. September I couldn't fly at all. The bad thing at our squadron is it to have less aircraft then men - actually only 5 - making it necessary to alternate so that everybody gets his turn. To kill time I tried a French racing car that we discovered here and I spoke French with the local folks for exercising.

We found a good accomodation here again. Our casino is at the house of a French lieutenant of the Curassiers. Because Madame had conserved so many fruits I now feast on such things with delight. Thanks to our excellent cook called "Adlon", our  feeding is generally great. Table drink: Champagne.

On the 8. September I started early at 06.20 to a very interesting flight together with Wilhellm. We went South of Bar-le-Duc. There we saw a French airfield with 12 tents. Two machines started. At first we did not care too much about them since we was at 2800m (ca 9186ft). But as we suddently noticed that the chaps was hunting for us and because Wilhelm had finished his observations anway we made a quick getaway. Because we were unarmed we did not feel for trying out if it was true that part of the French aircraft now is equipped with machine guns. Wilhelm had collected a complete woolly hat full of information. He ran for a car immediately after landing to get to the General Command as soon as possible. Then the other gentlemen were kidding: "A car - two, three, four cars for Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) Boelcke". They believe that is grinding but they do not understand that it is a sacred zeal.

Yesterday I saw the serious side of war for the first time. Early in the morning, I drove to the 11. and 12. Division as well as to the foot artillery together with the Hauptmann (captain) and Wilhelm - through shot up and burned villages; left and right of the street were fresh soldiers graves and dead horses were everywhere. At a church yard that was stormed by the Germans on the night before, the dead still lay unburried, most of them being Unteroffiziere (corporals) who had lead the way. Then I saw the battlefield. That's to say, one originally saw little or nothing. No troops, just single riders or people here and there. The only visible was detonation spots of artillery shells and burning villages. For that, so much more one could hear - there was the hollow shooting of the foot artillery, the clearer banging of the field artillery as well as the rattling sound of the rifles. On our way to a Staff we came along the reserve troops. That was a complete manoeuver picture: Some cooked something for themselves while some other walked around, but most laid on the belly, taking a nonchalant nap despite the nearby battle.

Finally, the gentlemen drove to our General Command. I was unassumingly standing by indeed. Then the Exz. v. Pritzelwitz (4) was asking Wilhelm: "Is that your brother?". Then he came up to me, shook my hand, slabbed my shoulder and said: "You two are doing a good job!" 

Because Wilhelm still had to arrange something with the foot artillery, we drove from the General Command to Villotte again. The battle was severe now because the Infantry Regiment 157 just pushed forward. There I heard the infantery bullets whisteling for the first time - ricochets that was going over our heads.

Because we also had a breakdown (of the car), we arrived only at 5 o'clock back at our field. We had a quick lunch because Wilhelm wanted to be in the air again at 05.30 to explore something the General Command attached great importance to. Night was already falling as we landed, oriented by flares. Wilhelm immediately drove to the General Command again with the Hauptmann (captain).

Today is closing-day because it's raining. Once again I had a good sleep. At noon, as I arrived at the Casino, I saw Wilhelm decorated with his Iron Cross. Last night, the officer in command gave it to him as well as to Hauptmann (captain) Streccius with words of highest appreciation, then he hugged them both. It were the first Crosses awarded to our corps. I was very happy for Wilhelm - he really deserves it.

The Frenchmen has left their positions tonight, escaping us once more. They know it so well to run away that we cannot seize them. But we will get them, nevertheless! 

B(uzancy)., 16. September, 1914

Yesterday, three of us tried to fly reconnaissance but they all had to come back again because they couldn't see nothing due to clouds. This morning it was my turn to fly but today it's raining again. We are sitting already in a heated room. Beside of us, a funny fire is cracking at the fireplace. My back will soon be brown. From time to time one has to change position so the  other side may be roasted as well. Later, the radio operators want to come over to play Schafskopf (lit. blockhead - a very popular German card game). C'est la guerre! (That's war!).

In the biography from 1932, this letter was titled: "Backwards!" It contains interesting information about the withdrawal of the Germans that was previously censored:

Early in the morning of the 13., we left St Menehould to fly back here in storm and bad weather. Already days before, bad rumors came up about the defeat of the 1. and the 2 armies. You can imagine how low that our spirit was. We always  advanced - but now it is suddenly said to go back. 

Since the 12th, the whole day long backward going troops and baggage came through Menehould, including the General Command VI. As the clouds broke in the afternoon, Wilhelm and I tried to get an overview of the situation from the air. Above the enemy we were strongly shot at. We observed that the Frenchmen followed our retrieving troops only very slowly. Apparently they too did not really know what was going on - first they got a spanking, then the victors retrieved!

In the evening hours, our departure got prepared. Because only a batallion of Landwehr (militia) remained with us in St. Menehould and because we had to be prepared for a possible (enemy) raid, we slept in our clothing, weapons at hand. From 1/2 3 early in the morning, one could hear canon thunder for hours, but the expected raid did not happen. For that, the storm raged through the chimney and heavy rain was clapping against the windows. As we got together for coffee at 6, we all made serious faces. Bu we had to go away - even if heaven would collapse. 

We started at 7.10 with a crosswind of 25 m/second. Wilhelm was first to start with Maertens, then came I because we wanted to stay together if ever possible. My observer was Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) Jaenicke, who was completely down with his nerves. I felt really sorry for the poor guy because it wasn't nice up there at all. For me it wasn't that bad. Being the pilot, I have complete control of the ship and I know what's going on, but the poor guy in the front seat with his broken nerves must not have felt any good sometimes. I soon lost sight of Wilhelm because it is very difficult to follow each other in such a weather. But nevertheless we happily arrived at our destination. Our tents weren't there yet so we had to stake our aircraft and have the Landwehr (militia) guarding them to prevent the wind from taking them away.

In Buzancy, which is located at the main traffic road and where many convoys had been passing through, there wasn't a single house left where everything wasn't in chaotic disorder. Only after much searching we found an acceptable accomodation. Additionally there was this bloody awful weather and the retreat - our spirit really wasn't much rosy.

The only nice thing is that my Darmstadtarian(5) radio operators arrived here on the same day than we did to have a few days off. In our situation it appears very strange to exchange memories about dance parties with my friend Balzer. Also I met my Metzian(6) Inspektionsoffizier (inspection officer) Giersberg here again, who is now squadron leader of the 13. Dragoons. In the field, one is always happy to meet old friends again. 

We are sitting already in a heated room. Beside us, a funny fire is cracking at the fireplace. My back will soon be brown. From time to time one has to change position so the other side may be roasted as well. Later, the radio operators want to come over to play Schafskopf (lit. blockhead - a very popular German card game). C'est la guerre! (That's war!).

Yesterday the French tried to break through at Vienne, but the attack had been knocked off. Today there is only little canon thunder. We don't know what will actually be, but we all think that we'll advance again soon.

B., 12. October, 1914

I received the Iron Cross tonight (EK II - Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse - Iron Cross Second Class).

This is the official entry from the Field Reports, mentioned to be written in "B" which could point to "Bethune" to lead enemy readers astray. In fact, the 1932 biography contains a letter that was written in Pontfaverger on that day:

B(Pontfaverger)., 25. October, 1914

For weeks the weather was so foggy that we felt like having already retired from active service. Only three days ago it changed from bad to fair. We then took our profit out of it. Early at nine we took place in the aircraft, "working" until five thirty in the evening. Five times I started on that day. First Wilhelm observed, then he adjusted our artillery in the afternoon for there was some enemy batteries that your artillery couldn't see. We arranged that our artillery will fire when we fly over the enemy artillery positions. Wilhelm observes if the shells hit the right place and fires a colored flare in case they shot either too short, too far, to much to the right or to much to the left. That's done until our guns are properly homed in onto the target. First, the whole thing didn't work at all. I had to stopover near Nauroy twice because Wilhelm had to discuss everything more in detail with our artillerists. But then (on the 22nd), an enemy battery could be shot in pieces. On the next day we was able to home in on three enemy batteries in three and a half hours. This kind of flying is very exhausting for both, observer and pilot because one must be very careful. Last night, Wilhelm was at the General Command, coming back with the E.K.I (Iron Cross 1st Class). He now has six thousand five hundred Kilometers above the enemy, me three thousand four hundred. 

27. October, 1914

Wilhelm now discovered nine enemy batteries south of M.and south-east of Reims, one of them in the immediate vincity of the Dome.

5. November, 1914

Because the weather now mostly turns bad some time in the morning, we mostly fly immediately after sunrise, which is around 07.30am. Today there was movements at several places - they needed to get some on their cap. Shortly after 07.30am. we were up. Everything went fine so we finished already after one hour. Then we visited our batteries again. We now fly for four batteries who only fire if we home them in. When they got a target, they shower it up at the next possible occasion. So we flew two more times today, (all in all three times), to disable four enemy batteries. We now do that business on a large scale.

10. November, 1914

Wilhelm now has nine thousand four hundred, me six thousand three hundred Kilometers above the enemy.

letter from the 15. November, 1914

...mother should not think that all that flying is getting on our nerves. Contrary is rather the case! It really makes us nervous if we cannot fly for several days due to rain etc.. Then we stand at the window to see if it won't get better soon. With "nerves", everything can be excused.

B., 30. November, 1914

Unfortunately I still did not get the Fokker machine that I wanted to pick up in R. Due to its great speed, climbing ability and agility, the Fokker is well suited for the artillery flying that we are now doing. For me a new machine was ordered at the factory but one cannot know if and when I will receive it.

B., 9. December, 1914

Bad weather. No big missions. Now we should be in the East, where something is going on. Yesterday I was in R. to get my Fokker which had arrived in the meantime; a small single seater with an in front-lying French rotary engine, about half the size of a "Taube". That's the latest machine that I couldn't fly yet; now I fly all the types that we have in Germany. The Fokker was my big Christmas gift. I now have two machines: The big biplane for long flights, the small Fokker for artillery flying. That thing holds the air wonderfully and is very easy to handle. Now my two "babies" are peacefully standing together in a tent, the little one's tail digged in a bit under the wings of the big one.

B., 21. January, 1915

We was above the enemy since Christmas: 1 1/2 hours on 24. December, 1 hour on  25. December, 1 hour on 30. December, 1 hour on 6. January, 4 hours on 12. January and 2 hours on 18 January. Because of the constant rain and storm, it was not possible to fly more often. It doesn't make much sense anyway to fly now for as long as we don't want to advance. We are here lying opposite of each other for months and each one knows the enemies positions exactly. Lateral displacement, surpassings, deployment of important reserves etc. - like in the motion war - aren't to be explored at all. It would only make sense to do artillery flying but like we don't want to advance at the moment our artillery isn't much shooting. In this period of war it suffices that an aircraft is looking behind the front from time to time to see if nothing has changed.

B., 27. January, 1915

This morning, our Hauptmann (captain) gave R. and me the E.K.I (Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse - Iron Cross First Class).

B., 25. April, 1915

On tomorrow we will definitely move away from here. I am posted to Fliegerabteilung... that will be setup now. On tomorrow I will drive to Berlin to report at the "Inspektion der Fliegertruppen" (also known as IdFlieg).

B., 16. Mai, 1915

Happy at old B. again. Our trip didn't take long

B., 17. Mai, 1915

We've just arrived but we'll have to move away again this afternoon. I am very glad. Other region where something's going on.

D., 22. Mai, 1915

I hoped we had a lot to do here but weather thwarted our plans. We had enough time to settle in, fix our machines, test-fly them, etc. The town is undamaged and most of the population is still here. This little town gives me a little impression of Zerbst. There is a modern part with mansions etc, an old part with patrician houses, rests of walls, an old town hall and similar. The inhabitants are going very well. All stores as well as the bars, hotels and cafe's are open. I am going to a cafe on every day together with two of my comrades, Fähnrich (cadet) Immelmann and Leutnant (lieutenant) P.

D., 25. Mai, 1915

It happened by chance that I became the witness of a great military event. Because I did not need to fly on the afternoon, I went to the artillery observation post with our Hauptmann (captain). At about four o'clock we was in B., from where we had to walk another 30 minutes. From a distance we saw that a strong shooting was going on. The Major at the regiments dugout told us the artillery now has no time for flyer shooting (shooting after coordinates transmitted by an observer aircraft) because at the moment the Frenchmen wanted to take revenge for an attack of the day before, making the artillery now very busy. From there (at the dugout) we went to the observation post and we was lucky. The Battery Chief was just shooting at the enemy battery where our flyer had been supposed to home in our fire. Suddenly, the Unteroffizier (corporal) at the scissors telescope called out that reinforcements was appearing from the ground. The Artillierie Leutnant (Lieutenant of the Artillery) immediately ran over to the Field Artillery to show them the beautiful target. Soon after that, a few salvos of shrapnel hit it. Bang! Away they were! Suddenly a red flare appeared at the first French trench: that was meaning to lay the fire back further (obviously the French artillery was firing as well but this isn't otherwise mentioned). At a width of 1.5km, about one complete brigade stood up from the trenches, one beside the other, very tight, like nobody suspected it before. One could only admire the chaps for their bravery. Ahead of them was the Charges, then followed the chaps in a tight line, part of them being colored as one could see on their Turkish trousers. The whole advanced at a walking pace. One let them advance about four hundred meters (of seven hundred) without firing, then the first shrapnel came from us. Because the artillery was homed in exactly, the first groups hit on target. Soon after that there were the first heavy shells. The now starting fire was deadly! It partially was so loud that one could not communicate even at a distance of only two steps. Again and again the heavy shells hit the thick French masses, burning holes into their rows, but nevertheless their attack continued courageously. The gaps closed immediately. Now our infantry also joined the battle. Our people stood out of our trenches, partially to the waist, shooting like the wild. After about 2-3 min. the attack stopped already at several places, i.e..e. single groups or platoons advanced while others remained behind. After about 15 min., the Frenchmen arrived at the trench on our left wing - which I could see - shot and stabbed from above before they finally jumped in. Now I saw the melee very clear, teetering heads, swung butts (it appeared like there was almost only threshing) , flashing bayonets, general movement. On the right wing, the attack seemed to advance slower, almost sluggish. In the middle one could see single groups jumping out, but the artillery sparked in really strong. Here one could see already figures running around in confusion, but they couldn't save themselves from our artillery. The whole battlefield was already covered with dark spots. After a fight of about one quarter of an hour, the first Frenchmen withdrawed. First one, then two, then three climbed out of the trench, distressedly looking into every direction, then racing back. Also our people climbed out of the trench now, to shoot well after them. Again and again the French Officers tried to get their people closely together; tried to keep them together and bring them back into the fight. It was all in vain. More and more crumbled, taking flight. In that way some more was falling, I think that it was even more than in the preceding attack.

In the middle, the French had worked their way forward with the exception of 50m but couldn't advance any further. Some lost all of their courage here as the withdrawal started at the left wing, running back like startled chicken. But nearly all got catched. I saw six chaps running away. Bauz! - a heavy shell close to them. Everything has vanished, the smoke disappears, one can see only four - bauz! - a second shell between them. Only one remained but were probably shot down by the infantry.

The final evidence of the attack being knocked off had been furnished by the following: Suddenly four chaps stood up on the other side, running to our trench and waving their arms. Two of them was carrying a badly wounded. Suddenly they dropped their burden to run with improved speed. Probably their comrades had shot at them from behind. Those four had barely arrived at our trench as about fifty more Frenchmen stood up, waving their caps as they ran over to us. Now the other Frenchmen really took offense at it because they also had to fear the going over would become a common practice. Bang! - four heavy shells sat in well between the four deserter. The withdrawal now became popular. At 1/4 7 o'clock the main battle was over. Afterwards one could only see single Frenchmen running or crouching back.

That I had the opportunity to see this all pleased me well. From above one can't see something like that at all.

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