Dicta Boelcke: Translation

I have a question regarding the Dicta Boelcke posted on the aerodrome site.

Every other translation I have seen on the web (at least a dozen) outlines EIGHT rules as follows:

DICTA BOELCKE

Try to secure advantages before attacking. If possible keep the sun behind you.

Always carry through an attack when you have started it.

Fire only at close range and only when your opponent is properly in your sights.

Always keep your eye on your opponent, and never let yourself be deceived by ruses.

In any form of attack it is essential to assail your opponent from behind.

If your opponent dives on you, do not try to evade his onslaught, but fly to meet it.

When over the enemy's lines, never forget your own line of retreat.

Attack on principle groups of four or six. When the fight breaks up into a series of single combats, take care that several do not go for one opponent.

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The Oswald Boelcke page here at The Aerodrome lists only SEVEN rules, and these do not appear to quite match the ones above.

Which list is correct, or more in keeping with spirit of the original? Comments/discussion would be appreciated!

[leo]

Translations can be tricky. Ask Reinout Hubbers.

My favorite Boelcke quote:

"I fly close to my man, aim well...and of course he goes down"

The translation of Dicta Boelcke is taken from "Knight of Germany," by Professor_Johannes_Werner, first published in English in 1933 and the classic biography of Boelcke. The first seven rules are "generic" ones; the eighth is specifically for the Jasta (i.e. a rule for engagement by multiple aircraft), which no doubt accounts for it not always being included.

In WW2, the rules were adapted and modified, and published in booklet form. You can see that although they owe their heritage to Oswald, they are not the same as the original:

DICTA BOELCKE
1. Always try to secure an advantageous position before attacking. Climb before and during the approach in order to surprise the enemy from above, and dive on him swiftly from the rear when the moment to attack is at hand.
2. Try to place yourself between the sun and the enemy. This puts the glare of the sun in the enemy's eyes and makes it difficult to see you and impossible for him to shoot with any accuracy.
3. Do not fire the machine guns until the enemy is within range and you have him squarely within your sights.
4. Attack when the enemy least expects it or when he is preoccupied with other duties such as observation, photography or bombing.
5. Never turn your back and try to run away from an enemy fighter. If you are surprised by an attack on your tail, turn and face the enemy with your guns.
6. Keep an eye on the enemy and do not let him deceive you with tricks. If your opponent appears damaged follow him down until he crashes to be sure he is not faking.
7. Foolish acts of bravery only bring death. The Jasta must fight as a unit with close teamwork between all pilots. The signals of its leaders must be obeyed.

[Rod_Filan]

Here's my Readers Digest version.

Boelcke's Dicta

Oh... and don't let the music shock you.

VBR
Ro§bud

Thanks to everyone for their comments and clarification. Clearly the two lists are related, but I wasn't sure which was the chicken and which was the egg!

"I will be like Boelcke" must have been that generation's "Be like Mike."

Regards

[Rod_Filan]

One thing's for sure - the 80's catch-all phrase "Bo knows" was just an abbreviated ripoff of the dicta.

VBR
Ro§bud