Dicta Boelcke for WOFF

[RAF_Louvert 101]

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Dicta Boelcke for WOFF

Italicized text is Boelcke’s original analyses, regular text is the WOFF exegeses.


Eins
Make sure you attain a position of advantage when in air combat (speed, altitude, numerical superiority, position), before you attack. Fly from out of the sun. 

Make sure you attain a position of advantage when in air combat (speed, altitude, numerical superiority, position), before you attack. You can use the clouds as cover: if you can’t see the AI they can’t “see” you, with the caveat being that the AI’s virtual eyesight is better than your real world eyesight.


Zwei
When you start an attack, prosecute it to the end.

When you start an attack, prosecute it to the end, unless you begin to lose the position of advantage as outlined in the first dictum. If you see the tables are turning it is best to retreat earlier rather than later, using your remaining advantages to break away from the fight.


Drei 
Fire the machine gun at close range and only when you have your opponent well in your sights.

Fire the machine gun/guns at close range, within 50 yards or less, and only when you have your opponent well in your sights. Avoid deflection shots unless you have practiced them as they are a waste of ammo.


Vier
Go after the opponent from where he cannot see you.

Go after your opponent from where he cannot train his guns on you. If you are fighting a single-seat scout, attack from any angle that allows you to fire on him without him being able to fire on you. If you are fighting a two-seater, either get directly below him and fire into the underside of the plane, (1st choice), or dive in from either side keeping the opponent’s wings between you and the gunner, (2nd choice). It is key to keep some part of the two-seater between you and the gunner as he cannot fire through his own plane.


Fünf
In any form of attack, it is required to approach the enemy from behind.

In single-seater attacks, it is best to approach the enemy from behind. In two-seater attacks, it is best to approach the enemy from directly underneath.


Sechs
If you are attacked by an opponent diving on you from above, do not try to dodge the attack, but turn into and toward the attacker.

If you are attacked by an opponent diving on you from above, do not try to dodge the attack, but turn into and toward the attacker. Using some rudder to sideslip your plane can throw off your opponent’s aim while still allowing you an accurate shot.


Sieben 
If you find yourself over enemy lines, always keep an eye toward your own direction of retreat.

If you find yourself over enemy lines, always keep an eye toward your own direction of retreat. When you have lost the advantage, (as outlined in the first dictum), make your retreat early and fly to the cover of your own lines, balloon positions, airfields, etc.


Acht 
For squadrons: The principle method of attack is to fly in groups of four to six aircraft. When the fight scatters into single battles, make sure that not too many comrades fall upon any single opponent.

For squadrons: The principle method of attack is to fly in groups of two to six aircraft. When the fight scatters into single battles, make sure that not too many comrades fall upon any single opponent. If you are the flight leader use your key commands to assign targets to your flight members but do not be surprised if they ignore you and attack whomever they so choose. You will have to watch for overzealous pilots in your flight who will dive in front of you as you engage an opponent, and be ever alert for possible collisions. In WOFF it is usually safer in a furball to single out an opponent along the edges and drag them away as you fight them, this will minimize and/or eliminate the above noted risks.


Fly Smart!


Lou

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Edited April 18, 2014 by RAF_Louvert

[Olham 164]

Good points, Lou!

I'd like to add, that I made the observation, that the AI pilots, when they have the advantage and they are

chasing me all the way down to the deck, are not too often as target-fixated and eager as some of us

may often be - they let me run away several times, instead of giving up all their altitude.