PLM Awards

[ChrisJ]

A few years ago I read (I dont recall where) that it wasnt unusual for recipients of the Pour le Merite to actually purchase their own medal, as often only the notification of the award (followed by the award document) was made.
Has anyone any opinions/comments on this.... would appreciate any info.

[Daniel Cole]

I think I too read this in a bout about the PLM. Believe it was concerning Ernst Udet.

[Daniel Krause]

Hi,

that was just possible a short time in the Napoleonic wars.
Then the manufacturers could not produce as much as needed; so the King just issued the certificate and even authorized to wear only a piece of ribbon in the buttonhole.

Otherwise even late in WW1 the recipients received the document and the Order.

BUT because the plm was nearly daily worn, plenty of recipients bought their own pieces for daily wearing.

Best regards

Daniel

[Brian S]

As late as 04.08.1918 Wagner produced pieces found their way to the Western Front.

[ChrisJ]

PLMs

Thanks for the replies, gentlemen....yes, I seem to remember that it was a biography of a fighter PLM recipient that I read.

[Daniel Cole]

I found in David Edkins's book "The Prussian Orden Pour le Merite", page 104 that Ernst Udet approached Kapitanleutnant Wenniger inquiring if he has a second award Udet could borrow, or if he knew where Udet could purchase a decoration in Munich. Wenniger gave him the address of a jeweler in Berlin.

[Brian S]

Ja, Under den Linden, Berlin, glaub' ich.

[ChrisJ]

Ha !

I found in David Edkins's book "The Prussian Orden Pour le Merite", page 104 that Ernst Udet approached Kapitanleutnant Wenniger inquiring if he has a second award Udet could borrow, or if he knew where Udet could purchase a decoration in Munich. Wenniger gave him the address of a jeweler in Berlin.

Ah yes... I have it now. Apparently, Udet was on sick leave when he was notified of the award, and was frustrated that he would "have to wait at least two weeks before the medal reached me from my unit"... he went to a jewelers who specialised in orders, but was told that they had none "insufficient demand." In the end Wenninger gave him the contact an outlet where he could get one, this he did and it duely arrived two days later from Berlin... "it lies like a star in a red velvet case."
(Sounds like a Godet!)