beyond rare - Ehrenplakette der Luftflotte 1

[Stijn David]

Hello Forumfriends,


I would like to share my newest aquisition to end this year with. This is the very rare and exclusive "Ehrenplakette der Luftflotte 1".

This is the awarded piece from Fw. W.Köhler who was awarded this piece on 28.10.1942 fom Generaloberst Freidrich Keller himself.

Fw. W.Köhler was a glider pilot who did earn this very rare (non portable) Lw. award for this efforts and participation in the Cholm battle.

FYI, this is the only known original Ehrenplakette der Luftflotte 1 with a provenance. As far as is known there where only 2 glider pilots who did get this very rare award. It is unkown iff others (for example transport pilots) also where awarded with this piece. It is porbable but proof does fail at this point.

Therefore it is known that at least 2 of these where awarded, from wich one towards W.Köhler (the shown piece here).

Enjoy


Cordial greetings,

[Stijn David]

Ehrenplakette der Luftflotte 1

Hello,


And a bit background about wich awards where also rendered upon Fw. W.Köhler:

* Lw. Glider pilots badge (1941)
* Iron Cross 2 nd. class (1942)
* Eastern Front Medal (1942)
* Ehrenplakette der Luftflotte 1 (1942) => shown here
* CHolmschield (1942)
* Lw. Ground assault badge
* Iron Cross 1 e class

W.Köhler survived the war and became a POW in RUmania at the end of 1944, he spent untill 1949 in RUssian captivity. It was his mother who saved the shown "Ehrenplakette"

To give some impression of the rarity, it is noted as in existence a first time in 1991 (German article) + also the Niemann Catalogue does mention it. But hence no picture => and here it is.

Only 2 proven recipients at this point, probably a few more but very low award number.

Cordial greetings + enjoy.

[pantherv]

.......

What a stunning Plaque....and what a piece of history.......

KR..........Peter.

[Jeff V]

Hi David, Thanks for sharing this treasure! best wishes,
jeff

[Stijn David]

Ehrenplakette der Luftflotte 1

Hello,


Thank you for the reactions so far. The reverse of this plaque is simple and plain. It was actually more a table medal bt was awarded in a etui (that one is missing sadly).

The symbolic way behinf this plaque is also very nice (IMHO). There is no swastika on this award whatsoever + the soldiers who did get this one where presented it personally by F.Keller himself. (that info does come from my contacts, letters, visits, etc ... towards W.Köhler in the past years.)

Now a bit more research on the Luftflotte 1 from my side will be needed. I have quite some info on the Cholm and Demjansk part, the otehr towns are a bit more unclear at this point towards me and wich role the Luftflotte 1 played in the battles arround these towns during the winter 1941/42.

COrdial greetings,

[clevischi]

Very nice piece, thanks for sharing it.

[andrewb]

WOW!!!
Truly an amazing piece. To have 1 of only 2 pieces known must make you feel very very happy. Congratulations.

Regards,
AB.

[Stijn David]

Ehrenplakette

Hello Andy,


Thank you for the coment, yes i feel very privileged for sure. Altough this piece is much less sexy then for example a KC to many (i have anotehr opinion offcoarse), it is much rarer and above all much more unkown.

I just love such obscure awards and certainly when they are related towards Cholm and German glider pilots


Cordial greetings,