Luftwaffe bust with inscribed plaque

[Dan T.]

Hello,

Several years ago I picked up a small bust in Germany.

The bust is approximately 8 " high consisting of a Luftwaffe soldier wearing an M1916/18 style helmet. The bust is mounted on a marble stand with a small metal plaque bearing the following inscription:



Zur Erinnerung

UFFZ. VERGG.

L.N. Stelle Giebelstadt

1940


I believe there might have been a wartime airfield/installation at Giebelstadt, and am wondering if part of the inscription may be in memory of fallen NCOs (?).

Any translation help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

- Dan

[Dan T.]

I'd be more than happy to pass on a few photos if anyone would be willing to post them.

[Erich B.]

The L.N. likely stands for Luftwaffe Nachrichten--Signals unit.
Erich

[Dan T.]

Thanks Erich. It's quite an attractive piece. Bill Shea had a similar bust on his site sometime ago, but I don't think it had a plaque.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Dan, there was a Luftwaffe base there, see this history of the area:

http://www.dashingdackels.com/AshorthistoryofGieb.htm

Cheers, Ade.

[Dan T.]

Wow! That's some history. Thanks Adrian.

I wonder if the plaque might be in reference to the Battle of France when KG53 staged out of there (?).

Very interesting stuff about the development of the Me 163 as well as the He 177 and Me 262.

[skip]

"Zur Erinnerung" does not translate literally to "In memory".

Better would e "A memory of" or "A souvenier"

Skip

[Dan T.]

Thanks Skip. I've seen the term before but didn't know the exact translation.

[Dan T.]

Skip,

Any insight on the "UFFZ. VERGG." notation?

[skip]

I would think thats his rank and name Dan.

UFFZ. is Unteroffizier. Non commisioned officer.

Skip

[Dan T.]

I was pretty sure that "UFFZ." had something to with noncommisioned officer(s), but didn't know if "VERGG." might be a name, or an abreviation for something else.

Thanks again Skip!

[Dan T.]

FINALLY a photo.

[Dan T.]

...or two...

[PaulR]

That is a great piece!

[Dan T.]

Thanks Paul. This was my big souvenir from the 60th anniversary trip to Normandy.