Description:

LUFTWAFFE HONOR GOBLET, AWARDS AND DOCUMENTS GROUPING FROM A K.I.A. BOMBER PILOT
Luftwaffe Honor Goblet ("Ehrenpokal") awarded to KIA Luftwaffe bomber pilot, Oberfeldwebel Wilhelm Falk, along with extensive accompanying military awards, personal letters and award documents. Falk's Ehrenpokal goblet stands 8 1/8" tall and is 3 7/8" across at the base. The goblet features two highly detailed eagles locked in aerial combat on the obverse and the 1939 Iron Cross on the reverse. Beneath the silver cup is a ring of decorative oak leaves and acorns, with the recipient's name, rank and date of the award. This example was presented to "OBERFELDWEBEL WILHELM FALK AM 8.5.42." Along the base of the multi-piece constructed goblet are the words: " FUR BESONDERE LEISTUNG IM LUFTKRIEG" ("For Special Achievement in the Air War"). The underside of the goblet is stamped "835 JOH. WAGNER & SOHN". The goblet bears a fine patina commensurate with its age, and is essentially free of defect and in superb condition. An important grouping of letters, documents, badges and insignia accompany this honor document. They include: Falk's Luftwaffe Wehrpass listing the Honor Goblet among his awards on page 23 and details of his death and burial on page 27; certificate qualifying Falk for instrument flying on five types of bombers; Falk's aerial gunnery marksmanship score; Notice of promotion, effective April 1, 1940, from sergeant to master sergeant (dated Sep. 1, 1941); Award notification: "In the name of the supreme commander of the Luftwaffe, I award Sergeant Falk the front flight clasp for bomber pilots in silver. From the command post, July 03, 1941", signed by a captain; honor goblet certificate, "...in recognition of your outstanding bravery and exceptional success as a bomber pilot..."; death certificate dated July 22, 1942, accomplished by a physician indicating cause as an air crash that caused fractured skull, arm, leg and spinal column broken on July 16, 1942 at Berlin Schönefeld aerodrome; July 24, 1942 sent from Reserve Hospital 101 Berlin to his squadron advising them of the death (this letter was later forwarded to Falk's mother); newspaper obituary notice placed by the family and mentioning his awards; letter from Reserve Hospital 101 medical examiner to Falk's mother advising her of the death, and transport of the body and burial at state expense; letter from Lt. Greve in Munich, July 27, 1942:"As we learned from a teletype, your son, Master Sergeant Wilhelm Falk, fatally crashed on July 16, in Berlin in the line of duty. Master Sergeant Falk belonged to Bomber Squadron 3/606 from September 11, 1940 to July 6, 1942. During his service with the squadron, he flew 53 missions against England. He was one of our eldest and most successful pilots. In action against England's nautical supply traffic, he especially distinguished himself. In daring, low-level attacks, he sank three merchant ships tallying 14,000 tons. These were ships steaming in heavily-defended convoys. He was always a role model for all his comrades in the squadron..."; letter to Falk's sister from a member of his squadron offering condolences; notice from Armed Forces Welfare and Assistance Office, Oct. 3, 1942, that mother Marie Falk is to receive 1,000 Reichsmarks from the Nuremburg treasury as a death benefit, a gift from the city; death notice identifying the decedent, squadron number, where he was stationed, place of birth, etc.; Armed Forces Welfare and Assistance Office letter, Oct. 20, 1942 granting a death benefit; letter to Falk's mother from lieutenant in the squadron, Nov. 26, 1942: "...I am sending you the honor goblet awarded to your son for special achievement in aerial combat, together with the award document. The goblet first went to the administration office, so that it was not possible to send it sooner. The goblet may remain in your possession..."; certificate bearing eagle insign

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July 8, 2015 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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