Steve Russell

This 'story' by Hermann Historica does not check with Ernst Udet's own story of his search for a Pour le Merite in 'Mein Fliegerleben.' First, he was not laid up in a Munich military hospital on April 9th, 1918 recovering from wounds. He was grounded from an ear infection and sent home by Richthofen on April 6th--the day of his 23rd victory. When he arrived in Munich, he was tended to by his family doctor and spent time at home. On April 9th, a telegram informing him of the award of the PlM came to the house. Udet had been in town. His mother told him the news when he came home and bestowed a paper and yarn medal she had made around his neck--his first PlM! The next day, he tried to find a PlM to wear and went to a jeweler on Theatinerstrasse (not Maximilian Str.). He even bumped into Wenninger and asked if he had a spare but instead he gave him the name of a Berlin firm that he could telegram and get it in a couple of days. This is likely the one seen worn in the left photo. He also was awarded his official one likely seen worn in the photo on the right. [attachmentid=56857] Udet was in Jast 11 when awarded the PlM, not Jasta 4. He took command of Jasta 4 upon his return in May. I also find it curious that they had time for dinner and a commemoration on the 31st of May. On that day, Udet gets a Breguet and is shot down in the process, his life saved by a parachute. He gets back to his unit by evening and flies a late sortie in a new aircraft. While the PlM looks great and the documents look curious, where did the inaccurate story come from? Steve

Guys, I posted this over at WAF but not much interest has generated. As I am still in a probationary status, I could not post the pics here adequately but this one is not on the other link. Here is the link with more photos: http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/sho...ad.php?t=181922 I am curious to find the maker of this mini. I recently acquired this 9mm one-sided PlM miniature. It looks to be made of gold and has enamel and clear workmanship. Any idea who made these tiny ones? Dan Murphy - Does this one match yours? I thought I saw in a post one time that you had a similar 9mm. Les - Have you seen many of these 9mm types? Comments and opinions welcome. Steve [attachmentid=56856]

Joe, All the medals are true beauties but the combo is inexplicable. Do you think someone just added the Honor Cross without swords? Steve

Thanks for the advice and the comparison photos. They really help. Steve

Yes Dan, I can see it now. Amazing I did not see the air bubbles earlier. That is one of the best I have seen come across lately because the pin looks much more convincing thatn the others usually found. I feel sorry for whomever spent the $430.00 US. Given the other very nice items the vendor was selling, they may not have known either. Hard to say. Usually will see other fake stuff they try to peddle or more than one of these appear over time. Thanks for the opinion. Steve

A Bavarian Pilot badge sold yesterday on eBay that looked quite convincing. I would be interested in opinions on the piece becasue if it is fake, it would be educational to point out the subtleties or if real, it may offer some hope that good finds still do occur on eBay. I have no vested interest in this badge other than stated here. Opinions? Steve http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

I posted this thread over on the Wehrmacht Awards Forum. Thought it might be of interest for discussion here as well. Steve http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/sho...ad.php?t=163386

Also, isn't it unusual that the ribbons overlap from right to left instead of left to right? Steve