Description

Here is your chance to pick up an incredible and rare example of a Luftwaffe Honor Salver. This example is named to Ulrich Schmidt who was awarded this Salver on June 26th, 1943. The detail on this piece is incredible as can be seen in the photos. Marked on the reverse for Alpaka and has silver content. Measures roughly 280 – 281mm in diameter and is non-magnetic. Weighs 397 grams and has a nice silver patina. A stunning piece which virtually never reaches the open collecting market. This example comes from the David Littlejohn collection and is featured in one of his books.CLICK HERE to view more images of this item!         This piece is a consignment item and is subject to the terms listed on the website. Guaranteed original.    With the rise of the Nazi Party and the repudiation of the Versailles Treaty, the Luftwaffe’s existence was publicly acknowledged on 26 February 1935, just over two weeks before open defiance of the Versailles Treaty through German re-armament and conscription would be announced on 16 March. The Condor Legion, a Luftwaffe detachment sent to aid Nationalist forces in the Spanish Civil War, provided the force with a valuable testing ground for new tactics and aircraft. Partially as a result of this combat experience, the Luftwaffe had become one of the most sophisticated, technologically advanced, and battle-experienced air forces in the world when World War II broke out in 1939. The Luftwaffe also operated Fallschirmjäger paratrooper units.The Luftwaffe proved instrumental in the German victories across Poland and Western Europe in 1939 and 1940. During the Battle of Britain, however, despite inflicting severe damage to the RAF’s infrastructure and, during the subsequent Blitz, devastating many British cities, the German air force failed to batter the beleaguered British into submission. From 1942, Allied bombing campaigns gradually destroyed the Luftwaffe’s fighter arm. From late 1942, the Luftwaffe used its surplus ground, support and other personnel to raise Luftwaffe Field Divisions. In addition to its service in the West, the Luftwaffe operated over the Soviet Union, North Africa and Southern Europe. Despite its belated use of advanced turbojet and rocket propelled aircraft for the destruction of Allied bombers, the Luftwaffe was overwhelmed by the Allies’ superior numbers and improved tactics, and a lack of trained pilots and aviation fuel. In January 1945, during the closing stages of the Battle of the Bulge, the Luftwaffe made a last-ditch effort to win air superiority, and met with failure. With rapidly dwindling supplies of petroleum, oil, and lubricants after this campaign, and as part of the entire combined Wehrmacht military forces as a whole, the Luftwaffe ceased to be an effective fighting force.   Free shipping ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD & I don’t charge PayPal fees like some of the other guys!