On July 8th 1940, Oblt. Siegfried "Wumm"
Schnell not only reached the mark of 40 aerial victories (and
subsequently being awarded the Eichenlaub) but also attained the 644th
victory for the 'Richthofen' Geschwader, the unit thus equalling the total
number of victories of its World War I namesake.
To commemorate this
feat, Schnell was presented with three silver gift beakers pictured here
(from left to right): the first with obverse engraving of a Luftwaffe
eagle above squadron insignia and circumscription "Jagdgeschwader
Richthofen - Leutnant Schnell zum 644. Abschuss des Geschwader
Richthofen Nr. 2 - 8.7.1941"; the second with obverse engraving of a
Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves within a shield surrounded by floral
décor, the reverse with "Zum 40. Luftsieg - die 4.Staffel" below a
squadron coat of arms; the third with obverse engraved "40. Abschuss -
Leutnant Schnell - III./Jagdgeschwader Richthofen Nr. 2 - 8-7-1941".
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