Saturday, 20 July 2013

Siegfried Schnell's commemorative trophies

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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