Original Item: Only One Available. During WWII in Germany, maintaining morale was always of vital importance, so there were numerous awards and such given out, both officially and more unofficial. This is a lovely "Outstanding Performance" presentation plaque from the German WWII Luftwaffe Airforce. The plaque measures 5 1/8" x 6 3/4" and is most likely made from aluminum, an "air age" material preferred for many Luftwaffe items. The top of the award has a lovely cast Luftwaffe "Eagle in Flight" landing on a swas, and below this it has the following inscription:

Oberstleutnant Erdmann
FÜR HERVORRAGENDE
LEISTUNG
IM KRIEGSJAHR 1942
DER KOMMANDIERENDE GENERAL
UND BEFEHLSHABER
IM LUFTGAU XI

This translates to:

Lieutenant Colonel Erdmann
FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN THE WAR YEAR OF 1942
THE COMMANDING GENERAL AND COMMANDER IN LUFTGAU XI

The Commanding General of Luftgau XI was General der Flieger Ludwig Wolff from February 1938 to July 1944. Definitely some great potential for further research here, especially with a name and Rank as well as Unit information.

A great piece of German WWII Luftwaffe militaria, ready to research and display!

The Luftwaffe, the air force of the German military during the Third Reich, was established in 1935. Over the next 10 years, Luftwaffe troops wore a huge variety of uniforms. Enlisted men generally wore uniforms issued from military depots. Most enlisted soldiers had wool trousers and a short jacket with two internal lower pockets, called a Fliegerbluse, as well as a dressier 4-pocket tunic, the Tuchrock. Officers wore the same general uniform styles, but as officers had to supply their own uniforms, they usually wore tailor made versions. There were also myriad varieties of specialized uniforms worn by certain units or in specific situations, from the tuxedo-style “gala” formal wear uniform of the pre-war period, to the plain coveralls worn by crews of anti-aircraft cannons. There were work uniforms, tropical and summer uniforms, and camouflage clothing for airborne troops and other Luftwaffe soldiers in ground combat. Flight crews had their own specialized gear, including leather jackets and warm, electrically heated suits. Most but not all Luftwaffe uniform jackets bore the Luftwaffe emblem of a flying eagle holding a swas.