LUFTWAFFE HONOR GOBLET AND AWARD DOCUMENT GIVEN TO A FLIER KILLED BY RUSSIAN FLAK

LUFTWAFFE HONOR GOBLET AND AWARD DOCUMENT GIVEN TO A FLIER KILLED BY RUSSIAN FLAK
Rare grouping of material related to the service and death in combat of Luftwaffe fighter pilot Obergefreiter Joachim Meyer. Included in the group is the Luftwaffe Honor Goblet, or "Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe", made of Alpaca "Feinsilber" by Johann Wagner & Sohn, as marked on the underside of the goblet, in three piece construction. The bowl has an outward-crimped rim with hammered walls with two designs: two eagles in combat and a 1939 Iron Cross on opposite sides. The stem has a ribbon of oak leaves and is engraved "OBERGEFREITER JOACHIM MEYER AM 12.10.42" with the base marked: "FUR BESONDERE LEISTUNG IM LUFTKRIEG"" The goblet stands 8.125 in. tall and is 4 in. across at the top. In very fine condition with dark patina, untouched for decades. In a modern fitted case. Also present is the original Ehrenpokal award document, 1p. 8.25 x 11.75 in., [Berlin], Oct. 12, 1942, issued to "Obergefreiten Joachim Meyer in recognition of his outstanding bravery and special success as a fighter pilot..." Lithographed signature of Hermann Goring, with a hand-applied signature of Luftwaffe General der Flieger GUSTAV KASTNER-KIRDORF (1881-1945). One fold. Five other documents complete this important grouping. Among them is a period letter (official copy) from Meyer's immediate superior, "Staffelkapitan Petzold", to Meyer's father advising him of the death of his son, 1p. 4to., Sep. 25, 1942. In part: "...Your son flew a day attack on [9.2.42] on a section of Voronezh...in my group...During the approach, the group was heavily bombarded by Russian flak. Immediately while the machine in which your son was flying was dropping bombs, they must have received a direct hit in the bomb bay or one of the bombs itself must have detonated by hits directly under the machine. The machine blew apart in the air. Two parachutes were observed, driven into Russian territory. It could not be observed whether your son, another or no living person was hanging on a parachute..." On May 11, 1943, Meyer's father is advised that his son will receive the Honor Goblet and a Front Flying Clasp in Gold. Letters to Meyer's mother Hedi include one on Dec. 5, 1942 further mentioning the award of the goblet, and Dec. 20, 1943 promising to attend to a proposed award of the Knights Cross, delayed due to "all correspondence destroyed by bombing". Finally, on April 14, 1944 Meyer's father is told that his son's Honor Goblet is finally en route. A very rare complete grouping, especially so when the recipient is killed in action.