German Honor Goblet of The Luftwaffe

By Crusader1307

The World War II Award known as The ''Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe'' or ''Honor Goblet of The Luftwaffe'' was based I part on a similar Honor Award developed during World War I and given to Imperial German Air Corps. Pilots. The tradition of giving a ''Cup of Honor'' is actually much older, with examples going back as far as Ancient Rome (who did the same for particularly heroic soldiers and Commanders). The Honor Goblet of The Luftwaffe was re-instituted by Marshal Hermann Goring in 1940 and was warded along the same lines meeting the criteria of the famed ''Blue Max'' Medal, given to German Fighter Aces during World War I.

The Cup was traditionally made of solid Silver and embellished (engraved) with Luftwaffe (Air Force) symbolism (images). No set casting instructions or requirements in this regard seem to have existed (being up to the person ordering The Award for the Recipient). Generally, wording was engraved which identified the Winner, with year and deed sometimes so included. As many as 15,000 Goblets of Honor were created and awarded between 1940 and 1943 (with the vast majority being issued after The Battle of Berlin, over England in 1940-1941).

The Honor Cup was also copied by The Kreigmarine (German Navy) but not as many were produced or given. The German Army did not follow, although one Commander was the specialized Mountain Corps. was given a Luftwaffe Version.