WW2 GERMAN LUFTWAFFE HONOUR GOBLET TO UNTEROFFIZIER ARMIN WUIGK

Description

WW2 German Luftwaffe Honour Goblet. 207mm in height and the lip is a diameter of 100mm. This Honour Goblet depicts on one side an eagle attacking another bird which is upside down in the air. The opposite side of the goblet depicts the raised Iron Cross having fine serrations, raised swastika in the centre and the date, “1939” on the bottom leg. At the lower neck portion of the goblet above the flared stand are double rows of oak leaves with acorns. Around the lower rim, beneath the oak leaves, is the name and date of the recipient, “UNTEROFFIZIER ARMIN WUIGK AM 1.4.42”. Raised out around the lower rim is the purpose of the award, “FÜR BESONDERE LEISTUNG IM LUFTKRIEG” (Outstanding Performance in the Air War”). The lower inside portion of this goblet is stamped, “Feinsilber / Alpaca / Auflage” and beneath is the maker name, “Joh. Wagner & Sohn”.

Unteroffizier Wuigk was a qualified air gunner, who served on the eastern front during WW2, where he most likely was awarded this goblet. The inset photo (not included) shows Wuigk, the caption reading:

Image from the photo album of Oberleutnant Oscar Müller of Kampfgeschwader 1: On 27th June 1941 Junkers Ju 88A-5 V4+ON (Werk. Nr. 4296) of 5./KG 1, was reported lost during a mission to Riga. Unteroffizier Friedrich Leibold (Air Gunner) was killed in action but the rest of the crew, Pilot Oberfeldwebel August Wiese (in centre with bandaged head), Observer Feldwebel Martin Hasten (on left) and Radio Operator Unteroffizier Armin Wuigk (with spectacles), returned in eight days. Here the crew have just changed into fresh uniforms and and are talking to Luftwaffe officers.

These goblets were awarded to airmen and officers of the German Air Force during WW2 for gallantry in combat and was an award made for heroism which fell short of being awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, which was Germany’s highest combat award. Scarce.