Pour Le Merite

12 November 2000, 05:09 AM

Why was the PLM no longer awarded after WWI ? Was it because the Kaiser was gone or did Hitler cancel the award because he didn’t get one? Or were there other reasons? Thanx.

Graeme · 12 November 2000, 08:22 AM

The Pour le Merite was an Imperial Award and when the Kaiser abdicated in 1918, there was nobody in whose name the award could be made. The award was re-established as a civil order in March 1924.

Barrett · 12 November 2000, 12:55 PM

Graeme is correct. I'm uncertain whether the PlM was still awarded during the Nazi era, but it definitely was resurrected as a scientific and literary honor by the West German gov't. Rittmeister's Blauer Max site is THE source on line.
Hitler did not revive the Blue Max as a military decoration largely because it was an imperial award. Furthermore, he (rightly) resented the fact that it was presented only to living officers. So it's not that he resented not getting a PlM; he wasn't eligible for it. I believe that his Iron Cross I Class only was presented in 1918.
Apparently Hitler devised the Knight's Cross hierarchy himself, specifically stating that it would be awarded to enlisted, NCOs, and officers without distinction; about 1/7 of the RK recipients were enlisted & noncoms at the time of award. The criteria were somewhat indefinite, especially for generals and ground combat, but there was a rough requirement (escalating as the war progressed) for aviators and sub skippers. Far as I know, it was never awarded for lifesaving--only for perceived damage to the enemy--unlike the VC and MOH.
BTW: an Arizona militaria shop recently had some Udet items for sale at spendy prices. They included a hat, engarved cigarette case, and "walkaround" PlM. They were on consignment, didn't sell, and were returned to owner. Had I known I might have swallowed heavily and written a check (after writing a book!) for the PlM; nice companion to Joe Foss' M1911 pistola...

13 November 2000, 04:47 AM

the PLM for "arts" was re-established West-Germany after WWII.

Initially it was established around 1845 by Friedrich-Wilhelm IV König von Preussen
(Frederic- William IV, King of Perrussia)