Carl Degelow's PlM

Hi,

I read several years ago that Carl Degelow, was not only the last pilot to receive the Blue Max, but also the last one of military personnel. However it seems that he only got his award on the 27th january 1919 and that a soldiers counsel was needed to sign the official award document.
Does anyone know if this is correct ?

Regards,

Johan

[Reinout]

Johan,

In Neal O'Connor's Volume II he writes that Degelow's award was approved on 9 Nov and was the last of the military bestowals since the Kaiser abdicated the same day: the award can only be made official by the signature of the reigning king. What surprises me is that the military branch was never resurrected like the civil one was (although in different form).

This is the first time I've heard of a soldier's council having to approve Degelow's PlM.

Kind regards,

Reinout

Dear Reinout,

It seems that the document was signed by the pilots R. Schauer and Hauser, with the staff of Kogenluft.

I find it very bizar and puzzling !

Thanks for reacting so fast.

Regards,

Johan

Hello Johan and Reinout,

I have a picture of a group of German pilots--all wearing the PLM, one of which is Degelow. They are wearing winter coats over full uniforms. In the front of the group is Udet, Jacobs, and Bäumer. Grouped around them are Degelow, Veltjens, von Bonigk, Goering, and several others (I am writing this from memory)-but all of them survived the war.

I determined that the picture was probably made during the final D-Trials, as I can think of no other reason they would be together for a group picture.

As for Degelow, I suppose it is possible that he was wearing a "borrowed" PLM, but even so it is obvious that the award was official when the photo was taken.

Best Wishes,
Gary

To Gary,
Thank you for reacting this fast.

To Gary and Reinout,
I found it, and still find it also an unbelievable story, that's why I came up with it on the Forum.
Is there a possiblity the award still had to be confirmed by the new 'republic' afterwards ?
And why wasn't this also the case with the PlM of f.e. Ulrich Neckel ?
Do you agree on the fact that it is probably something we shouldn't believe at all ?

Regards,

Johan

Based on what has been reported about the Iron Knight's demise, the German communists certainly wouldn't have approved of Degelow's Blue Max, had they risen to prominence after the war ended. Johan, I also find it hard to believe that Weimar Republic had anything to do with approving Degelow's award.

Hello All,

I understand there is an autobiography of Carl Degelow titled "The Last Knight". I have not seen it, but perhaps it may shed some light on this matter.

From stories I've read, there were several men who had been nominated and/or approved for the PLM before the war ended, but once the Kaiser abdicated, they were just "out-of-luck" (S-O-L). As with anything else, I suppose exceptions are possible.

Best Wishes,
Gary

I saw that Bruce Robertson in his book Air Aces of the 1914-1918 war mentions that a number of pilots did not get their PlM because of the revolution. He mentions the following names :
-Oblt H. Auffahrt, Lt. H. Becker, Vizefeldw. O. Fruhner, Lt. J. Mai, Lt. M. Nather, Lt.F. Noltenius, Lt. K. Odebrett, Oblt. O. Schmidt.
Next to the name of Gustav Dorr stands the date of award 17/01/1919 !!! However Dorr for a unknown reason, if he was indeed awarded the Blue Max, never received the decoration. On the other hand the grave stone of Gustav Dorr mentions he won the PlM !!!
It looks as some very bizar things happened at the end of the German empire, and question is, did some people make things up, or is this all for real ???

Regards,

Johan

Johan,
I tried to use your e-mail address, but it won't work. What is wrong?

Bill,

What is wrong is my provider. I have had nothing but trouble with my e-mail since the start. As soon as I have time I will look for another provider. As soon as I have another e-mail adress I will post it on the forum.

Regards,

Johan