Prussian Pour le mérite

[Stephanie]

I always found this decoration to have one of the most interesting histories. Following the Great War this was almost synonymous with the top German flying aces.

Its eighteenth-century past is a bit more difficult to trace, with those receiving it for honours in science and philosophy not necessarily living up to such standards in various ways, and the political machinations surrounding it clouding the award of the order, not to mention its having changed in guise and name with the ascent of Frederick the Great to the Electorate of Prussia.

Notable is the time Voltaire spent in residence with Frederick in Berlin and at Sanssouci in Potsdam, where the two weathered an uneasy friendship that ended in misfortune and disaster for men of thought. Whether or not these great men had been sexually involved or not remains conjecture, but upon leaving Prussia, and Frederick, Voltaire's return of the pour le mérite that Frederick had awarded him when he came to stay in Prussia was taken as more than a deep insult by the elector.

It is worth remembering that this coveted decoration that adorns the chests of many a German aviator in images from the Great War was once nothing more than a love token from an aspiring king. Even though the award was meant to symbolise achievements for the Prussian state, it was rarely given to truly inspiring people, but more awarded on a whim.

If anyone has any other interesting anecdotes regarding this decoration, please add them here.

[crankcase]

If memory serves me correctly:
When Udet got his PLM, he walked with his girl friend back and forth in front of the palace gates (Stadtschloss, Berlin???) because the guards had to snap to attention each time a PLM holder passed. He did this out of amusement rather than arrogance, of course!
marc

[Stephanie]

Originally Posted by crankcase

If memory serves me correctly:
When Udet got his PLM, he walked with his girl friend back and forth in front of the palace gates (Stadtschloss, Berlin???) because the guards had to snap to attention each time a PLM holder passed. He did this out of amusement rather than arrogance, of course!
marc

thanks! I had not heard that one before - sadly, though, the Stadtschloss is no longer there; the Soviets did not wish to spend the money to repair it after the war so it was razed to make way for a people's cultural centre of sorts.