A Field-Made Congratulatory Cup to Leutnant Karl Kugelbauer; Jagdgeschwader 27
Aluminum (possibly from a section of aircraft), engraved "2-5-42 (May 2, 1942)/ Ltn. Karl Kugelbauer / Wir Gratulieren / Zum 4.Luftsieg / I./JG.27", repeating ornate pattern around the circumference near the mouth, measuring 63 mm wide at the mouth, 45 mm wide at the base and 74 mm in height, oxidation evident on one side on the exterior and throughout the inside of the cup, very fine. Footnote: Jagdgeschwader 27 (JG 27) Afrika was a Second World War Air Force Squadron (Luftwaffe Geschwader). It was most famous for service in the North African Campaign, supporting the Deutsches Afrikakorps. As wingman to the fighter ace Hans-Joachim Marseille, Karl Kugelbauer is credited with downing four Allied aircraft while with Jagdgeschwader 27 (one in the rank of Oberfähnrich: a Martin 167 at 16:38 on September 27, 1941, 4 kilometres east of Bardia, Libya - and three in the rank of Leutnant: a Hurricane at 13:08 on February 10, 1942, west of Gambut, Libya; a Curtiss P-40D at 10:50 on March 2, 1942, west of Torbruk, Libya; and a Curtiss P-40 at 10:30 on July 3, 1942, at an altitude of 1500 metres, 20 kilometres east-southeast of El-Alamein, Egypt). He was later Killed in Action. Photograph: Three of Jagdgeschwader 27's top aces. (From right) Hans-Arnold Stahlschmidt, Werner Schröer, Hans-Joachim Marseille. On the far left is Karl Kugelbauer, Marseille's wingman at that time, October 1941. (C:45)

