Germany, Luftwaffe. A Rare Honour Goblet Award Document to Night Fighter Ace Rudolf Frank

(Luftwaffe Verleihungsurkunde für Ehrenpokal). Constructed of off-white paper stock with black ink, named to “UNTEROFFIZIER RUDOLF FRANK” in recognition of his exceptional bravery and success as a night fighter pilot, issued at Luftwaffe headquarters on 9 August 1943, certified by a facsimile signature of Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring and handwritten signature of General Bruno Loerzer, measuring 21 cm (w) x 30 cm (h), demonstrating folding creases which have been reinforced with tape in addition to minor soiling, a scarce document in very fine condition.

Footnote: A night fighter ace, Rudolf Frank downed 45 enemy aircraft in the span of 183 combat missions during the Defence of the Reich. Notably, all of Frank’s aerial victories were achieved against the Western Allies, primarily the British Royal Air Force (RAF), primarily at the helm of a Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighter. He notably became an “ace-in-a-day” by shooting down five Lancaster bombers on 20 February 1944 as they proceeded toward Leipzig. For his efforts, he was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (6 April 1944) with Oak Leaves (posthumously, 20 July 1944), the Honour Goblet (the certificate of which is offered here), and numerous other distinctions. Frank perished on 27 April 1944 when his aircraft was damaged by debris from a Lancaster bomber which he had just shot down, also his final victory, and he failed to bail out as his aircraft plummeted to the ground near Eindhoven.