Germany, Heer. An Acceptance Document for the Hungarian Merit Order to Major Paul Achilles

A certificate, measuring 211x298mm, extremely fine condition with minor scuffing and creasing. It states that Major (E = Ergänzungsoffizier, re-employed retired officer) Paul Achilles has been approved to accept the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Kingdom of Hungary. The document is dated to Berlin on November 4, 1938 and carries a facsimile of A.H.

Footnote: Paul Achilles (1890–1966) joined the Kriegsmarine in 1911 and ultimately became a navy pilot. Until September of 1914, he served with the 7th Navy Battalion and was then redeployed to the 1st Sailor Artillery Regiment until November. Subsequently, he served in the 3rd
Navy Infantry Regiment until January of 1917, during which time he was promoted to Lieutenant of the Reserve of the Navy Infantry on November 6, 1915. In early 1917, Achilles then began his career as a pilot by joining the 2nd Navy Pilot Detachment Wilhelmshaven. He received his pilot training at the FEA 4 Posen, and in March flew for the 1st Navy Pilot Detachment Kiel-Holtenau. In late July of the same year, Achilles was redeployed to the Fighting Single Seater School Putzig where he was awarded the Navy Pilot’s Badge on August 2. Later that
month, he began a short spell with the Navy Pilot Station Windau. Shortly before Christmas of 1917, Achilles was deployed to the Navy Front Wing in Flanders. Here, he achieved his first two aerial victories. Achilles took command of the Navy Field Fighter Wing 5 in August 1918. Between September and October, he was able to score another six victories, raising his overall tally to eight. Achilles was discharged on February 28, 1919. Nothing is known about his life between then and the awarding of the Hungarian Merit Order, and only a few pieces of information have been gathered about his time during the Second War. Achilles was promoted to Colonel on July 1, 1941, the highest rank he is known to have reached. He was awarded a Front Flying Clasp for Reconnaissance Pilots in Gold on December 5 that same
year. His last active front unit was the 1st Squadron of Reconnaissance Wing of the Supreme Commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe. He served as squadron leader. After that, he was placed in several ground units. His last assignment was Commander of Fliegerhorst (Airbase) A (O) 26/ VII from June 1944 until the end of the war.