A Luftwaffe 30 “Eagle Wing” Plaque to Crew of Ju 88

Kampfgeschwader; Measuring 140x208mm, die-stamped zinc plate on cast zinc base on wood, with metal hanger, mounted on modern composite board, extremely fine condition with light scratches and minor imperfections of the zinc plate. The plaque is dedicated to the crew of a Junkers Ju 88 (multirole combat plane), namely Lieutenant Schneider, Gefreiter (Lance Corporal) Ried, Unteroffizier (NCO) Russa and Unteroffizier Schifferl.

Footnote: Kampfgeschwader (Fighter Wing) 30, nicknamed “Adlergeschwader” (Eagle Wing) due to its insignia, was established in September of 1939. Initially its planes fought Allied convoys in the North Sea. On June 17, 1940 it was responsible for the sinking of the British troop transporter “Lancastria”, evacuating British soldiers and French and British civilians from northern France. The number of casualties lies somewhere between 3,500 and 6,500. Afterwards the Wing participated in the Battle of Britain. It was then redeployed to Norway and flew missions against northern Russia, as well as missions against Allied convoys in the northern North Sea. In late 1942 another change of scenery meant a redeployment to Sicily for the fight in the Mediterranean theater. With the fortunes of the war turning, the Wing drew back more and more during 1944, eventually fighting against the Allies after their landing in Normandy. The final missions were flown out of the Czech region against the Red Army.