A First War German Imperial Flyers Group to Schrader Friedrich

Pilot's Badge in silver, unmarked, measuring 44 mm x 71.8 mm, having been wartime converted to screwback with post intact, fine toning; Iron Cross 1st Class 1914 with silver frame and iron core, magnetic, unmarked reverse, measuring 43.2 mm, vertical pinback; Iron Cross 2nd Class 1914 with silver frame, with iron core, magnetic, maker marked "N" (Neun, Rösner, Sachsen) on the ring, 42.2 mm, on its original ribbon as seen in the accompanying period photographs of Friedrich; and Hindenburg Cross for Combatants (iron with a bronzed, magnetic, maker marked "G10" (unknown) on the reverse, 37.5 mm, without ring and ribbon. Accompanied by a Miniature Group of Same (silver and bronze, with the original IC1, IC2 and HCC having had the Pilot Badge added between the latter two awards, 19.5 mm x 46.8 mm, horizontal pinback. Documents include his Military Pass featuring German pilot Friedrich Schrader’s vital information, including birth date, place of residence, marital status, number of children, parent’s names, height and boot size. Documents also includes a detailed service record, which outlines his training, movement between units and his medical leave. Award Documents for both the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Classes; along with twenty-one black and white Photographs (illustrating soldiers in various situations, along with nurses, aircraft (on the ground, in flight and downed), and a large aerial reconnaissance view). Footnote: Schrader was a Sergeant Pilot (Flight Sergeant) who served with Flieger-Abteilung (A) 257 from September 6, 1917 until the end of the war. Schrader was born on March 28, 1890 in Heudeber, a small village in the former municipality of Anhalt-Saxon. In 1911, at the age of 21, Schrader enlisted as a Corporal (Oberjäger) in the 3rd Company of the Hanoverian 10th Jäger Battalion, a light infantry battalion. Upon enlistment he received training with a Gewehr 98 rifle as part of a Bicycle Infantry Unit. In 1914, he was transferred to the 4th Magdeburg Infantry Battalion (Madgeburgische Jäger-Bataillon Nr. 4) of the Prussian IV. Army Corps and was once again a part of a Bicycle Infantry Unit. In 1916, he was granted leave due to sickness or injury. In 1917, he joined the Luftwaffe with Flieger-Ersatz Abteilung 7 and attended Flight/Air Observer School in Cologne. Following graduation, he received the title of Flight Sergeant and served with Flieger-Abteilung (A) 257. With the unit he participated in action on the Chemin des Dames (September 1917), in the South of Ailette (November 1917), in the North of the Ailette (November to December 2017), between the Rivers Meuse and Moselle (1918), and in Lorraine. Throughout his career, he received a I and II Class Iron and a Prussian Pilots Badge (Flugzeugführerabzeichen). (C44)