The Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe was a Luftwaffe award established on 27 February 1940 by ReichsmarschallHermann Göring, the ReichMinister of Aviation and Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe. It was officially known as the Ehrenpokal "für Besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg", or Honor Goblet "For Special Achievement in the Air War". The award was given only to flying personnel. Recipients' named were published in the periodical Ehrenliste der Deutschen Luftwaffe. German archives indicate that approximately 58,000 were given "on paper", but only 13-15,000 goblets were actually awarded according to the records. The first airman to receive the goblet was Johann Schalk on 21 August 1940. The award was made to aircrew who had already been awarded the Iron Cross First Class but whose performance was not considered to merit the German Cross or Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. It was replaced by the LuftwaffeHonour Roll Clasp in January 1944. The actual goblet was produced in two materials, fine silver or also in German Silver or Nickel silver. The size is about 200 mm tall x 100 mm in diameter. The goblet was produced in two pieces which were fitted together into one unit. The obverse depicts two eagles in mortal combat. while the reverse bears an Iron Cross in high relief. Oak leaves and acorns adorn the stem. The legend "Für Besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg" are formed into the base.
Although Göring considered the "Honor Goblet of the Luftwaffe" to be his "personal creation", it was not an original idea. It was based on a World War I aviation award, the Ehrenbecher für den Sieger im Luftkampfe, or Honor Goblet for the Victor in Air Combat. This award was generally given upon one's first victory in aerial combat. It has been reported, that the requirement for aerial victories may have increased later in the war, since air combat became more common. The total number of awards presented is unknown, but it was fewer than its World War II successor. Among notable recipients of the Ehrenbecher für den Sieger im Luftkampfe were:
Oswald Boelcke – 24 December 1915; One of Germany's top aces of World War I; also received the Pour le Mérite.
Max Immelmann - 24 December 1915; German World War I ace whose early exploits and fame led to the nickname for the Pour le Mérite as the "Blue Max"; also received the Knight's Cross and Commander's Cross of Saxony's Military Order of St. Henry.
Bruno Loerzer – award date unknown; the 8th ranking German ace of World War I; also received the Pour le Mérite; later a Colonel General in the Luftwaffe.
Manfred von Richthofen - award date unknown; top ace of World War I; also received the Pour le Mérite, Saxony's Military Order of St. Henry, Württemberg's Military Merit Order and numerous other decorations.
Kurt Student – award date unknown; later a Colonel General in the Luftwaffe and commander of German airborne troops.
Ernst Udet – 17 August 1916; second highest scoring German ace of World War I; also received the Pour le Mérite; later a Colonel General in the Luftwaffe.
The Imperial German Navy had its own aviation forces in World War I, and created its own non-portable award for victory in aerial combat. This was the Ehrenpreis für Vernichtung eines feindlichen Flugzeugs, or Honor Prize for the Destruction of an Enemy Aircraft. This was not a goblet, but a trophy of two eagles engaged in a mid-air fight. There was also another, even more rare, Imperial German award, the Ehrenbecher für erfolgreiche Angriffe aus der Luft, or Honor Goblet for Successful Attacks from the Air. This was apparently only bestowed a very few times to members of bomber or Zeppelin crews for successful attacks.
