Luftwaffe Honor Goblet (Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe). The "Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe" was established on 27 February 1940 by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, the Reichs Minister of Aviation and Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe. It was officially known as the Ehrenpokal "für Besondere Leistung im Luftkrieg" (Honor Goblet "For Special Achievement in the Air War"). The award was given to flying personnel (pilots and aircrew) only. Recipients names were published in the periodical 'Ehrenliste der Deutschen Luftwaffe' (Honor List of the German Air Force). 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 design of the goblot reflects that of the World War I goblet, the "Ehrenbecher für Sieger im Luftkampf". Superbly crafted by the firm of 'Joh. Wagner & Sohn' in Berlin which was the sole manufacturer ot this non-portable award. The goblet was awarded to aircrew members 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. This goblet was awarded on 23 January 1943 to Unteroffizier 'Heinrich Gräf', he was a Bordfunker within the '7./Erg.TG.' (ErgänzungsTransportgeschwader). The goblet is made of silver-plated "Alpaka", also known as 'German Silver', the goblet is nicely maker marked by the company of 'Joh.Wagner & Sohn' from Berlin. Engraved on the goblet is the name and award date: "Unteroffizier Heinrich Gräf, am 23.1.43". The goblet is free of dents, it is showing a sort of darkened tarnish which might be cleaned easily, I left it as found. The goblet comes together with its original matching DIN-A4 sized award-document (Urkunde). The award-document is in good condition with minor staining and damages along the edges.

The first and only unit to be fully equipped with Ar 232s was the 7./Erg.TG. (Supplemental Transport Squadron). Its formation, in Schönwalde near Berlin, was apparently ordered as early as June 1943, probably on the 15th. Captain Walter Meltzer, Knight's Cross recipient from III./TG 1, was appointed as the first squadron commander. However, he, along with the group commander of the l./Erg.TG., Major Kurt Wendorff, was killed in a test flight with the Ar 232 A-03, VD+YC, in Schönwalde on 15 August 1943. Along with them, Oblt. Helmut Jardon, Offz.z.b.V., Ofw. Albert Klenk, flight mechanic, and Uffz. Heinrich Gräf, flight radio operator, all from the 7./Erg.TG. Heinrich Gräf rests in the war cemetery in Neukölln (Berlin). Interesting original piece of history!