General Ludendorff's Pour le Mérite with Oakleaves
Prussian Pour le Mérite with Oakleaves (Pour le Mérite mit Eichenlaub) which belonged to General Erich Friedrich Wilhelm Ludendorff (9 April 1865 – 20 December 1937). He achieved fame during World War I for his central role in the German victories at Liège and Tannenberg in 1914, he earned the Pour le Mérite for the successful German assault on Liège on 16 August 1914. Ludendorff was awarded Germany's highest military decoration for gallantry, the Pour le Mérite, presented by Kaiser Wilhelm II himself on 22 August. He was awarded the oakleaves on 23 February 1915. This is a wartime made hollow construction decoration in 22kt gold, the decoration is marked with a small "W" indicating that it has been made by the company of 'Wagner & Sohn' from Berlin. Complete with oakleaves, also made from gold. The decoration comes with its original 17cms long ribbon with 3 silvers stripes indicating the oakleaves to the Pour le Mérite. Overall outstanding condition. The buyer will receive more information about the provenance of this decoration. Ultra rare original attributed piece!
