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A wonderful complete grouping of items relating to Adolf Schilling consisting of Cased Iron Cross 1st class, Iron Cross 2nd class, Russian Front Medal, DRL Sports badge in silver, Cased Air Gunner badge, Bomber pilots flying clasp in bronze, 3 snap shot photograph albums, Wehrpass and three log books.
The Iron Cross 1st class is in near mint condition. The cross is un-maker marked but retains nearly all of its silver frosted finish around the frame. The cross is housed in its original box of issue which has outlined Iron Cross to top. The Air Gunners badge is also in very good to near mint condition. Maker marked C E Juncker Berlin on the reverse. Much of the original blueing remains to the eagle and also approx 80% of the silver frosted finish remains to the wreath. The badge is housed in its original box of issue which is of very good early quality. Blue velvet lined interior. One small piece of the blue leatherette covering over the bottom of the box is lifting but otherwise very nice condition box. The bomber clasp with the grouping is an un-maker marked bronze grade example. The clasp retains much of the original finish. The clasp has been made to be slightly convex to wear on his tunic, This badge can be seen being worn in many of the photographs in the albums. Iron Cross 2nd class is similar in condition to that of the 1st class, retains much of the original frosted silver finish to the silver frame. The medal is complete with its original ribbon. The Russian front medal is possibly an award for another member of the family as I can not it listed in the wehrpass. The DRL badge retaining much of its frosted finish.
Adolf Schillings wehrpass is with this grouping. It states that he was born in 1918 and that the book was issued on 17th November 1936. He joined the Luftwaffe in 1937 and served in various training units before moving to a squadron in 1940. He served in various units including 1 staffel Erg Kampfgruppe 3, 4 Staffel Kampfgeschwader 2, 5 KG2 to name just a few. The last entries show him in at a flying school, possibly to learn to become a pilot? The book continues with various entries including his promotions, on 1st September 1942 he was promoted to Feldwebel. His orders and decorations page state he was awarded the EKII 12/2/1941, EKI 9/3/1941, Squadron clasp for bombers in bronze 6/6/1941, Air Gunners qualification badge 13/2/1941, DRL sports badge. The book shows a civilian photograph of Schilling. Schilling was killed 29th November 1942.
The log books in the grouping consist of two personal examples and one official hard bound copy. Many entries in December 1940 and early 1941 showing raids on targets over England including London, Derby, Bristol etc. The logs run from April 1940 until 28th November 1942. All three of the log books are very well filled out and make for interesting reading. In the back of the official log book are a selection of cut out photographs from a magazine, probably members of the same squadron. Also was his certificate for becoming the rank of feldwebel and a certificate regarding his death this is dated 21/1/1943.
The photograph albums with the group consist of three albums made up with a mix of photographs showing Schilling in uniform, his grave, funeral and also other members of his family etc in uniform. It is quite common for German photograph albums to have lots of photographs of different subjects as they were often put together after the war. The larger album of the three has German helmet badge to the front cover and consists of over 170 photographs, about 10 of which are post war family shots. But in this album there are many photographs of Schilling wearing the awards that are with this group and also photographs of his grave and funeral. The second album in the grouping consists mainly of photographs of Schilling, some are repeated from the first album. This album is annotated in places. The album consists of over 95 photographs. The last album in the group is of various subjects in uniform although I can not see the connection with Schilling but it came with the grouping and the set recently came from the family of Adolf Schilling so it must have some connection.
Overall this is a fantastic complete grouping of items relating to a member of the Luftwaffe who lost his life during WW2. It is becoming hard to find complete groupings like this as often they are split up over the years or go into collectors hands who only want one part of the group.
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