A Print Of Werner Mölders; Spanish Civil War Fighter Ace

A drawing of Major Werner Mölders, a fighter ace of the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) and the Second World War. It measures 146x211mm, near mint condition with minimally scuffed edges. The drawing was made by Wolfgang Willrich. It is dated to November 20, 1940, and was commissioned by the Volksdeutsches Kameradschaftsopfer der deutschen Jugend (German People’s Comradery Sacrifice of the German Youth) and the Volksbund für das Deutschtum im Ausland (National Association for German Culture Abroad). The original drawing was signed by Mölders. Underneath his name, he is recognised as the first ever pilot officer to receive the Oak Leaves to his Knight’s Cross.

Footnote: Werner Mölders (1913–1941) was the first pilot in the history of aviation who won 100 aerial victories. He was a recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds. Among the many other rewards he received are a Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords and Diamonds, and a Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Fighter Pilots in Gold with Diamonds. Mölders commanded the Jagdgeschwader 51, the fighter wing with more aerial victories than any other German wing. He was promoted to Colonel and made Inspector General of Fighters shortly before his untimely death in an accident.

Wolfgang Willrich (1897–1948) was an artist and writer. He was a patronising member of the SS and a fanatical believer in the Nazi arts ideology, one of the creators of the infamous “Entartete Kunst” (Degenerate Art) exhibition, aimed at deriding modern works of art, which were seen as un-German, Jewish, and Communist. During the Second World War, he was part of a propaganda company in the field.