Germany, Imperial. A Set Of Victory Shot Glasses To The Famous Jasta 4 Flying Circus

This is a unique grouping of First War Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 4 (Jasta 4 - “Hunting Squadron”) commemorative shot cups, constructed of silver (all marked on the bottom with “835” for silver content). Each is inscribed “Dem Sieger - Jasta 4” (To the Victor) as well as with a date, being “17.9.19”, “24.12.19”, “9.6.17”, “7.9.16”, “4.3.17”, “18.3.16” - two have been attributed to aerial kills, being Wilhelm Frank and Ernst Udet. Each measures 44 mm (w) x 31 mm in diameter. All with patina from age, but overall extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 4 was a figther squadron of the Luftstreitkräfte within the Imperial German Army. it was founded on August 25th, 1916, soon thereafter becoming part of the famed Flying Circus after Jasta 4,6,10, and 11 were combined into Jagdgeschwader I under the command of Manfred von Richthofen (“The Red Baron”). Command was temporarily transferred to Kurt von Döring following Richtenhofen’s injuries sustained during flight in June 1917. As part of the Flying Circus, Jasta 4 travelled from hot spot to hot spot, seing constant actions at the fronts of the 2. Armee, 6. Armee, 7. Armee, 17th Armee, and 5th Armee. It operated a variety of planes, including the famed Fokker Dr.I Tri-Plane, as well as several Albatros models, and Halberstadt models. The unit scored a total of 192 confirmed victories, with 15 aces, suffering 11 killed in action, and 9 wounded by the war’s end. Two of the cups are dated - one likely having belonged to Ernst Udet and the other to Wilhelm Frankl.

Ernst Udet (1896–1941) was a flying ace in the First War, claiming 62 victories, the most successful surviving pilot and a recipient of the Pour le Mérite. During the interwar period he was instrumental in the establishing of the Luftwaffe and its adoption of the dive bombing technique. He received the Knight’s Cross in July of 1940 and was promoted to Colonel General. However, the stressful life of Director-General of Equipment for the Luftwaffe and his inability to cope with administrative duties, for which he had received no education or training, led him to alcoholism and ultimately suicide.

Wilhelm Frankl (1893–1917), another flying ace of the First War, claimed 20 victories and was awarded the Pour le Mérite. Frankl was the first pilot in history to claim an aerial victory at night. At the time of his death he was of Lieutenant rank and commander of Jagdstaffel (Fighter Wing) 4. Frankl was killed in action over France on April 8, 1917 in a fight with RAF planes when his aircraft lost a lower wing due to the stress of the combat manoeuvres.