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Description: | very small characters : 990
obverse design : Flight Commander Max Immelmann, bust, three-quarter right profile, in uniform. Above the subject's right
shoulder a vertically positioned laurel branch
obverse text : "M Immelmann" (indented script around right edge)
First World War portrait medal by Fritz Eue, commemorating the German fighter ace Oberleutnant Max Immelmann (1883-
1916), one in a series of patriotic medallic tributes to military personalities produced by the artist during the war. Immelmann, who had
previously served in the German Army, was recalled for duty on the outbreak of war in 1914. He rapidly transferred to the Flying Service
and qualified for active air operations by March 1915. Following initial reconnaissance duties Immelmann's obvious skill and daring
manifested itself in some spectacular aerial combats. His aggressive offensive patrols over the Lille battlefront earned him the nickname
'Der Adler von Lille' ('The Eagle of Lille'). An innovative flyer Immelmann perfected a combination of a half loop and half roll as a
counter-attacking ploy, a manoeuvre which came to be known as the 'Immelmann Turn' and one which was imitated (often with less success) by
many subsequent airmen. By the time of his death (18 June 1916) he had been credited with 15 'kills'. Controversy surrounds his death as
the British claimed that he crashed as a result of an attack by an FE2b. German opinion was that he shot himself down when his synchroniser
gear malfunctioned. | Publisher: | http://www.iwm.org.uk | Subjects: | portrait / personification Max Immelmann Death of & 18/6/1916 Western Front Air Operations & Immelmann commemorative First World War DE.A Air Service | Source: | Imperial War Museum | Creator: | Eue, Fritz | Identifier: | http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/o... | Go to resource |
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