The Lord of the Bling: Göring's Diamond Gift Badge
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- Опубликовано: 8 июл 2024
- In 1935, Hermann Göring created a special diamond-studded, gold and platinum award to be given to very select Luftwaffe leaders and also foreigners and other German leaders. Today, these badges are worth a small fortune. This is the story of the Combined Pilot/Observer Badge in Gold with Diamonds.
Very special thanks to Rock Island Auctions for permission to reproduce their photographs. Please visit: www.rockislandauction.com
Dr. Mark Felton is a well-known British historian, the author of 22 non-fiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Fe...
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Credits: Scargill; Wolfmann; Pimboli DD; wcstumpmilitaria
Sources:
- 'OTTO SKORZENY’S PILOT-OBSERVER BADGE WITH DIAMONDS', Sept. 8, 2011, W.C. Stump Militaria
- 'COMBINED PILOT’S AND OBSERVER’S BADGE IN GOLD WITH DIAMONDS', FELDGRAU - German Armed Forces Research 1918-1945
- 'Lot 1348: Very Rare Luftwaffe Pilot/Observer Badge in Gold with Diamonds', Rock Island Auctions, Dec. 8, 2013
"Needless to say, Goring also presented one to himself"
somewhere I read that Hitler and company used to make jokes on Himler's awards. I hope Goering didn't do it!
Why not though, I'd like a diamond broach
Mark Felton and Hermann Göring, absolutely an immediate click.
I know what you mean!
Just watched the Get Göring episode
Perfect timing
WOW, that side shot of Hermann @1:33....omg, I've never seen him from that angle looking so HUGE. No way he'd fit into a fighter plane at that stage.
I saw Herman leaning over the newspaper’s of the day at the Nuremberg trails & laughing bc of the Russian threat .
Better than anything else they got on here.
"The first unpleasantness". Nice turn of phrase, Mark.
A phrase often used by the RUclipsr Autoshennanigans.
Typical British understatement.
They do have a way with words that is hilarious and endearing.
I caught that also. A more kinder, gentler machine-gun hand for sure!
Yes, similar to the unpleasantness over Hiroshima.
Goering clearly won the Battle of the Buffet.
Priceless.
But he lost the "Battle of the Bulge"
Dr Felton should do a whole video on his massive girth and take bets on what he weighed.
@@JCinerea Dr. Felton clearly had that battle in the bag.
@@JCinerea
Clever 👍
At least Göring had plenty of uniform to put the medals on!
At least he earned his wings. Unlike Churchill.
@Occident. Yes some of them certainly. Funnily enough, he and Churchill had medal collecting fixations.
@@Occident.Churchill was actually a trained pilot… (he just didn’t complete the training in 1914 (with the RNAS) and again in 1919 ((with the RAF) after a crash) because the government ordered him to stop). Churchill was integral to the development of the Sopwith Sociable (the first side by side dual control training aircraft in early 1914).
You get second place in comments. Had to give first place to Goering won battle of the buffet. Sorry no badges or ribbon for you. 😂
Audibly chuckled
“Lost in a fire” is a good way for them to be quietly kept.
Lost in a boating accident.
Goering: I am General Bling.
North Korean General: Hold my soju.
While having a ton of medals none of the NK ones seem very flashy.
Legend has it, they are made from the tears of it's citizens..
69 years old. Videos regarding little known aspects of World War II history always fascinating. Confirms there’s always something more to learn and these videos fit that bill. Thanks.
I don't know why but he did not mention their was two types of this award the male and female version. Which was a pendant, Hannah Reitsch was the only recipient of this award
65 here. You and I thought we knew it all. But there's always something new and fascinating from Mark.
The Lord of the Bling! Great title and video Dr. Mark! Many thanks for posting!
The colony of German South West Africa, today's Namibia, was very rich in diamonds. The deposits were easy to mine (sift them out of the desert sand, so to speak). In the years 1900 to the 1940s, there were therefore very good, plentiful and cheap diamonds in Germany. The gold in the setting was often more expensive than the diamonds. In 1920-1940, for example, rhodium-plated white gold with diamonds was the evening jewelry in Berlin.
German South West Africa stopped being a German colony in 1914. But yes, the Germans may have had business contacts with de Beers after that.
SWA was a South African protectorate (authority of the League of Nations and subsequently the United Nations) from 1919. Germany had no more access to the diamonds there than any other nation. South Africa was an active member of the Commonwealth nations opposing Germany in both 20th century world wars.
@@dougerrohmer - it's possible. However De Beers was always a very British company and supplied almost all of the South African diamonds that are present in the Crown Jewels, as gifts mostly. De Beers bought the controlling interest in the Kimberly mines long before taking over the old SWA diamond fields after ww1. De Beers gained global control of the diamond trade through their Britishness.
@@lunsmann True, and now I have no idea why OP affirmed that diamonds were cheap in Germany. Maybe not so much cheap, as Cheapskate Goering used shitty grade diamonds?
@@lunsmann 😁
By the looks of Göring, it looks like he never met a bratwurst that he didn't like.
Goring wore more bling than liberace..a lot of it self awarded..but he was a ww1 hero and did earn the blue max
Liberace! Lol! 🤣🤣
Göring vs. Liberace vs. Elvis
Who wore more bling?
@@spudskie3907the DPRK has entered the chat.
His natural ceiling was command of a jagdstaffel. He did very well as the leader of Jasta 27, earning 21 kills and the PlM. He was over his head once promoted to command of Jagdgeschwader 1, and was one of the UK's biggest assets during the Battle of Britain.
You are right, he earned the Pour Le Mérite (Blue Max) medal. 20 victories were required to earn the PLM. At the end of the war Göring had 22 victories. What puzzles me is that for some obscure reason Göring received his PLM after 18 victories. I think that Mark Felton mentioned that in one of his videos.
From WWI to WWII Göring went from fighter Ace to the Goodyear Blimp.
Incredible how much weight Goering packed on during the war.
Even more incredible how he lost a lot of it in allied imprisonment. The diet must have been strict.
He was overweight due to drug addiction bc of a wound in WW1 & was weaned of it during Nuremberg trials .
Or because he was a compulsive glutton of more than just medals.
Constipation due to morphine abuse.
A dashing fellow in his youth.
The only dashing he did, later in life, was to the buffet...
Well done, Dr. Felton. If WW2 knowledge was measured in decorations and medals, you would make Goering blush.
I don't know why but he did not mention their was two types of this award the male and female version. Which was a pendant and that hanna reitsch was the only person to receive it
167 likes, 900 views - 4 minutes! We all love this guy!!!!!
And that's on a quiet day!
Yes, Hermann Goering still has a lot of drawing power. There's his gravitas that must be dealt with.
3 hours. 34k views. The Dr. is in.
Despite been looking like a Michelin man, decorated like a Christmas tree, it is reported that Göring still had some natural authority in his appearance.
Just listen to him here on RUclips. Goering Nuremberg.
@@ShlomoEden That reminds me of a company I had with two partners around 25 years ago. One was like Göring, one like Göbels and I had big visions. It worked extremly well for a while, then later we each had our own company. Unfortunately, our Göring died suddenly of a heart attack two years ago - it was probably due to being overweight.
He was a great man.
Don't forget he was completely strung out on morphine too
@@Occident. You mean a great big man?
“King of Bling and Prince of Pretentiousness” 🥇 I so admire these biting sarcastic put-downs. Thank you
Probably the most favourite character of Dr. Felton 😂
Just imagine how furious Goring would be to know all his medals are on display at an RAF museum in Britain. Warms the soul.
Not all, his famous or the famous Diamond Swaz was dis-assembled, the gold melted down.
@@PeteDavidson-yl3ps That’s just vandalism. They were historical relics …
not sure he'd be furious.
Probably to prevent nazi sympathizers from stealing it.
"A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of coloured ribbon," Napoleon Bonaparte.
That was long before "award inflation" rendered them valueless.
From the film 'Barry Lyndon' by Kubrick, I learned that in the Prussian army of Frederick the Great, brave soldiers were actually awarded gold pieces!
I ascribe to enlightenment ideals too, but military awards are about tradition and respecting those before you; like the eagle standard and unit colors.
@@AYVYN "Respecting those before you" - so a guy comes back from fighting in WW1 or WW2 and he has three or four ribbons on his chest - while today a service member who has never heard a shot fired in anger has two or three dozen ribbons on his chest, looking like a "real" hero in comparison. When almost EVERYBODY gets an Achievement Medal - they only thing they seem to indicate is the guy who doesn't have one wasn't enough of a kiss-ass to get what everyone else got. And when you can design a matrix to show what awards everyone is wearing based on rank, time in service, and branch of service ... well, that leads me to believe the system has lost something somewhere along the line.
@@dougearnest7590 I can see where you're coming from with that and I agree. Some service members now seem to have more ribbons after 10 years of service than General Patton had after 30. However during WW2 Patton was of the opinion the US Army under-awarded soldiers, stating "We must have more medals and not be stingy in handing them out!"
But I can't help but think we've gone a bit overboard in that department. There has to be a happy medium somewhere.
I was a Docent at the now closed International Museum of WW2 near Boston. We had a ton of Goering’s personal effects. Like his address book, cufflinks, and the suitcase that he took to Nuremberg prison. You could still smell the cologne!
Before I watch this Iwatched you Mark for all the wonderful videos I have watched. In my younger days I was an historian but never studied the wars of which my so loved Dad had been in in WW1. I used to have an amazing memory right to conversations at 2. Now in my 80s that memory is fading. It humiliates me but watching all your postings is stimulating and so interesting. Thank you
Its always a good time to watch a mark Felton video!
These videos by Mark are so addictive I can binge watch them all evening
Goering would approve of your binging enthusiasm.
They should make a T.V. channel that shows all these cool WW2 and other historical themed subjects.
What would we call it?
@@Flint-Dibble-the-DonThe F Files
Same here!!
I saw a Mark Felton video posted 4 minutes ago and I was on top of the world!
Hanna Reitsch also had a badge given to her by Goring. She earned hers as a test pilot.
Mr Goering already had a house waiting for him in England upon successful invasion. Later known as Bramshill, a police college for high ranking officers. He once stayed there. His bedroom became a secretary's office. I know this as I've been there. Very small room strangely. So hes probably happy his medals are cared for in England.
“The Lord of the Bling”!!!! Between the title, and “the first unpleasantness” remark, I am more hooked on Dr. Felton’s videos than ever!!!
Yes Dr. Mark Felton, Goering was the Lord of the Blings
The Pour le Mérite was a Prussian award, not German per se. It became extinct as a result of Kaiser Wilhelm II's abdication as king of Prussia and German Emperor on 9 November 1918. This marked the end of the Prussian monarchy and it was never awarded thereafter
The civilian version is still awarded to this day. It was revived in 1952. It is awarded by the german president, not by the state.
@@jacoboreyes3160 Correct, but it doesn't resemble the military award, the current Pour le Merite is awarded for outstanding achievment in the arts and sciences.
Since it was an officers-only award Hitler wasn't interested in reviving the Pour le Merite in any form, even though he was a BIG admirer of the order's originator Frederick the Great. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was developed as a substitute and any soldier, sailor, or airman of any rank could recieve it, not just officers.
The Iron Cross itself was also a Prussian award but since it's origin during the Napoleonic Wars all ranks were always eligible so when war came in 1939 Hitler re-authorized it enthusiastically. And of course he was a recipient himself in WW1.
The military version of the Pour le Mérite was also called the Blue Max.
The metal was originally carbon but Göring‘s gravitational pull turned it into diamond.
MARK. Did not mention that there were two badges of this award
(1.) The pilot/observer badge in gold & diamonds (A & B) A. for daily wear B. Ceremonial version ( he talked about this version )
(2.) The female badge is identical to the awarded type, being produced in real diamonds set into an eagle constructed of platinum, which in turn is mounted on to a gold wreath. The insignia is about one third of the size and mounted on a bar. This thin bar has 5 small diamonds set into it on either side of the wreath. The remaining part from the diamonds to the tip is highly polished. On the reverse is a long needle pin. The only recipient of this exclusive award was; Flug-Kapitänin Hanna Reitsch. She also held the unusual honor as a woman to have had bestowed upon her both the Iron Cross Second Class and First Class. There is a photo online of her wearing this award at a ceremony with Gauleiter Karl Hanke ( who was the final. Reichsführer-SS ) And there is no original list of recipients that survived the war. They have either been identified by the original award document or by photo evidence
Rommel probably rated the Observer badge. He was known for flying in his his Fiesler Storch recon aircraft at stupidly low altitudes over enemy troops. He very nearly was captured when his aircraft developed engine problems behind the lines in Africa. They landed and fixed the problem and took off in nick of time.
I'm not sure he was a qualified pilot - I think he just took over from his pilot once airborne - rather like Mussolini.
@@MarkFeltonProductions yes you are correct... But I think he probably met the"observer"part pretty well if nothing else.
It might have been better for Rommel in the long run if he WAS captured! The British would have treated him with respect and he certainly would have survived the war, possibly even have played a major part in the creation of the West German Bundeswehr in the 1950s. But of course it wasn't to be. A great "What if?"
@@MarkFeltonProductions Why is the thumbnail edited to block the southern arm of the Swastika?
You are the G.O.A.T, sir! Thank you from Maine, USA👊♥️ 🇺🇸
Prince of Pretentiousness - classic! 😂
Mark, your channel is a Diamond in the rough!
Intro song still slaps
This could be a great video: SS/SD boss Reinhard Heydich actually was a fully qualified Luftwaffe fighter pilot. He was even shot down in the Soviet Union while on a combat mission
Yes this sounds interesting.
Mark Felton needs to have his own version of an observer badge. And give me one for watching all his videos. 🎖
My mothers uncle one got an East-German medal once but he was not happy with it. He was a Feldwebel in the Wehrmacht and he once said that for these medals they really had to do something....
I have his pictures and on them you see these ww2 medals.
I hope he made it alive after WW11 & what a STUPID WAR . RIP TO ALL SIDES .
We need to award Dr. Mark Felton a medal for making such interesting videos.
..about medals
If I had such a thing, I would donate it to a museum. It would not be enjoyable for me, to have such an object in my house. Thank you for the video.
Churchill…”it’s good to know the King.”
Unless I'm mistaken I believe German aviatrix Hanna Reitsch was also awarded one of those special Pilot/Observer badges. She deserved it too.
"Lord of the Bling!" Love it!
Goering also tried to get himself awarded the Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross, the highest award for non-combat service but by that time Hitler had had enough of Goering's medal collecting and flat out refused him.
That must have been hilarious to see. Can you imagine the painter snorting "No way you're getting this, and if you're offended go on a run."
@@michaelkovacic2608 Oh yeah, it would have been fun looking through a keyhole on that! The thing is Hermann might have gotten away with the request in 1940 when he and the Luftaffe were riding high, but later in the war when he did put in the request (1943 I think) there was no way Adolf was going to hand him any more decorations, he'd just about had it with Goering, there'd been too many disappointments.
How the hell did I end up with another mark Felton video
Sheer good luck.
I hear the original swastika meant good luck so...
A vid from Felton and Time ghost in the same day will always be a great day!!
Just want to thank you for introducing me to Time Ghost.
Absolutely fascinating, Dr. Felton. Thank you.
Thank you for making these videos. I really enjoy your work.
flying on Airplanes - that makes me a Pilot too🤣🤣🤣
That’s goering to be a lot of bling
All those non-aviators earned their Pilot/Observer badge by observing their pilot.
"The First Unpleasantness". Classic!
Your presentations are always of such a high quality, well- researched and informative. Thank you.
I don't know why but he did not mention their was two types of this award the male and female version. Which was a pendant and that hanna reitsch was the only person to receive it.
I'm a very big history buff. I bounced between World War 2 and the U.S. Civil War. Your channel is so great. I love channel. Thank you.🇺🇸☮️⭐💫✨😇
It’s great to find a historian like Mark. Politics aside..the Luftwaffe had some of the greatest aces of the war and some of the most state of the art fighter jets known to man at the time.
Those Dawggone Messerschmidts are something amazing
Goering always reminds of a certain politician/businessman in the US. I always forget his name. It will come back to me.
You are very dedicated to documenting history. Wonderful.
I don't know why but he did not mention their was two types of this award the male and female version. Which was a pendant and that hanna reitsch was the only person to receive it
Herman Goering was ultra fascinated by carrying medals 🏅upon himself chest ...
Absolutely stunning and awesome research you do. You find all these pictures and information out of nowhere it seems like. I collect militaria and historia items myself and i am very jealous on how good you are on finding info all around. That picture with Herman Göring with the order of the rising sun amazed me since i have never been able to find that one but here you do it like it is nothing!! Love from Finland
goering was an absolute unit
really enjoying these latest episodes of an indepth look into not only the history but of current value.
Another EXTREMELY well researched and presented video Dr Felton. Thank You.
I don't know why but he did not mention their was two types of this award the male and female version. Which was a pendant and that hanna reitsch was the only person to receive it
0:40 Young Göring looked like Mads Mikkelsen. I bet he did well with the ladies.
Padraig Pierce one of 🇮🇪 BRAVEST SON’S .
Честно говоря, каждый раз, когда я смотрю на лицо Германа Геринга, оно напоминает мне Свинью.
THANKS DR FELTON
Great video, thank you Mark.
❤🕊 thank you Dr. Felton
Love when I'm early for a Mark Felton video
"the First Unpleasantness" that's probably the most British description of WW1 ever!
"The Late Unpleasantness" was also a widely-used Southern euphamism for the American Civil War!
Almost as if the world hadn't heard a shot fired in anger since 1865!
'Goering in the sky mit diamonds' - A clever bloke could write a song around that......
Another historical triumph. Ty.
As usual, a very interesting video!
I was a teenage collector in the early seventies, when i noticed a display/sale of Diamond or Saphire encrusted Luftwaffe badges in a jewelers shop window in Liverpool. They were priced at about £85 each. It was so unusual and so out of my budget as a 15 year old.
Goring -- "if it is worth doing, it is worth overdoing."
Excellent explination. Thank you for uploading.
Well
Well
Such. Bling bling video .
Thanks Dr Felton , for the history lesson 👍
The thought of a Fiesler Stork trying to get off the ground with Göring in it, is frankly enough to amuse myself with endlessly
Funny. However Goering only weighed 135kg (298 pounds). Not particularly heavy by todays measure. A weight considered corpulent by the standards of that time. He was also 178 cm in height. 5 feet 10 inches.
Actually, looking at photos and film of Goring with Hitler, I'd say Goring was around 5'8". I think the Americans measured him with his boots on!
Still the best intro/outro music on RUclips
Better Batchelor has excellent intro music with a retro vibe.
What a beautiful badge though. Absolutely stunning.
Another “gem” by my favorite historian.
In WW1 Dönitz had some opportunities to work as an observer and bombardier in a plane. He was communications officer on the small cruiser Breslau that together with the battle cruiser Goeben was handed over to the Ottoman empire. Because there was little to do (the ships staying close to Constantinople most of the time) Dönitz got detached to aerial reconnaissance and even got the opportunity to throw some light bombs out of the plane. That was before he returned to Germany and joined the U-boats. So he at least brought some qualifications even if not meriting that grade of bling.
Rommel was notorious for his highly risky personal reconnaissance flights in North Africa, so an honorary observer's badge was not out of place but again not the mega-bling edition.
Fun fact: Goring’s jewel encrusted tie pin (which he wore on the cover of time magazine in 1940) is currently for sale
Where?
I was waiting for this one, I think I read this first from Dunnigan's book on WW2 trivia.
I don't know why but he did not mention their was two types of this award the male and female version. Which was a pendant and that hanna reitsch was the only person to receive it
Great like always
Interessantes Video ! Danke an Dr. Felton !
Thank you.
So pilots wings once were a sort of early Air Miles award?😊
Sir, you are the best! I am amazed about your knowledge! It's fascinating to watch ! As an addendum: I am most definitely subscribed!
Gréât documentaire always à pleasure 🙏
"The first unpleasantness." That's an interesting turn of phrase. Mark Twain once referred to the American Civil War as "the Recent Unpleasantness."
I think Himmler won the prestigious Golden Chicken award for retreating in the face of the enemy 😉
Yes, the observe badge was very fimiliar with klinks uniform.
Great coverage...the symbolism of their decorations is interesting, to say the least...the very least
Republic of China Air Force ace Arthur Chin was receipt of Pilotenabzeichen in 1936. His pilot badge stills on his tunic and it is preserved in Republic of China Air Force Museum. I did saw a picture of the tunic that has the US rank and badge. Due to the US standard, pilot badge is puts on above of left breast pocket, while the German standard was worn in the center of the left breast pocket of the service tunic. Arthur Chin got two pilot badges so Pilotenabzeichen moved to right side of top of breast pocket.
Interesting podcast, Goring was a very imposing large man with incredible piecing blue eyes. I cannot imagine the terror he imposed being near him.
BEST looking medal ever made!
Göring had very nouveau riche tastes.
Amazing he was able to find most of his medals.
335! I’m in under 500. Love the channel!