Some Detail about the "Pour-le-Mérite"

[Olham]

According to WIKIPEDIA, the "Pour-le-Mérite" ("For the Merit") was named "Blue Max"

by the flyers because of it's colour, and to honour one of the first aviators who

received it - Max Immelmann.

 

The Members of the Order of Merit were eligible for special military honours.

So they had always to be saluted first - even by those of higher ranks.

Guards had to salute the member "standing by their guns", which was otherwise

only reserved for their direct commanders, and persona from ruling houses.

 

The "Pour-le-Mérite" could also be awarded to foreign officers.

 

The Order still exists as the "Pour-le-Mérite for Science and Arts".

 

http://www.orden-pourlemerite.de/

 

 

 

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Edited June 10, 2012 by Olham

[+Gepard]

10 kills needed to get it, if i remember right.

[von Baur]

I'd heard eight, at first (Immelmann, Boelcke, and others in that era). In late 1916 or early 1917 (just before MvR got his eighth, IIRC) it was doubled to 16. Then it was raised again in 1918, according to some sources, to as high as 30.

 

*edit*

I believe you're referring to the term "Kannon", the German equivalent of "Ace", Gepard.

Edited June 10, 2012 by von Baur

[Olham]

They started with only 6 kills, if I remember Immelmann's PLM right.

 

Later, you had to make 15 or 16; and then, from some time in 1917 on you had to make 20.