WW2 German Luftwaffe – BRASS MEMORIAL PLAQUE – GROTSTOLLEN – KIA – Fw200 CONDOR

You are bidding on a VERY NICE original WW2 German Luftwaffe Brass Memorial Plaque, commemoratingUffz. Fritz Grotstollen, who was killed in action in 1941, when his Fw200 crashed over Portugal.Uffz. Fritz Grotstollenserved as a crew member aboard a Focke-Wulf Fw 200 C-3 Condor involved in anti-shipping operations. In the early hours of 15 June 1941, the aircraft was returning from an attack on a naval convoy west of Gibraltar when it was struck by flak and subsequently suffered a catastrophic failure. There are news cuttings of the time referring to a combat between a RAF Catalina and four German airplanes. The pilot was probably searching for a place to land and Amareleja had a landing strip at the time, but one bomb failed to release and detonated mid-flight, causing the aircraft to explode. Wreckage was scattered across approximately three kilometres, and all six crew members were killed.The bodies were collected by the Beja Fire Brigade and transported to Moura where they received proper military honors before being buried in the local cemetery, where they still are.The plaques offered from this group commemorate four of those lost in the incident, and came from the original monument, which has been updated and restored.Made of solid brass, this item is in SUPERB condition! Some slight toning, oxidation, spotting, and surface wear consistent with period brass. The engraving remains clear and legible. All mounting holes are present and untouched. Measures approx 4″ x 6″ in size, with Gothic script with full birth and death dates, surmounted by a Luftwaffe eagle. The plaque has four original mounting holes, indicating it was intended for permanent display, likely as part of a unit or memorial installation. A scarce and sobering original Luftwaffe memorial item directly linked to a documented combat loss of a Fw200 Condor in 1941. An EXCELLENT addition to any collection or display!