The Collector’s Encyclopaedia · Signatories · Luftwaffe
Werner Mölders (1913–1941): Signature, Documents and Historical Profile
| Born | 18 March 1913, Gelsenkirchen |
|---|---|
| Died | 22 November 1941, near Breslau (air crash) |
| Key roles | Legion Condor (1938); 100th aerial victory (15 July 1941); Inspector and General of Fighters (1941) |
| Documents bearing his name | Wartime documents, award papers, signed photographs |
| In the collection | No pieces currently available |
Werner Mölders was the leading German fighter pilot of the early war years and the first member of the Wehrmacht to receive the Diamonds to the Knight’s Cross. He died in an air crash in November 1941, so all his signatures are wartime.
Who Was Werner Mölders?
Mölders was born in Gelsenkirchen in 1913. In Spain in 1938 he scored more victories than any other Condor Legion fighter pilot. On 15 July 1941 he achieved his hundredth aerial victory and was the first to receive the Oak Leaves with Swords and Diamonds. He became Inspector of Fighters on 7 August 1941 and General der Jagdflieger on 15 September 1941.
What Documents Bear Mölders’s Signature?
His signature appears on wartime documents, award papers and signed photographs. Nothing can postdate November 1941. See original signature or facsimile and the Knight’s Cross.
What Should Collectors Watch For?
- Nothing can postdate 22 November 1941.
- Signed photographs need comparison with authenticated exemplars.
- Check decorations shown in photographs against the date.
Death
Mölders died on 22 November 1941 as a passenger when a courier aircraft crashed near Breslau on the way to Ernst Udet’s funeral.
Collector’s Note
In a signed photograph, the decorations Mölders wears help date the picture. That is a useful cross-check against the story told about the piece.
Related Entries and Pieces
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Frequently Asked Questions
When did Mölders reach 100 victories?
On 15 July 1941.
How did Mölders die?
As a passenger in an air crash near Breslau on 22 November 1941.
Was Mölders the first to receive the Diamonds?
Yes, according to the Neue Deutsche Biographie.
Historical Responsibility Notice: this entry documents historical figures and artefacts of the National Socialist period for collecting, preservation, education and research. It does not endorse or glorify any ideology, and it is written in memory of the victims of the regime.
References & Further Reading
- Boog, H. (1994) ‘Mölders, Werner’, Neue Deutsche Biographie, 17, pp. 625–626.