{"product_id":"german-wwi-sanke-postcard-507-leutnant-karl-emil-schafer-jasta-11-jasta-28","title":"German WWI Sanke Postcard 507 Leutnant Karl Emil Schafer Jasta 11 Jasta 28","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal German photographic portrait postcard of Leutnant Karl Emil Schäfer, card No. 507 in the Berlin aviator portrait series published by Willi Sanke (“Postkartenvertrieb W. Sanke, Berlin N. 37”). The caption reads “Leutnant Schaefer.” He is shown in a head-and-shoulders studio portrait, wearing his field cap and tunic with the ribbon of the Iron Cross 2nd Class at the buttonhole. No \u003cem\u003ePour le Mérite\u003c\/em\u003e (Order of Merit) is worn, which suggests the portrait was taken before his award of April 1917.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKarl Emil Schäfer was born in Krefeld in 1891. He served as an infantry soldier early in the conflict and was wounded before transferring to the air service. After flying two-seaters he joined Jasta 11 in January 1917, just as Manfred von Richthofen took command, and he quickly became one of the unit’s leading pilots. During the intense air fighting of the spring of 1917 his total rose quickly, and he received the \u003cem\u003ePour le Mérite\u003c\/em\u003e in April 1917. That same month he left Jasta 11 to take command of Jagdstaffel 28.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSchäfer was credited with 30 aerial victories. His career ended on 5 June 1917, when he fell in combat over Flanders, only weeks after taking command of his own unit. His short and brilliant record makes him one of the notable figures of the Jasta 11 circle that shaped German fighter tactics in 1917.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition is very good. The warm sepia image is clean and sharp, with only light handling wear. The reverse is unused and was never posted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCards of Schäfer are sought by collectors of Jasta 11 and of the \u003cem\u003ePour le Mérite\u003c\/em\u003e aviators. This card is a strong addition to any grouping built around the Richthofen brothers and the pilots who served alongside them.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Derrittmeister Militaria Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51262354292975,"sku":"44-79 XJC","price":85.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/9169\/5855\/files\/44-79XJC_1_2b4f43a8-6122-4975-906a-26e6f452f1fa.jpg?v=1792801440","url":"https:\/\/derrittmeister.com\/products\/german-wwi-sanke-postcard-507-leutnant-karl-emil-schafer-jasta-11-jasta-28","provider":"Derrittmeister Militaria Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}