Lucky13
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"Consequently, it didn't take long for the German Supreme High Command to recognise the propaganda value of these air heroes. Accordingly, a pilot who shot down five enemy airplanes and qualified as a fliegeras (flying ace) soon became a prominent figure in the popular press and his every deed was covered in great detail. And so it was that, on the 12th of January 1916, Boelcke and Immelmann became the first flyers to receive the Pour le Mérite, Prussia's highest bravery honour. It is said that when Immelmann's decoration was fastened around his neck, the blue enamel of the Pour le Mérite medal cast a reflection on his otherwise pale countenance and, from that time forward, the decoration became known as "The Blue Max".
