Death In The Field

[Rick Research]

Although inappropriately morbid for most of us, Fahrer Hans Asang of 1st Artillery Munitions Column/Bavarian Ersatz Division (little X over his head 4th from left) chose this macabre snapshot to write home to his sister in Munich: "...here's the burial of a comrade, otherwise not much new... regards to Papa and Mama..."

Asang himself was wounded at least once-- I have another photo of him in his army issue pajamas with other wounded men-- and survived the war.

[Rick Research]

Yawning assembly line pits like the above were not what the "homefolks" usually got as memento mori-- here is the tidy garden-like grave of Ldst. Rekr. Alfred Meyer of 9./Res. Inft. Regt. 222. Unfortunately there is no date of death, and the online German War Graves site has dozens and dozens of Alfred Meyers-- no units at time of death to check against.

[Rick Research]

The chaplain, mourning comrades, and idle onlookers like Asang also usually didn't stick around for what came in between the two photos above--

here is a graves registration squad (last half of 1918-- note silver Wound Badge) pausing in their work for a commemorative snapshot-- complete with stack of waiting pine boxes at left...

and yes, that IS a dead, rigor mortis stiffened CAT on top of the coffins, about to be interred with whoever these soldiers were.

[Tom Y]

When the dirty work was done, the Brass came in and made it official.

[Tom Y]

Another view.

[Sebastian Bianchi]

Interesting photos, thanks for posting them.