East front/Normandy group

[desiro]

I put a few questions on the research forum and the guys asked me to put
some pictures of the group on here.

I am still researching this soldier but this is what i have done so far.

Josef meurer was a soldier who served on the East front in gdr rgt 697 which
i believe was part of the 342 infantry division.He earned EK2,East medal,wound badge.Grenadier regiment 697 was also involved in anti partisan
activity in Yugoslavia.

Early in 1944 he joined Grenadier regiment 1058 part of 91st Luftlande Infantry division.Based in Normandy during the invasion Rgt 1058 was involved in
the defence of the Utah beach area and fought with the landing US Paratroopers.Later the battle of Carentan and the Battle for Cherbourg.Only a few soldiers from 1058 escaped the battle for Cherbourg,Josef was one of these.
He then had leave 18 july until 27 july following this he is in Paris.
Aug 44 he is shot in the neck and taken to hospital in England where he dies
on 8 sept 44.He is buried at Cannock chase German war graves.

The group has lots of letters from former comrades to Josefs family so hopefuly i will glean more info about Josef .

Hers the link to the research thread and any comments most welcome.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=468519

Andy

[desiro]

If anyone can translate the 26.6.44 entry that would be fab!

[desiro]

a

[desiro]

b

[desiro]

c

[desiro]

d

[desiro]

e

[desiro]

Also came with Josefs fathers WW1 IDS

[desiro]

Josefs ID disc returned by the British.

[desiro]

O forgot to add he was a MG company leader.

[Eric JB]

Hi Andy,

That is really an intersting grouping you are showing us here.

I like to see the rest of the letter written to his parents by his inseparable comrade Hans Weber from the city Trier.

More scans of the group are most welcome.......

Thanks for showing.

yours friendly

Eric-Jan

[bsmith56]

Great grouping you have here. I like the list of items that were returned to his family! And it appears you have pretty much all the important ones.

Question though, I see he had his last leave on July 18. Was is common for a soldier to be given a home leave with the situation like it was on the west front? The Division was being hotly contested on the Cotentin Peninsula and it seems that would be the last time they would give someone a leave...

[desiro]

Thanks for the replys.

I think his leave was hard earned following the tough battles.

I will post some of his felow soldiers letters,they are difficult to read but
mention Normandy.

[desiro]

Heres some of his comerades letters,very difficult to read but Normandie,panzers etc are mentioned

[desiro]

1