Were the death cards purely an enlisted/NCO thing? I've never seen a death card for an officer. If they exist, does somebody have an example? Also, what's the highest rank that you've seen a death card for if the decedant was an officer? Thanks.
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Jack-
Death Notices were not limited to NCOs, they were open to all ranks. I have seen them for both Leutnants and Hauptmanns, however these are rather uncommon compared to regular soldiers. There's a great book available called "I Died For You, Too, A Collector's Guide to German World War II Death Notices" by Marc J. Johnson and Kristi A. Johnson. It gives a nice overview of death notices and shows hundreds of different examples. The authors of this book are collectors from the Syracuse, NY area. It's not a book with major circulation but I think you may be able to find it on eban.
Best Regards,
Brian -
Hello,
Brian is correct they were made for soldiers of all ranks-when i get my computer back this week ill scan/post a few of mine-I have a couple for company comanders-luftwaffe officers etc.cards for officers, especially decorated officers are more rare and expensive than the common EM/NCO cards-I collect death/memorial cards and i wont buy one unless its something interesting-panzer crewman-pilot-decorated soldier-named unit famous battle etc.
YancyComment
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Death cards have become fairly common over the years dropping the prices of them. Right now, they seem to be undervalued on the market. I have about 800 of them in the collection.
As was mentioned in previous posts, the EM and NCO cards are by far easier to find than officers. I have about 40-50 officer cards with the highest ranking one being an Oberfeldarzt (which I believe is Lt. Col.). But the death cards were not limited to just Wehrmacht troops. I have had at one time or another SS, Feldgendarmerie, Polizei, Luftwaffe, RAD, Luftwaffe female notice, Customs, etc. The more unusual the notice, the higher the price of the notice.
Notices normaly were a single page notice, while others were a dual page notice. Not often seen are the notices with brothers on them, or even father and sons. The more family members on the notice, the higher the price is on those. The most I have seen on one notice is one of 4 brothers. Also, if the soldier is named to a specific unit or held certain decorations or medals, again, the price increases for those.
Hope this helps.Comment
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scans from company commander deathcard
Hello,
I finally got some of my computer problems worked out and was able to take some scans-here is a card for a Heer officer-I also have some for Luftwaffe officers/pilots
YancyComment
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Thanks, Yancy.Comment
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Hello
Here is another Death Notice of a KC holder. Be carefulm with those latter ones, I think they begin to be faked.
Regards
DenisComment
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