More GJR 98.....
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and a visit by some VIP's. Any guess's?Comment
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The 167 Infantry Division moved east to take part in Operation Barbarossa as part of Army Group Center and in June 1941 the invasion began.
They waited weeks, but no word. Then letters from home began to return as "undeliverable, return to sender". They found reasons to explain this away- transferred perhaps, trouble with mail reaching the front- his unit already have moved on, etc. They waited. They listened to frontline reports on the radio. Nothing. Then more letters came back. Christmas passed by quietly; the New Year opened with a "dark question mark-how was Anton?"
There were rumors, apparently a member of Anton's platoon indicated bad news, a seriuos wound and worse- they accepted the wound part, Mother prayed "thank you Lord, at least now he has a roof over his head and is out of the cold. Then the official letter from OKW arrived and dashed all hope.. The OKW letter noted Anton was badly wounded on 9.11, died on 11.11. What a blow! He continues "Tot(dead)! How those three letters smash a lifes plan into rubble. "Tot! We shake our heads in disbelief before Anton's photographs. Like wildfire, the painful tidings spread from mouth to mouth, the newspapers carried it out to acquaintances and relatives and invited them to a memorial service on 7 March 1942." [ The german reads:Tot! Die 3 Buchstaben schlugen einen Lebensplan in Trummer. Tot! Wir glaubten die 3 Buchstaben nicht, wir lasen sie wie Traum. Tot! Wir schuettelten unglaubig den Kopf vor Antons Photograpfie...wie ein Lauffeuer verbreitete sich die schmerzvolle Kunde von Mund zu Mund, die Zeitungen trugen sie hinaus zu Bekannten und Verwandten und luden sie ein zum Trauergottesdienst am 7. Maerz 1942."Comment
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Anton died 11.11.1941 at Oserki just south of Moscow. The drive on Moscow took many lives......everyone with a family......Comment
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Simon;
Yes it does say Hauptmann u. Kompanie Chef. He also made a real nice entry in the wherpass. Here it is...Comment
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The Oberst with EKI and crossed hands will be recognisable to anyone interested in the Gebirgstruppe. It's Eduard Dietl.Originally posted by John Walker View PostCollecting German award documents, other paperwork and photos relating to Norway and Finland.Comment
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