Shot while Trying to escape?

[Simon O.]

Sounds like exactly the type of wound suffered by that guy in Band of Brothers that shot himself with his prized luger.

[JOHN JONES]

As a result of the lead given to me by Andreas, I have made contact with the
surviving son of Erwin Kerz. Now in his 70's he has taken the time to respond to my letter. He wished to have copies of the material I have, which I was
glad to provide.

On this first contact, he kindly supplied a picture of Erwin shorlty before his
posting to Afrika. I have yet to obtain fine detail of dates but it looks to be
an early issue of uniform. Mr Kerz mentioned he has a period newspaper
article posted to the family from the USA, a few days after his burial it describes
the funeral service in full. A small section appeared in a previous article, and
I think decribes the general feeling of the time. After it became clear that the
POWs' were not a gang of Nazi's throwng themselves on the wire, in an
attempt to pillage and plunder the countryside, things were quite cordial.
Things tightened up in early 1945, as the death camps were discovered and
the threat of 'tit for tat' against the US Pow's wained, but in general they were
tough but fair.
I have directed Mr Kerz towards to WaST, and I hope to find more details of
Erwins service before? Afrika. It would be interesting to find out if the family
received his Wehrpas and what entry was placed in it ' Died as Pow?.

Cheers,
John.

[JOHN JONES]

2

[JOHN JONES]

Hello All,
I recently received some more archive material from the son
of Erwin Kerz. It includes a photocpy of the wartime article that was sent
to the family. Sadly the pictures will not scan, but I will try and find a way
around that. It was a full service, with great respect shown to a fellow
soldier.
The other paperwork / notes, seem to cover the wartime / postwar
information that the family obtained. They currently have at least the
Wehrpas, which was obtained in 1947? so I hope to check the entry on
the page usuallly reserved for death details.
Although I await translations, it seems charges followed within the US
military, in regards to the incident.

Regards,
John.

[JOHN JONES]

The Widow of Erwin Kerz, out lived her dear husband by 61 years, passing
away at the age of 94. She retained all material related to her late husbands
war service and death, this was saved by the family and am happy to have added to it in recent weeks. With invaluable translation help by WAF member
Gerdan we are able to complete the story and a unique account of the
events of that day have surfaced.

Erwin was a late draftee, aged 32. 8th February 1942

( I am not sure if the Germans had a points system, but his age, being a
father of 2 children and his father having died in France 1916, may have
effected his call up)

Erwin was sworn in 24th Feb 1942 and began basic training, upon
completion, there was no doubt relief that he was allocted to a support unit
going to Italy, That being a driver for the support units.

Army cooling unit Afrika II (74/42 ( Heereskuhldienstst )
Army food supply office 516 ( Armeeverpflegungsamt )

Arriving in Afrika on 28th June 1942 and his last letter made it though
with a date of 11 / 4 / 1943 His POW record states capture/surrender date as 23/5/1943 in Tunis.
Martha received a POW I am safe captured the British card, 17/6/1943
And and another card as above 16/8/1943 marked Washington but with
no direct USA return address.
Erwin sent 3 more letters, the last being dated 20 /9/1943, return address being POW Camp No.131 Washingt on 25 (Fort Gordon)

All for now.
The next post will include an account of events by the German Camp pastor,
and quotes from official reports provided to the family.

Regards.... John.

[JOHN JONES]

Hello,
Picture from Erwins Wehrpas, a mystery here, please
refer to the Solbuch ID passes forum.


Ps. Sorry about the odd typo on my last post,
If Erwin arrived in 1842, he would have had a long wait for resupply.

[JOHN JONES]

To set the stage..
Some details of Red Cross Report, 3 weeks after Erwins death.
Pre-arranged visit, with no connection to the event.

[JOHN JONES]

Map of the POW compound ( circa July 1943 )
married with the red cross report.
I cannot identify the gaurd towers, but the blue dots
narrows the incident down to 6 barracks.

[JOHN JONES]

The family of Erwin Kerz, received official notification of his death in a letter
Dated 27/1/1944, via the OKW, this indicated he died as a result of an accident and that an official report was to follow. As was usual the family had received the news earlier via
unofficial means. ( Letter from the German camp pastor Walter Schaffer, 19/11/1943he indicated the accidental nature, but focused more on the dignified burial ceremony that her husband had been subject to.

On the 23/2/1944 the family received a copy of a memorandum produced by the
State department on 15/11/1943. I will indicate those details ( in bold type ) within
The account given to the family by Pastor Schaffer by letter on 25/12/1946.

“ How did your husband die? We had only been a few days in camp Gordon.
The guards have been young guys ( recruits ) It was the time shortly after dinner,
Your husband lay on his bed in the hut, it was the hut on the corner, close to the
Watchtower. When there was a shot, At 2.25 a shot was discharged within the barrack area and prisoners ran from the barracks calling for the camp ambulance the guard had played with his gun, the wooden wall of the hut was
Penetrated and your husband was hit in the abdomen. He got up, but after a few
Steps he lost consciousness and died after a few moments. The wounded prisoner was received at the base hospital at 2.40, but his life was unable to be saved
Not only the camp, but also the Americans were deeply shocked.
When questioned, the guard stated that he felt faint and in an effort to steady himself, he brought his weapon hand down on to the watchtower table, as the weapon struck down, it discharged itself

I was told by the U.S. camp pastor, that the guards mother was terminally ill and that
He had received word that his brother was KIA. He always shouted, please do not tell
my mother that I shot him down.At this moment in time, the guard is under charge of Article 93 of the geneva convention ( 1929 ) manslaughter of an unarmed prisoner within a POW camp, an investigation is ongoing.
I enclose the newspaper clippings of the funeral service, these pictures are a valuable
memory for me of my time in fort Gordon but also for you dear Mrs Kerz and your
Children, as a last sign from your husband.

END.

[JOHN JONES]

Conclusion

Are we to believe the guards story? I suppose anything is possible with firearms.
Was the young soldier in a mental state, pacing that guard tower hours on end with
the stress of his dieing mother and KIA brother on his mind.
Perhaps he did pop off a round not meaning to hurt anyone, but by a million to one
chance, hitting a resting Erwin and taking his life.

It is unclear if the charges were eventually brought, the German pastor made no mention
of it, and it would have made no difference to the family if he served prison time.
Certainly the authorities needed to handle this ‘ 1ST ‘ camp death with kid gloves and all
the attendant publicity. The Kerz family finally put this behind them, ( as millions of breaved
families had to ) and Martha never remarried, but she remained in the family home to
see her grandchildren and great grandchildren, grow up in a Europe at peace.

From a collecting point of view.
The $10 e-bay picture, is still a $10 picture, but I have been able to add some history
behind the image which has been most satisfying for me. A few loose ends to tie up in
regards to Erwin’s military passes and the funeral pictures, but I hope you have found
this thread enjoyable.

Regards John.

[JOHN JONES]

Hello All,
Please see the Solbuch and Wehrpas forum, for some
final information.

Cheers. John.

[JOHN JONES]

As mentioned in previous posts, I received xerox copies of the burial service
newspaper pictures, from Erwins surviving son.

Unable to scan then to any great quality, I left them on file.
Having recently loaned a half decent camera, I hope these shots will finish this
thread and complete the circle on one soldiers tragic story.

Regards,
John.

[JOHN JONES]

2,

[JOHN JONES]

Political Message, on German Military grave markers (Conus)

A thread on the LHF forum has been closed.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru....php?t=1045659

Not trying to fan the flames, but it relates.
I would have thought those markers were produced, afer the relevant
camp was closed and the bodies were reburied or relocated.
Doubtless the wartime marker, would be wooden like Erwins and the US Gov't
stone markers, seem to be pretty consistant. In being plain
tablets, devoid of cross, swastika and that type of lower wording.
That is unless someone else paid for them and a non german speaking
stone mason, got paid by the letter and thought nothing of it.
But they must have been sanctioned at the time by the VA? but no doubt postwar
American markers, were more their priority.
J.

[JOHN JONES]

German Military Decoration on Grave marker (Conus)

https://www.sdjewishworld.com/2019/1...tary-cemetery/