Grouping Werner Jungfleisch, Sturmgeschütz-Abt.228, RÜCKKÄMPFER !

[Lionel H.]

Hi Guys. This time, no German Cross in Gold Group to expect thereafter, so not my main interest Area, but before parting with this Group, it is IMO really Worth to be presented on the Forum. Werner Jungfleisch was what the german are calling a "Rückkämpfer" or "Rückkehrer". I am not able to translate it exactly in English, perhaps a german Member speaking fluent English will help me.... Anyway, these german Words are designing Soldiers "cut" from there Unit several days, weeks or Months..... and finally joining back their own lines.... Perhaps you've seen the Movie from Sam Peckinpah"Cross of Iron"..... showing an "example"....

Werner J. was born in 1925 in a small village near Saarbrücken, very few kilometers from the french Border... His Family Name can be translated in "Youngflesh"..... and his profession was.... yes ! Butcher !
He was incorporated in the Army in April 1943 in the Gren.Ers;Btl.438 in DUSS/Westmark (nowadays Dieuze, Lorraine, eastern France) and joined later the Stu.Abt.228, later called Heeres-Stug.Brigade 228.

First comes his nice SB, photo with Wrapper. Well filled, decorated ASA and BWB. The most interesting Entry "just IMO" is page 23 "Special Holydays Rückkämpfer".

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[Lionel H.]

Now some portraits from Werner, most stamped from a Saarbrücken's Studio, of course. </P><p><img src="http://cdn04.trixum.de/upload2/f/e/fenIkSvc9WxU144302755324P1683.jpg"></p>
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[Lionel H.]

Different minor documents : Arbeitsbuch from Werner, WH-Fahrschein delivered november 44 by his Unit, 2 Fieldpostletter to his Parents. </P><p><img src="http://cdn02.trixum.de/upload2/r/o/roj0Lsz5bU7y144302808702P1683.jpg"></p>
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[Lionel H.]

Now the 2 awards documents from GAB and BWB. GAB is signed by Hptm Rolf KNÜPPEL (German Cross Nov.1st 1943, Oblt, Stug.Abt.228). BWB signature is Hptm Kurt TESCHKE (German Cross Oct.7th 1943, Stug.Abt.189) </P><p><img src="http://cdn04.trixum.de/upload2/1/T/1TSU4dxXePhG144302911295P1683.jpg"></p>
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[Lionel H.]

Now IMO a rare document !! The condition of the doc itself is poor and has been reinforced onthe back, probably because Werner was especially proud of it and brought it to each Veteran Meeting after the War.....
This is a letter signed by a Lt informing the Family that their Son is MIA... It happened on Sept.5th 1944..... During the Retreat from Romania (Karpathen) get 1st leutnant Proebst and part of his Unit lost.... Proebst succeded to reach back the german Lines, but Werner and other Guys wer lost... The style of the Letter don't let many hopes to the parents "Seien Sie versichtert, dass Ihr Sohn in unseren Reihen stets unvergessen bleiben wird" (be sure that your Son will not be forgotten in our Unit). But as you will see... miracle happened !! </P><p><img src="http://cdn04.trixum.de/upload2/U/g/Ug7y9CcMWO1V144302967472P1683.jpg"></p>
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[Lionel H.]

And yes..... on Nov.15th 1944.... the UNit learned that Werner and some other comrades also reached the german Lines.... After how many time ?? The Lt congratulâtes W. and apologize the fact that his Parents have been already informed about his Missing..... He wishes a quick recover of his Health, some nice holydays and hopes..... to see Werner quickly back to the Battery !!

Great is, that Werner and a Comrades had the good Idea to visit a Photographer to show in which condition they arrived in Hungary after escaping the Enemy.... Look at their exhausted Faces, the Shoes (!!) and so on !! One caption on the back indicates "20.August-4.Okt.44".... If the date "Oct.4th" is the Date they reached the own lines..... it means that they were lost during almost a Month !! Is that not awesome ??

So, I am oblige to stop right now, this Thread will be continued later. Hope you enjoy it ! Lionel. </P><p><img src="http://cdn04.trixum.de/upload2/Y/d/YdxN5u9k1iQ6144303054189P1683.jpg"></p>
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[JUNGCO]

You don't have to sell it, you can just send it to me.
Jeff

[peterm]

Thanks for posting this very interesting story and documents, Lionel!

Kind regards, Peter

[Admiraal]

Wow I love it!
And the letters and photo's with it..
A rückkämpfer soldbuch is still on my wish list!

[Lionel H.]

Thank you Guys ! As I guess you can not wait to see more..... here is the "Sonderausweis" itself. </P><p><img src="http://cdn01.trixum.de/upload2/d/a/daCF5kuo1Jym144303974334P1683.jpg"></p>

[Lionel H.]

And some pictures from Werner and his Friends "in situation". Most of the Pics are captioned on the back, 1944 and 45. in "Roman" and "vor Jassy" </P><p><img src="http://cdn01.trixum.de/upload2/p/U/pUODMtbeEmYu144304005287P1683.jpg"></p>
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[Lionel H.]

this big one (18x11,7cm). </P><p><img src="http://cdn04.trixum.de/upload2/2/B/2BuKedRspW0r144304024974P1683.jpg"></p>

[Ian Jewison]

That's some story!!! How many groups do we have where this info has been lost.........

Great thread Lionel!!

/Ian

[Edward]

Excellent. Without doubt an outstanding group.

[Lionel H.]

Thank you very much Ian. When I get the group, all the Family military Stuff from the Family was thrown in a old cardbox, everything wax mixed.... The time spend for sorting, trying to understand, is really the best moment ! A french Author I don't remember the same said "The best Moment with a Woman is when you climb the Stairs".... You see what I mean... that's the same with Paperstuff

So, now, Werner with his Family.... This one taken in 1940, he is only 15 Years old. On the Right, his Brother Erwin. Erwin has been KIA on March 28th 1945 as a Leutnant, serving with the "Div. Reserve" of the 211.Inf.Div. In the middle, the Father Jungfleisch, which was "reactivated" in 39-40 as a sergeant. </P><p><img src="http://cdn04.trixum.de/upload2/Q/z/Qz5KtB1ZRpDh144304073415P1683.jpg"></p>