DAK Officer KIA

[Leroy]

My good friend Bob Lyons has recently obtained a small grouping of documents to Leutnant in the DAK, Guenther Becker-Glauch, who was part of the 33rd Artillery Regiment, attached to the 15th Panzer Division in North Africa (DAK Beob. Battr. [Pz] 326), and who was killed instantly at the age of 22 on the 28th of November 1941 near Tobruk when he was hit in the chest by shrapnel. Bob is hoping that other members here may be able to provide more information on this young man and the battle circumstances of his death.

The grouping consists of a number of letters, his death notice, an EKII award document signed by Rommel, a heart-rending letter from his commander to his parents and some other miscellaneous material. Rather than comment further, I'll just post for Bob the material and hope, with him, that someone here will know more.

[Leroy]

Photo, envelope

[Leroy]

More...

[Leroy]

Envelopes

[Leroy]

Death notices

[Leroy]

Second death notice newspaper banner

His body remains in Africa, buried in Tobruk.

Nachname: Becker-Glauch
Vorname: Günther
Dienstgrad: Leutnant
Geburtsdatum: 06.06.1919
Geburtsort: Bremen
Todes-/Vermisstendatum: 28.11.1941
Todes-/Vermisstenort: Tobruk

All help greatly appreciated!

[Bob Lyons]

Thanks for posting that for me Leroy, greatly appreciated mate.

Cheers

Bob

[jacquesf]

Cannot help with info, but nice little group. J

[Tora_Tora_Tora!]

Probably our guy died under the heavy tanks attack which had place all over the Operation Crusader started by the british army in that area

[Tora_Tora_Tora!]

His body remains in Africa, buried in Tobruk.

Seems not.......
Probably his body was traslated by family to the Riensberg Cemetary in his home town or maybe it has simply written on the gravestone as memento.

[Tora_Tora_Tora!]

Very somber to see how many members of this Family were KIA.

[Bob Lyons]

Seems not.......
Probably his body was traslated by family to the Riensberg Cemetary in his home town or maybe it has simply written on the gravestone as memento.

Great find TTT , and thanks heaps for adding it. My guess (and only a guess) is that he is still buried in north Africa, and is commemorated on the headstone of the family plot in Riensberg cemetery.

Cheers, and thanks again for adding that very poignant addition.

Best wishes,

Bob

[Tora_Tora_Tora!]

Great find TTT , and thanks heaps for adding it. My guess (and only a guess) is that he is still buried in north Africa, and is commemorated on the headstone of the family plot in Riensberg cemetery.

Cheers, and thanks again for adding that very poignant addition.

Best wishes,

Bob

You're welcome Bob! Thanks to you and Leroy for posting so nice lot!
I agree, probably the name is written on the stone just as memento and the body still lies in Tobruk.

[Asbjoern]

A bit of a German "Privat Rian" Story ... four brothers out of which only one - most possibele the youngest (as he is last in line on the death note of his brother) - survived.

Jens

[Bob Lyons]

Leutnant Günther Becker-Glauch appears to have been killed during Operation Crusader in November 1941. (He was killed on the 28th of November)

"On the night of 27 November Rommel had discussed with Cruewell plans for the next day indicating that his priority was to cut the Tobruk corridor and destroy the enemy forces fighting there. Cruewell, however, was concerned by the threat of the 7th Armoured Division tanks to the south and felt this needed attention first. 15th Panzer spent most of 28 November once more engaged with 4th and 22nd Armoured, and dealing with supply problems. Despite being outnumbered by two to one in tanks and at times immobile because of lack of fuel, 15th Panzer succeeded in pushing the British tank force back southwards while itself moving west."

Bob