Death notifications in Nazi Germany

Discussions on every day life in the Weimar Republic, pre-anschluss Austria, Third Reich and the occupied territories. Hosted by Vikki.
Post Reply
BeeWac
Member
Posts: 11
Joined: 15 Nov 2017, 18:22
Location: USA

Death notifications in Nazi Germany

#1

Post by BeeWac » 17 Nov 2018, 08:01

When killed soldiers were identified, how were families notified? Letters? Messengers?

User avatar
hucks216
Member
Posts: 1939
Joined: 20 Jan 2007, 23:49
Location: England

Re: Death notifications in Nazi Germany

#2

Post by hucks216 » 17 Nov 2018, 13:32

I'm pretty sure there is a thread here that answers that question but I can't find it at the moment. I seem to recall it is a medical related thread. I think the answer was that the first the family knew was when they received a letter from the Company Commander.


User avatar
hucks216
Member
Posts: 1939
Joined: 20 Jan 2007, 23:49
Location: England

Re: Death notifications in Nazi Germany

#3

Post by hucks216 » 17 Nov 2018, 13:35

Ok, found it - it was a Death Card question and not medical. No wonder I couldn't find it.

The thread - viewtopic.php?f=76&t=228898&p=2081663&h ... r#p2081288

User avatar
Helmut0815
Member
Posts: 919
Joined: 19 Sep 2010, 14:13
Location: Lower Saxony, Germany

Re: Death notifications in Nazi Germany

#4

Post by Helmut0815 » 17 Nov 2018, 15:11

hucks216 wrote:
17 Nov 2018, 13:32
I think the answer was that the first the family knew was when they received a letter from the Company Commander.
By order of Adolf Hitler from June 1942 the death notification of a soldier KIA had to be delivered face-to-face by an official NSDAP representative, normally the local party leader (Ortsgruppenleiter) or his deputy. Notifications about a soldier MIA generally came by postal letter.

See http://www.haller-zeitraeume.de/exponat ... achrichten (article in german language)


regards


Helmut

Steve E
Member
Posts: 175
Joined: 27 Nov 2006, 21:39
Location: Australia
Contact:

Re: Death notifications in Nazi Germany

#5

Post by Steve E » 18 Nov 2018, 13:05

My father lost his life on the 14/09/1943 in the fighting for Oposhnja, Ukraine.
The first inkling came when my mothers letters were returned with the remark: Returned, recipient died for Greater Germany.
Next we received two letters, one from my fathers Company Commander with a generalized description of the event and a copy of the same letter with a note of the correctness of said letter from the Mayor of our city.
The letter from the Company was dated 17/09/1943 and the one from the Mayor 19/10/1943. I think the letter from the Company arrived first but I am not certain.
Regards Steve.

User avatar
hucks216
Member
Posts: 1939
Joined: 20 Jan 2007, 23:49
Location: England

Re: Death notifications in Nazi Germany

#6

Post by hucks216 » 18 Nov 2018, 13:28

Steve E wrote:
18 Nov 2018, 13:05
My father lost his life on the 14/09/1943 in the fighting for Oposhnja, Ukraine.
The first inkling came when my mothers letters were returned with the remark: Returned, recipient died for Greater Germany.
Next we received two letters, one from my fathers Company Commander with a generalized description of the event and a copy of the same letter with a note of the correctness of said letter from the Mayor of our city.
The letter from the Company was dated 17/09/1943 and the one from the Mayor 19/10/1943. I think the letter from the Company arrived first but I am not certain.
Regards Steve.
It is good to see the regulations and how things were meant to work but hearing how things actually worked in real life, such as this, are vital for our understanding.

Steve E
Member
Posts: 175
Joined: 27 Nov 2006, 21:39
Location: Australia
Contact:

Re: Death notifications in Nazi Germany

#7

Post by Steve E » 24 Nov 2018, 08:53

Hi BeeWac, did you receive the PM I sent you ?
Regards Steve.

BeeWac
Member
Posts: 11
Joined: 15 Nov 2017, 18:22
Location: USA

Re: Death notifications in Nazi Germany

#8

Post by BeeWac » 24 Nov 2018, 18:06

Steve E wrote:
24 Nov 2018, 08:53
Hi BeeWac, did you receive the PM I sent you ?
Regards Steve.
Yes sir, apologies for not replying, it is fascinating and so mystifying to hear it from you. Looking forward to your book,

- B

Post Reply

Return to “Life in the Third Reich & Weimar Republic”