Article about: That depends really Dagon, i can read the printed words on the death cards but actual handwritting can be a totally different matter, it can be quite difficult sometimes but i could try
Josef Wenger wurde noch nicht auf einen vom Volksbund errichteten Soldatenfriedhof überführt.
Nach den uns vorliegenden Informationen befindet sich sein Grab derzeit noch an folgendem Ort: Kragujevac - Serbien
He had to have been a member of the 717. Infanterie-Division as that was the unit occupying Kragujevac at the time.
He had to have been a member of the 717. Infanterie-Division as that was the unit occupying Kragujevac at the time.
The memorial card says he was a member of a Jagdkommando unit rather than an infantry division/regiment. I can't find any Jagdkommando that was formed at the time of his death though so possibly an ad-hoc one.
Religious remembrance in prayers to our dear, eldest son & wife. Brother Josef Flofzmann Holztechniker NCO in a Geb.-Jg.-Rgt. Owner of the E K II, the Infantryman Insignia and the East Medal
who on 10 March 1943 Abinskaya, east of Novorosisk, by a grenade hit at the age of 23 years heroic death.
If anyone can confirm it does or not would be great help. And if anyone has any information about his unit etc, would be most grateful. I have seen a few but this was only one that mentioned how he died, how common is how they died?
Religious remembrance in prayers to our dear, eldest son & wife. Brother Josef Flofzmann Holztechniker NCO in a Geb.-Jg.-Rgt. Owner of the E K II, the Infantryman Insignia and the East Medal
who on 10 March 1943 Abinskaya, east of Novorosisk, by a grenade hit at the age of 23 years heroic death.
It says:
"Pious memory in prayer
of our dear eldest son and brother
Josef Floßmann
wood technician
NCO in a mountain infantry regiment
holder of the Iron Cross 2nd Class, the Infantry Assault Badge and the Eastern Campaign Medal
who at 23 years of age met with a hero's death by a direct artillery hit on 10th March 1943 outside Abinskay, east of Noworosisk."
Josef Floßmann was born on 15 October 1919 in Bichl. His rank at the time of death was Oberjäger, which was traditionally used in Gebirgsjäger- (mountain infantry) and Jäger- (light infantry) units instead of the usual Unteroffizier.
He died 1 kilometer east of Abinskaja. Josef's mortal remains have not been positively identified, but he probably lies buried as an unknown soldier on the Krasnodar-Apscheronsk military cemetery in Russia where the recovered remains of the fallen from the original burial site have been transferred.
(Additional information according to the online database of the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge [German War Graves Commission].)
Here’s a basic outlook on the actions that likely led to his death on the first day of the Ardennes offensive:
Jakob was likely part of HQ company in 989 grenadier regiment (277 VGD) in the Hollerath area. He and the 277. Volksgrenadier Division had moved up to the Hollerath area along the Westwall bunkers and dragons teeth and were readying to attack the following morning for the famed Ardennes offensive (Bulge).
Jakob’s regiment was tasked to attack from Hollerath, across the woods of Jansbach to the roads leading to the village of Rocerrath, where the US 99. Infantry Division (393rd rgt) was stationed in the area, deep in the forest. Their objective was to clear out the GIs so that the Panzer Troops could advance.
Launching their offensive early morning while it was still pretty dark, The initial attack caught the US 393rd off guard and Jakob’s unit penetrated their lines in the forest (some excellent stories from US 99 vets of this). However the neighboring grenadiers attacks came to a standstill.
In the course of the day, Jakobs unit succeeded, after heavy and costly combat in the woods, in pushing forward up to the Jans Stream, where the US troops resistance increased considerably. The US troops took the chance to respond with an artillery box barrage that they laid on the westwall
Line and forest. The day went on with heavy close combat with many losses from both sides. A veteran of the 277 said that most of the officers and non-coms were killed early on in the initial attack, causing even more confusion.
The StuG’s That were promised for backup had failed to arrive on time to continue any momentum that Jakob’s unit provided, but elements of the 12 SS HitlerJugend Division were able to give aid and finally reach the edge of the forest on Dec 17, to help push the US 99 ID troops to the well known Elsenborne Ridge, where vicious close combat ensued.
by hucks216
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