WW2 German Death Card of Kriegsmarine Sailor Franz Ackerl.

[Heartfeltzero]

Franz was born on May 24th 1924 in Steyr-Christkindl. During the war he served as a Sailor in the Kriegsmarine. He was the recipient of the minesweeping and Destroyer badges. On September 4th 1944, Franz was docked in the harbor at Genua in Italy when he was killed in an air raid. He was 20.

Details about the raid:

“144 Boeing B–17 Flying Fortress bombers of the 15th Air Force carried out a heavy air raid on the harbour. Several ships were sunk, including the German destroyer TA 33, former Italian Squadrista; the torpedo boat TA 28, former Italian Rigel; the submarines Aradam, UIT 5, UIT 6, and UIT 20, former Italian Sparide, Murena, and Grongo; the submarine chaser CS 11, the tug boats Capodistria, Tiravanti, Taormina and Senigallia; the minelayer Vallelunga; the corvette UJ 6085, former Italian Renna; the German military transports KT 14, KT 16, KT 19, KT 20, KT 43, KT 44, KT 45, and KT 46). Many bombs also fell on the city, causing heavy damage (among other buildings, the already damaged Teatro Carlo Felice was largely destroyed) and hundreds of victims (over three hundred, according to some sources): in the Grazie air raid shelter alone, 143 people were killed by a direct hit.”

I’m unsure which vessel Franz was a crewman of. This specific Death Card was sent in the mail as a funeral invitation, hence the stamp and name/address on the back.

[Willmore]

Hi JB.

Really interesting example, thank you for sharing it with us. I did have a look for a casualty card but couldn't find one unfortunately.

Kind regards,

Will.

[Heartfeltzero]

Hi Will!

And thank you anyway! I always appreciate your help!

Good day!,

JB