Death card

[makarov9mill]

Hi Gents,
Couple of pics of my death card,
I have researched this card and I feel these just bring home the reality of these things we collect from this period of history.
Real people dying for whatever cause and missed by family.
Sometimes makes me view my small collection in a different perspective.
Thanks for looking.
Regards
Grant

[Willmore]

Hello Grant.

This is a very interesting death card. Franz was born in Montana, USA.

Name: Franz Stuhlreiter
Rank: Stabsgefreiter
Birth Date: 25 December 1915
Birth Place: Lippÿ Montana USA (I think this should be Libby)
Military Unit: 1./Batterie Artillerie Regiment 43
Death Date: 9 March 1943
Death Place: Panfilowo

Franz Stuhlreiter has not yet been transferred to a military cemetery set up by the Volksbund. According to the information available to us, his grave is currently in the following place: Pokrow / Wjasma - Russland

He passed away at the H.V.PL (Hauptverbandplatz) = Main dressing station under the care of Sanitats-Kompanie 1/7.

His cause of death is noted as -

Schwer verwundet: Stich mit russen Seitengewehr, bauch. Verstorben am 10.3.43
Seriously wounded: stabbed with a Russian bayonet, belly. Died on 10.3.43.

His Regiment was part of the 7. Infanterie Division -

7.Infanterie-Division - Feldgrau

Kind regards,

Will.

[BlackCat1982]

Quite agree Grant, this is why there are many of us here who feel such items are as important, if not more so to remind us of the history behind the items we collect. The information on the casualty card spells it out loud and clear.

[makarov9mill]

I have sat here thinking how to respond to your fantastic post Will but I am a bit gobsmacked by the information you have given me .
An American born german soldier passed away by being stabbed by a Russian, and the original paperwork you have posted have really bought home the realities of war time deaths.
I will try to copy the the files you have posted and print them out and put them next to his card. Many thanks for information on this poor soul. I won't look at the framed card in the same way knowing how he passed.
Best regards
Grant.

[Willmore]

Speaking of his family, the first two are Franz' parents.

Johann Baptiste Stuhlreiter (1879–1920)
BIRTH 1879 • Griesstätt, Rosenheim, Bayern, Deutschland
DEATH 21.12.1920 • Traunstein, Traunstein, Bayern, Deutschland

Thekla Schmid (1885–1979) memorial card at the bottom
BIRTH 20.9.1885 • Kammer, Traunstein, Bayern, Deutschland
DEATH 11.07.1979 • Kammer, Traunstein, Bayern, Deutschland

They were married on the 6th of February 1916 in Lincoln, Montana, USA

It looks like his parents emigrated at some point to the USA, but went back to Germany between 1917 and 1920. I wonder if his father wanted to return to Germany to fight in WW1, or the family feared anti German sentiment because of the war in Europe.

German Americans - Wikipedia


It looks like Franz had four siblings.

Johann Georg Stuhlreiter Kriegenhofer (1913–1982)
02 May 1913 • Libby, Lincoln, Montana, USA

Elisabeth Stuhlreiter (1914–2002)
26 Jun 1914 • Libby, Lincoln, Montana, USA

Thekla Stuhlreiter (1917 - 1917)
15 Jul 1917 • Libby, Lincoln, Montana, USA
Unfortunately she was stillborn

Agnes Stuhlreiter (1921–2006)
BIRTH CIRCA 1921 • Kammer, Traunstein, Bayern, Deutschland
DEATH 22.7.2006 • Vachendorf, Traunstein, Bayern, Deutschland

I found this information, picture of Franz and his mothers memorial card via ancestry.

[Willmore]

No worries Grant, I am happy to help.

I totally agree with what you say too and how shocking the reality can be.

Kind regards,

Will.

[makarov9mill]

Hi Will,
Again thank you for the extra information I didn't expect to get the family tree on this card.
Amazing to see and appreciate the time you took to research it.
The feedback we get on this forum is brilliant and I am happy to have joined it,
Cheers,
Grant