Original WWII German Wehrmacht Officer Death/Burial Map & Death Notice – Red Cross Letter from Gulag – Leutnant Walter Heyl – Schützen Regiment 73 – 19 Panzer Division – Iron Cross Posthumus – Fully Translated – Very Rare

Description

Here we have something quite rare and unique.

The Death Notice and Map of where he died and was buried created by the Wehrmacht and sent to the family.

Interestingly, his Award Document for the Panzer Assault Badge was sold here: https://www.lakesidetrader.com/item.php?ID=20437

He is not listed on the German Website for War Dead.

Translation – Death Notice 

Russia, 9 March 1942

Dear Mrs. Heyl,

When you receive this letter, I ask you to hold yourself very firm and stay strong. Your son, my Lieutenant Heyl (Walter), was severely wounded on 28 February 1942, around 16:00 hours, by a headshot during the heroic defense of the village of Medwenke, while serving as platoon leader of Company S.R.73. According to the medical company 2/19, he was treated at the main dressing station in Miljatino and passed away on 2 March 1942 at 4:45 without regaining consciousness.

The circumstances of his heroic death are as follows: Since 23 February, my battalion has been in the focal point of Russian attacks on the Roslavl–Juchnow railway and had to defend several villages, including Medwenke. Since 26 February, the Russians attacked Medwenke incessantly with infantry and heavy tanks and sought to unite all their forces there. Your son immediately took over command of the 7th Company upon his arrival at the battalion and led it from then on, defending the village of Medwenke. Under his dutiful and reliable leadership, all attacks broke down, and the number of dead Russians grew ever greater in front of our defensive line.

The Russians then dug themselves in and began concentrated infantry fire. A shell struck him. He was immediately unconscious; under no circumstances could he have suffered pain. Shortly after he was wounded, I myself went to Medwenke, as the situation was critical (another company commander had just fallen), to check on matters. I found him lying unconscious, protected by a snow wall. He did not recognize me. I immediately ordered his evacuation. The attached document gives further details about his death.

Dear Mrs. Heyl! I know it is pointless to try to comfort you. I only wish to say this: that your deep pain is bound together with pride for your son, who fell as a hero. The Iron Cross Second Class, which he had earned, will undoubtedly be awarded to him posthumously — may it be for you a token of his bravery and self-sacrifice.

My officer corps and I valued him highly for his modest, kind, and trustworthy character. I too have lost much. Please accept, as his mother, my deepest sympathy.

With most respectful regards,
Your very devoted
[signed] Bruns
Commander II/S.R.73

Translation – HV1440 

Red Cross Letter sent from Soviet Gulag by Walther Brother to his mother.

22 January 1948, Nr. 32

Mother! Dear ones at home!

Since confirming my card 23, I have had no message from you! Now Christmas is approaching — it will be the saddest of my life. My 51st birthday again marked by separation for the 10th time! Bitter facts for us all. We can only cling to anxious hope in our thoughts, but only actual events can convince us.

On 16 January, I had a strong inflammation on my right thumb operated on; it went well. The medical care is excellent and must be especially praised.

How are the parents? Today, many motherly admonitions from my youth come back as true words of remembrance. Birthday greetings have arrived. Hopefully, fate will grant me the time to be with you again. Letters may still be permitted for you. If so, I will write more extensively to you.

Quiet and lonely it is here around me. In my thoughts, I am gratefully with our cheerful family days again; father is no longer there. The harshness of fate struck us mercilessly — there is no solution. Learn to hate war!

This realization must be a reminder for our political thinking and actions.

Stay healthy and study diligently. Warm greetings to Gretchen, parents, Anna, and you, dear Mother.

Yours,
Kurt