WWII German Three Brothers Grouping – Clemens, Kunibert and Anton Ertz – Waffen SS KIA in Caen, Normandy – Panzer Recon Der Windhund – Panzer A.A 116 – Soldbuch Urkunden Iron Cross Signatures – Rare Grouping

Description

An incredible lot to three brothers:

Stabsgefreiter Clements Ertz  (Panzer Recon 116 – Der Windhund)

Born in 1916, he would fight in the Machine Gun Section, of the Krad Schutzen Batl 165 – Fighting in Russia. Unit was equipped with Motor Bikes and Sidecars.

Later moved into the Heavy Company Panzer Recon 116 (schw.Kp/ Panzeraufklärungsabt 116) (Windhund)

He was issued with a MP40, and won the following awards as per the Soldbuch:

1. West Wall Medal 1940 – With Certificate
2. War Merit Cross With Swords – August 1941 – Signed by Generalmajor Generalleutnant Johannes Streich (Knights Cross)  Commander of the 16th Infanterie Division
3. Eastern Front Medal – Panzer Recon Abt 116 – Signed by Abt Leader .
4. Iron Cross Second Class – August 1943 – Signed by Generallt Gerhard Helmut Detleff Graf von Schwerin (23 June 1899 – 29 October 1980) was a German General der Panzertruppe during World War II (Knights Cross Oak & Swords)
5. Drivers Badge – Panzer recon 116 – All three grades till Gold

It seems he fought with them till around late in 1943, note the Soldbuch photo in the Panzer or StuG Wrap as collectors call them where he falls ill, this means he is moving in and out of service. The Windhund have an amazing Battle History and were one of the most interesting Heer Units fighting on both fronts. Comes with his RAD Paper and the POW release Paper. Interestingly he used this as evidence for his War Pension in 1954.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/116th_Panzer_Division_(Wehrmacht)

Next Brother :

SS Sturmmann Anton Ertz – Waffen SS – Likely with the Hitlerjugend KIA in Caen on the 19th of July 1944 – he was buried in St honovine, but was called according to the archives in Germany as killed in : Amaye near Caen and is buried today in La Cambe. According to his death Card, he was a Messanger on a Motorbike and was awarded the Assault Badge. He was 18 years old when he was killed in action.

Next Brother:

Kunibert Erz – He served with the Recon Abteilung 120 (A.A 120) fighting in Russia, he was awarded the following awards:

1. War Merit Cross – A.A 120 – 1942 – Signed 112 Infanterie Division Commander – Generallt  Friedrich Mieth (4 June 1888 – 2 September 1944) was a German general during World War II. In 1942, he commanded Army Group Don Rear Area.[1] Mieth was killed in action on 2 September 1944 in Iași, Romania. Knights Cross Oak & Swords) KIA Rare signature.
2. Eastern Front Medal – A.A 120 – Signed by Hauptmann and Regiment Commander of the Grenadier regiment 258
3. Drivers Badge in Bronze (Soldbuch Insert) and Drivers badge in Gold – Grenadier Regiment 258
4. Wounds Badge in Black – Grenadier regiment 258 – Signed Oberst and regimental Commander
5. Iron Cross Second Calss – August 1943 – Grenadier Regiment 258 – Signed by an Oberst .

It seems that Kunnibert went missing in January 1945 in the East of Germany and he was never found.

Last Comments

Quite the story of a sad reality, From the Three Brothers only one made it home. A rare grouping touching both the Western and Eastern Front and some of the most formidable battles in Normandy.