Sterbebilder - Fritz Landerer

Since blogger does not like my scans, you can find the pictures of Fritz Landerer's Sterbebilder by following this link to my Tumblr account, The Lost Colonist.

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My find from World War II Weekend was the interesting discovery of German “Death Cards”. They are also known to many other nations as “memorial cards” (i.e. cards of a religious nature given to family and friends attending a viewing or a funeral service) and in the Germanic language as “Sterbebilder.”

These cards served as mementos for family and friends of deceased soldiers. The cards, which were less that the size of average photo paper, have a picture of the deceased along with information on his rank, when he died, and where he died. Sometimes, however, that information was omitted in case enemies used these cards (which were produced in mass quantity) to calculate German movement and losses. On the other side of a card would have a picture of the gravesite and/or a religious picture with a small message.

Even though these messages contained on the cards were religious they could have political messages subtly hidden. (In the case of the one I obtained.) However, it is most important to remember that these cards were not created by the military. Memorial cards have always been a tradition and were not used or issued by the military.

German:

“Nach Gottes heiligem Willen ruht fern von seinen Lieben mein innigstgeliebter Mann, der beste Vati seines Kindes, unser lieber einziger Sohn, Bruder, Schwieger-Sohn, Schwager, Enkel, und Date.”

English:

“To/For God’s holy will [that] rests far from his love my most intimate lover/husband, the best father of his children, our dear son, brother, son in law, brother-in-law, grandson, and godfather.”

German:

“Fritz Landerer. Oberwachtmeister in einem Art. Regt. Inhaber des Eisernen Kreuzes 1.  u. 2. Kl., der Ofsmedaille und anderer Auszeichnungen geboren am 6. März 1915 in Markt Rettenbach gefallen am 16. Juli 1944 bei Balninkai (Ruβland).”

English:

“Fritz Landerer. Staff Sergeant in an Artillery Regiment. Recipient of Iron Crosses 1^st and 2^nd class., the East Medal [Eastern Front/Russian Front Medal] and other awards born on the 6^th of March 1915 in Markt Rettenbach [municipality in Bavaria, Germany], killed in action on the 16^th of July 1944 at Balninkai (Russia) [actually in Lithuania].

German:

“O Gattin, Eltern and Geschwister mein,

Ich kehre nicht mehr zu Euch heim.

Mein Gedanke und mein Blick,

Wie oft ging er zu Euch zurück.

Und als ich starb in feindesland,

Da reichte niemand mir die Hand,

Mein brechend Auge blickt nach oben,

Ich hoff’, der Himmel steht mire offen.

Du gutes Herz ruh’ still in frieden,

Ewig beweint von deinen Liben.

Auf Wiederseh’n, dein letztes Wort,

Auf Widerseh’n, im Himmel dort.”

English:

“O wife, parents and siblings of mine,

I return home no more to you.

My thoughts and my gaze,

How often it went back to you.

And as I died in enemy territory,

There no one shook hands with me.

My broken eyes look upward,

I hope, the heavens stay open for me.

Your good hearts rest quietly in peace,

Eternally mourning your love.

Good bye, your last word,

Good bye, in heaven there.”

Front of the card under Picture

German: Bete für mich, ich starb auch für dich!

English: Pray for me, I also died for you!