Figure 1.-- Here we see a 1942 death card for 20 year old Ludwig Pichler von Egglkofen. He was killed by mounted Cossak calvlry (August 2, 1942). This was part of Operation Blue. Hitler made the disaterous mistake of spliting his forces. The southr pfong went south toward the oil fields of the cossocks. The Sixth Army went west into Stalingrad. Notice that by 1942 Germby was already relying on the younger men from its draft pool. By 1942 the war was coming home to Germany. Not only huge batlefied casualties, but the Allies now had long-range heavy bombers that were beginnking to do real damafe to Grrmany's industrial cities. Given the wording on the card, this family appears to have approved of the Ostkrieg even though Ludwig is the scond son they lost. This was a double card. Click on the image for the other card and more informatiion about Pichler. L

The parents or wives of German military service members who died in the War printed death cards (Sterbebilder). This was also the case in World War I. But until the final months of the war when everything falling apart they the loved ones prited these death cards with some basic information. We had thought these cards were sent by the military to loved ones. This was not the case. These cards were ordered by loved ones, usully parents, and printed privately. The cards varied over time. We see double page single sided card measures about 6 x 4.25 inches. Some were smaller, more like CDVs, 2.5 x 4.5 inches. The back of some cards has a cross. The size was the same as a standard cabinet cards. We also see single page, two sided cards. We also see single sided card. Some of the cards have informtion about thev inividualn campaigns and awards. They might include a German graves registration. The cards had some standard text, but each had to be preparedc specificlly for the individul. All three servoces (Heer, Luftwaffe, and Kriegsmarine) used similar cards. They inclded some images, including a photograph of the uniformed cadsualty or perhaps a drawing and a cross or dignified field grave complete with flowers. Some of the cards have information about combat operations in some cases related to war crimes which show how the Gernman knew note about what was going in in the East then they admitted to after the War. Some have made up text from the soldier and or his family. These death cards vary in one important aspect. Some are very patriotic and supportive of the NAZI cause. They might have military imagery such as helmets, medals, and even swastikas. The ones with swasticas seem rather rare today. We suspect many of these were destroyed after the War because they ciuld prove NAZI symphathies. Most of what we see are devoid of NAZI omagery, although this can be picked up in the text. Since these cards were not issued by the NAZI government-- they were privately purchased by the family. Meaning the text on the card is written by the family. A reader can often get some idea as the the family's opinion toward the War and they viewed the loss of their loved ones. Of ciourse there would not be any anti-war opinion--tht woulld get you arrested. But there are different degresses of suport for the war. The card here is one such example (figure 1). We note some of the same repeated prayers and verbiage likely the printers as standard options. These cards were customized for each lost soldier, airman, or soldier. While we do not see a lot of NAZI imagery, we do see Christian religious iconography and prayers. While each card was customized to the lost fighterr, there are some repeated prayers and verbiage seen on the cards, presumably offered by the printer as a standard options. As a result, these cards are fascinating historical documents. Whole books have been written about them.

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Created: 11:54 AM 3/8/2024
Last updated: 11:54 AM 3/8/2024