It is with great difficulty and sadness that i say this..
My Grandfather, Raymond passed away yesterday at the age of 96. May the memory of his deeds out live us all.
As long as people keep thinking about him, he will live on.
And another aspect about the war:
My grandmothers brother
My grandma told me that he volunteered when he turned 17, in november 1944. She said that he was proud of wearing a nice uniform and serving his country like everybody else.
His last letter to his family is from the Königsberg area (today Kaliningrad) in eastern prussia, send in January 1945, telling that they would be evacuated by ship back to Germany soon.
This was the last sign of life from him.
After the war my grandma contacted the red cross and other organizations and recieved a letter from the red cross in 1972.
It states that Kilian Riegler, Feldersatz-Batallion of the 5. Panzer-Division, is missing since january 1945.
Attached is a long text explaining the situation on the front where those troops were deployed:
On the third january the russians attacked them at Goldap. On the 13th they lost Schloßberg and retreated to Insterburg. On the 21st the russians advanced to Pomnau and crossed the Alle. Next day they started to advanced towards Königsberg. After heavy fighting in the area south east of Königsberg, near Gutenwalde and Ludwigswalde, the defense collapsed on the 29th. Only a few scattered Kampfgruppen stayed, to secure the retreat for the remaining troops.
Since those fightings many soldiers of the 5 Panzer Division were missing. Overrun by the enemy, there were simply often no survivors to tell what had happened. Many died fighting in the lake and forrest rich area or during house to house fighting, unseen by their comrades. Even first aid places and hospitals got caught in the attacks by planes, artillery and tanks.
There is no hint that he went to captivity, nor was he seen in any prison camp. This leads to the conclusion that he must have fallen.
My grandma said he was always such a happy character being liked by everyone and it was very sad to lose her younger brother.
He might have thought that all future generations of germans would thank him for his courage. But I think it was just wasted. Sad indeed..