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View Full Version : My one and only Death card - Somewhat researched


Santi
19th July 2008, 20:26
For those who dont speak german, like me...the death card says this:

In memory

to our unique and unforgettable

Alois Rebhandl

Corporal, infantry regiment (Son of the Hirsl-landery in Pichl near Windischgarten)

who on the 9th of June 1940 whilst 26 years of age found the hero's death in Neufchatel for leader and country, north of Reims, during the fights over the Aisne crossings.

Germany must live, even when we have to perish.

printing B. Langhammer in Linz

Some information about the soldier...


Acording to the Volksbund (german):

Nachname: Rebhandl
Vorname: Alois
Dienstgrad: Gefreiter
Geburtsdatum: 18.05.1915
Geburtsort: Pichl
Todes-/Vermisstendatum: 09.06.1940
Todesort: Neufchatel

Alois Rebhandl ruht auf der Kriegsgräberstätte in Fort-de-Malmaison (Frankreich) .
Endgrablage: Block 5 Reihe 10 Grab 417


Acording to the Volksbund (english):

Surname: Rebhandl
First name: Alois
Rank: Private first class
Date of birth: 18.05.1915
Place of birth: Pichl
Death/missing date: 09.06.1940
Death place: Neufchatel

Alois Rebhandl rests on the war grave place in Fort-de-Malmaison (France).
Final grave situation: Block 5 row 10 grave 417

The "research":

Ive tried googling and i came across with some things...
I think i found a relative of the soldier. Ive searched for the surname of the soldier and town where he was born, Pichl. And found a guy with the same surname and from same town!
This guy (the one i think its a relative of my soldier) owns a local transportation business: rebhandl.com (i dont want to put the click-link to it just in case, if you want to check it out, type it in your browser)

The thing is that, i mailed them some months ago, i wrote a formal e-mail in english asking if i could contact the possible relative and ask him more about my soldier, but i had no response. :(

MRomanych
20th July 2008, 00:46
Santi:

I really enjoyed your post about the Death Card. I think what you wrote is a great example of research that most anyone can do using the Internet; if they know a few simple techniques. Very nice.

I am thinking that with a bit more research, you could find the corps and maybe the division to which the soldier was assigned. Neufchatel was attacked and taken by either the 34. or 45. ID of the XXVI Armee Korps (Heeresgruppe A, 2nd Panzerarmee). Some more research could make that certain.

Santi
20th July 2008, 00:57
Marc,
Thanks for your kind words and information! :)

RaymondG
20th July 2008, 04:43
Hi Santi

Excellent research and a great example of why researching a piece is always worthwhile

Raymond

Santi
2nd August 2008, 12:04
I would like to thank M Romanych for giving the english version of the email to his german friend (Martin) to translate it, who kindly did it for me in order to send it and hope they now reply me since its in their language. Thanks again to both for the quick help!!

I will keep you guys in touch with any news if they reply.

lee-clark
2nd August 2008, 17:05
Good job Santi, keep it up!