Dog Tag, French, Hubert Zerr, 'Malgré-nous', KIA, July 2, 1944, Minsk

Nice genuine interwar French identity disc, which belonged to Hubert Zerr, inducted in 1933, service number 1787, Sélestat military district, Bas-Rhin département. 

Good overall condition; retains its original chain bracelet (clasp in working order).

Hubert Zerr was born on August 3, 1913 in Dangolsheim, Bas-Rhin département, which was then part of German-annexed Alsace. Considering that the latter had become French again in 1918, he performed his compulsory military service in France in 1933-1934, wearing the present bracelet for the period.

Forcibly enlisted in the Wehrmacht following the German re-annexion of Alsace in 1940, he was killed in action on July 2, 1944 near Minsk, persent-day Belarus, during Operation Bagration. Although his name can be seen on the family tombstone in Rouffach, Haut-Rhin département, it seems that his body was never found.

Contrary to the French volunteers of the LVF and the Waffen-ᛋᛋ, the "Malgré-nous" (citizens of Alsace and Lorraine forced to serve the Reich) who were killed under the German colors were later awarded the "Mort pour la France" mention (see picture of the grave).

https://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr:443/ark:40699/m005e440b1370d0d.moteur=arko_default_66fa612acbc0d

https://memoires.grandest.fr/frontoffice/occidentales/DetailFiche.aspx?num=22295&from=recherche

https://www.webcimetiere.fr/68/Rouffach/recherche/detail/139332!ZERR!1!C.NomUsage+

Illustration documents available in digital format only.