Sterbebilder, Remembrance Card, MU. Obgfr. Johann Heinzl, Marine-Artillerie-Abteilung 612, Kriegsmarine, 1944

Rare genuine WWII German remembrance card, of the Sterbebilder type.

The tradition of editing a 'death card' in memory of a serviceman who gave his life for his country dates back to the Great War; just a few dozen of copies were generally printed by the family, being intended for relatives and close friends of the deceased only. Most remembrance cards feature a portrait and a prayer, or any other type of religous or patriotic reference.

Apart from the latter's name and age, the document indicates his branch of service as well as the date of his death and the area where the action took place. For security reasons, the unit and exact location were rarely disclosed. 

The present card is dedicated to the memory of some Matrosen-usw. Obergefreiter Johann Heinzl, serving in the Kriegsmarine, who died in a mine explosion on June 15, 1944 in Dalmatia, on the Adriatic Coast, at 22 years of age.

Johann Heinzl was born on February 9, 1923 in Kriegswald, Upper Austria and went on to serve with Marine-Artillerie-Abteilung 612. He passed away in Prvic, present-day Croatia.

https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/MarineArtAbt/MarineArtAbt612-R.htm

Very good overall condition.

Format: 2.67in x 4.33in.

Illustration document available in digital format only.