Sterbebilder, Remembrance Card, Gefr. Marzell Koppreitter, 'Malgré-nous', Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 138, Heer, 1943

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 Gefreiter Marzell Koppreitter, born on October 30, 1922 and serving in the Heer, who died on July 28, 1943 in Stalino, now Donestk, present-day Ukraine. The reverse is adorned with a holy picture showing Saint George slaying the dragon.

Marzell (Marcel) Koppreitter was born in Bantzenheim, Haut-Rhin département, France. Forcibly enlisted in the Wehrmacht following the German annexion of Alsace in 1940, he went on to serve with 11. Kompanie of Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 138. He died of wounds in a field hospital.

https://memoires.grandest.fr/frontoffice/occidentales/DetailFiche.aspx?num=3335&from=recherche

https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Gebirgsjagerregimenter/GJR138-R.htm

Very good overall condition.

Format: 2.75in x 4.33in.

Illustration documents available in digital format only.