German Verlustlisten

[Ralph J. Whitehead]

I had a look at one of the 1919 German Verlustlisten that contained what I had expected, the later lists of casualties from the last period of the war.

What I did not expect were the lists of returning prisoners, the lists of missing men and additional details, and in some lists personal effects and photos.

Some examples:

Reserve Feld Artillerie Regiment Nr. 29: 1st Batterie, Unteroffizier Leichle, Wilhelm, born 14 october 1881 from Diedelsheim, Bretten. Missing in action 1 July 1916 at Contalmaison, person seeking information: Frau Hauptlehrer Scherer, Karlsruhe, Winterstr. 52 II.

Reserve Jäger Battalion Nr. 8, 2nd Company. Becker, Friedrich, born 12 october 1891 Neunkirchen, Ottweiler. Missing in action 28 September 1914 at Fricourt. person seeking information: Karl Becker, Neunkirchen, Saar, Spieserstr. 17.

Kirchhöfer, Josef, 11th Company, born 29 November 1889 Tairnbach. PoW 1 July 1916 at Thiepval, now in OOftersheim, Baden. (September 1919.

The photos apparently were found on bodies of men who had no other identification and they were hoping someone might recognize them. The same for the personal effects, inscriptions on rings and other items found on unidentified bodies.

I am off to look at a few more if possible to see what else they might contain.

Ralph

[toofatfortakeoff]

Hi is this list generally available to purchase?

[Ralph J. Whitehead]

Paper copies are difficult to find. I have relied upon microfilm copies purchased from various libraries including the Library of Congress. Each reel can be pricey, about $60 each with approximately 29 reels covering the war.

You will need to have a specific date and unit you are looking for unless you want to purchase every copy. THe lists are about 4-8 weeks or more behind the actual casualties. They exist by region with a Prussian, Bavarian, Saxon and Württemberg lists as well as Marine casualties. The regiments reported are placed in numeric order without any real format other than whatever casualties were reported for the period in question. Please let me know if you have any questions on the lists and I will see what I can provide.

Ralph

[CROONAERT]

Ralph.

You don't happen to have access to the list that contains the casualties of JR364 at the end of Oct.1916 do you?

Dave.

[Ralph J. Whitehead]

Hello Dave,

I do have this list as well as all 29 reels covering 1914-1919. Is there a particular person you are looking for? Or a general list of losses?

You must keep in mind that the losses were not posted until 4-8 weeks after they occurred, sometimes shorter, sometimes longer. Give me as much detail as possible and I will look for the information.

Ralph

[CROONAERT]

Hello Dave,

I do have this list as well as all 29 reels covering 1914-1919. Is there a particular person you are looking for? Or a general list of losses?

You must keep in mind that the losses were not posted until 4-8 weeks after they occurred, sometimes shorter, sometimes longer. Give me as much detail as possible and I will look for the information.

Ralph

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Ralph.

Yes, it's a particular person. He is MusketierPhilipp Bierbrauer (great name!!! , note the double "p", this is correct), who died on (give or take a day or two) 8th October 1916.

Anything you can give me from the list (I have very scant info on him) about him would be gratefully recieved.

Thanks,

Dave.

[roel22]

Hi Ralph,

If you could help me out with any info on Heinrich Unland, KIA near Kemmel 14-5-1918, 5e kompanie (Prussian) Reserve Infanterie Regiment 238 I would be extremely grateful.

regards

Roel

[Ralph J. Whitehead]

I have taken down the necessary information and will look up each request as soon as I can get to the library so please be patient. The lists are not the easiest to use and even knowing the dates of casualties only gives me an idea of which reel to look through and where I might possibly start.

Ralph

[bob lembke]

Hi, Ralph!

First of all, let me embarrass Ralph; he is a remarkable scholar of WW I. As is rudely said: "Long time no speak."

Can you tell us a bit more about this remarkable resource? Who put it out? Or is it a collection of publications from several entities?

I know someone who dreams of developing a roster of the men of the German Army of WW I. (Ralph may know him; I will PM Ralph on this. The idea is not as crazy as it seems.)

Bob Lembke

[Ralph J. Whitehead]

Hello Bob,

Thank you for the kind words, they are appreciated. You are correct, it has been some time since we talked. I hope that you are doing well.

The lists were printed almost daily from the beginning of the war through 1919 when they ended. It is a compilation of the daily casualty lists sent in by each regiment generally every 10 days, more or less.

These lists only represent the men reported as casualties and I doubt a complete list of the German army could ever be prepared but it would fill in many gaps in the records. I will wait to hear further from you on this. Once again, it is great talking to you again.

Ralph