AlanCurragh Posted 27 May , 2008 Posted 27 May , 2008 Just seen this report on the death of Franz Kunstler. http://www.spiegel.de/international/german...,555854,00.html Rest in peace, Franz
roel22 Posted 28 May , 2008 Posted 28 May , 2008 Was Kunstler truly 'the last' veteran of the German army? Erich Kastner, who died january 1st earlier this year, also was described as the last living veteran of the German army... Roel
SFayers Posted 28 May , 2008 Posted 28 May , 2008 According to the Spiegel bulletin, the difference is that Erich Kastner was the last veteran who served in the Imperial German Army, whereas Franz Kunstler was the last German veteran who served with the Austro-Hungarian army. Rest in peace Franz. cheers Steve
James Blonde Posted 28 May , 2008 Posted 28 May , 2008 Franz Künstler Born on the 24. 07. 1900 in Soost, (now in Romania.) Died † 27. 05. 2008, in Niederstetten, Germany, a German of Hungarian descent and former soldier of the Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian Army, was the last surviving soldier who fought with the Central Power's armies in WWI in Europe. He died on the 27 05 2008 from the results of a medical procedure. Franz Künstler, born in the "German" city of Soost in the then - Hungary in 1900, He served from early February 1918, till the end of the war in the 1st Artillery Regiment of Austro-Hungarian army, nine months before the end of the war. He fought on the Italian front.and saw combat in Italy. He also served in WWII and fought in the Ukraine. Afterwards, it was impossible for him to return to Hungary. He became a museum's guide in his new hometown in Southern Germany. He was married to Elisabeth Künstler for more than 60 years and outlived her by 27 years. Even till his final days, he took care of his life on his own. According to his own words, it was his dream to become 110 years old. "Then I can go to hell", he said in an interview with a German magazine only some weeks ago. With the death of the last surviving Turkish WWI veteran in April, 2008 Künstler had become the last living man who was a soldier in the Great War on the Central Power's side. May he + Rest In Peace + Connaught Stranger
roel22 Posted 28 May , 2008 Posted 28 May , 2008 According to the Spiegel bulletin, the difference is that Erich Kastner was the last veteran who served in the Imperial German Army, whereas Franz Kunstler was the last German veteran who served with the Austro-Hungarian army. Thank you for clearing that up, Steve. R.I.P. Franz
irishmen1916 Posted 28 May , 2008 Posted 28 May , 2008 Der lange Schlaf erwartet Sie. Rest im Frieden. Peter
john jerome mcmanus Posted 29 May , 2008 Posted 29 May , 2008 The Great War is nearing its end. Vale Franz Pop
Guest tonysventure Posted 29 May , 2008 Posted 29 May , 2008 RIP Franz. A tribute was created in his honor. Feel free to share photos and memories. http://respectance.com/Franz_Kunstler
west coast Posted 29 May , 2008 Posted 29 May , 2008 just finished reading henry patche`s book [the last fighting tommy] , he tells of his meeting franz kunstler [r.i.p] not long ago. a very good read. mike.
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