This is a Glass framed Death card Death card for iron cross holder Leutnant in a Grenadier-Regiment Johann Dietl (c.1906–1943) killed on 22 July 1943 in a battle on the heights east of Orel during the battle of Kursk in Russia.
The death card with picture and all writing clear to see it is still very solid not crumbling or braking up and has been mounted in a large glass fronted frame with all the information and translations the frame measuring 12 inches long by 12 inches wide making it perfect for display or a collection.
“Leutnant und Ordonnanz-Offizier bei einem Grenadier-Regiment” (“Lieutenant and liaison/orderly officer with a Grenadier Regiment”)
Dietl served in the German Army (Heer) as an Ordonnanz-Offizier — a staff liaison officer responsible for carrying orders, maintaining communications, and coordinating between headquarters and frontline units during combat operations. Liaison officers were especially vulnerable during retreat battles. Their duties required movement between command posts and combat positions under constant artillery and mortar fire.
At nearly 37 years old, Dietl was older than many frontline lieutenants of 1943. His age and assignment suggest he may have been a reserve officer, an experienced wartime promotion or attached to regimental headquarters
The Battle for Orel — July 1943
Dietl was killed during the Soviet offensive: Operation Kutuzov launched after the failure of the German offensive at the: Battle of Kursk.The memorial card records that he fell:on the hard-fought heights east of Orel”
This description closely matches the ridge-line defensive battles fought during the German retreat from the Orel salient in the summer of 1943. Historical evidence strongly suggests Dietl may have served with the:
56th Infantry Division
whose Grenadier regiments were heavily engaged east of Orel on 21–22 July 1943.
Possible regiments include:
· Grenadier Regiment 171
· Grenadier Regiment 192
· Grenadier Regiment 234
Decorations and Uniform
The portrait shows Dietl wearing the uniform of the regular German Army (Heer), it looks like he won· the Iron Cross 2nd Class and possibly the Eastern Front Medal
This is a Glass framed Death card Death card for iron cross holder Leutnant in a Grenadier-Regiment Johann Dietl (c.1906–1943) killed on 22 July 1943 in a battle on the heights east of Orel during the battle of Kursk in Russia.
The death card with picture and all writing clear to see it is still very solid not crumbling or braking up and has been mounted in a large glass fronted frame with all the information and translations the frame measuring 12 inches long by 12 inches wide making it perfect for display or a collection.
“Leutnant und Ordonnanz-Offizier bei einem Grenadier-Regiment” (“Lieutenant and liaison/orderly officer with a Grenadier Regiment”)
Dietl served in the German Army (Heer) as an Ordonnanz-Offizier — a staff liaison officer responsible for carrying orders, maintaining communications, and coordinating between headquarters and frontline units during combat operations. Liaison officers were especially vulnerable during retreat battles. Their duties required movement between command posts and combat positions under constant artillery and mortar fire.
At nearly 37 years old, Dietl was older than many frontline lieutenants of 1943. His age and assignment suggest he may have been a reserve officer, an experienced wartime promotion or attached to regimental headquarters
The Battle for Orel — July 1943
Dietl was killed during the Soviet offensive: Operation Kutuzov launched after the failure of the German offensive at the: Battle of Kursk.The memorial card records that he fell:on the hard-fought heights east of Orel”
This description closely matches the ridge-line defensive battles fought during the German retreat from the Orel salient in the summer of 1943. Historical evidence strongly suggests Dietl may have served with the:
56th Infantry Division
whose Grenadier regiments were heavily engaged east of Orel on 21–22 July 1943.
Possible regiments include:
· Grenadier Regiment 171
· Grenadier Regiment 192
· Grenadier Regiment 234
Decorations and Uniform
The portrait shows Dietl wearing the uniform of the regular German Army (Heer), it looks like he won· the Iron Cross 2nd Class and possibly the Eastern Front Medal
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