Can anyone help with information about my grandfather?

Tetsell · Post by **Tetsell** » Fri Mar 25, 2005 4:46 am

Hello,

I'm currently trying to find out about my grandfather. I'm from the English side of our family, and the first to try to find out anything about other than the little that is already known. He was captured by the Russians towards the end of the war and never returned so my mother never met him. The rest of her family are understandably wary of discussing it.

He was called Kurt Martens and born in 1918. From the few photographs we have we think he served in the Waffen SS Leibstandarte AH and eventually reached the rank of Oberscharfuhrer. We think he was at the Junkerschule in Prague when he was captured.

I've pretty much used up all the information I can get my hands on. Any advice or information would be appreciated. If it's any help I've uploaded a photo of Kurt here:

http://www.dannyanddan.com/Kurt.jpg

I really just need to find out as much as I can.

Many thanks in advance,

Dan

SvenW · Post by **SvenW** » Fri Mar 25, 2005 6:46 am

http://www.com-de.pair.com/wast/frame_e.htm

Good source but give them time to answer.

Sven.

Tetsell · Post by **Tetsell** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 8:30 am

Thanks for the advice. I have contacted them. I suppose I'll need to brush up my very rusty German.

Dan

Sista Soldjah · Post by **Sista Soldjah** » Tue May 10, 2005 2:35 am

Agree - very good source the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt)- we are so fortunate that the Germans keep such great records.

Sista

FastFreddy · Post by **FastFreddy** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 10:13 am

Sista Soldjah wrote:Agree - very good source the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt)- we are so fortunate that the Germans keep such great records.

Sista

Well the Germans are a very efficient people.:-)

Erik k. · Post by **Erik k.** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 11:52 am

Hi Tetsell,

You could try:
http://www.volksbund.de/graebersuche/
Here you can find out the grave of a fallen German Soldier.
Fill in the form under Onlinesuche.

Good luck!

Regards,

Erik K.

Knowe Remorse · Post by **Knowe Remorse** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 1:50 am

Not that I'm any expert on German uniforms and insignia's of the SS...

But the headband around his head has the same insignia as the 3rd SS panzer (Totenkopf) division. I'm trying to remember seeing other pictures of the SS wearing those on thier headbands. I know that both the LAH (1st SS) and 3rd SS Panzer divisions both spent a considerable amount of time on the Russian Front.

I'm sure someone on this site will be able to correct me if I am wrong (I'm sure I am). If I'm right, then definitely try looking in the records of the 3rd SS division.

Bittrich · Post by **Bittrich** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 10:23 pm

Knowe Remorse,
I don't want to appear to be sarcastic, but the Totenkopf was worn as headbands for SS personel. The headband would not be the place for a particular unit ensignia.

I applaud your efferts though.

Alex Dekker · Post by **Alex Dekker** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 12:06 pm

One other thing about the pic: your grandfather is wearing a EK II and a Winterschlacht medal. So he did serve in Russia in 1941/1942. (It's not much, but maybe it helps...)

Alex D.

Fighter · Post by **Fighter** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 6:41 pm

Nachname: Martens
Vorname: Kurt
Dienstgrad: Gefreiter
Geburtsdatum: 20.06.1918
Geburtsort: Bremen
Todes-/Vermisstendatum: 05.03.1945
Todesort: Karolinenhorst bei Stargard

Kurt Martens ist vermutlich als unbekannter Soldat auf die Kriegsgräberstätte in Stare Czarnowo-Szczecin - Sammelfriedhof (Polen) überführt worden.

Good Luck with your search
I'm not sure he is your guy

Feldgrau.net

Can anyone help with information about my grandfather?

Can anyone help with information about my grandfather?

Headband