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My Grandfather was a German soldier in WWII. he fought in Poland, France, the Balkans, Southern Russia/Crimea and the German-eastern front at the end of the war.

He was asked to come back after the war and join the Bundeswehr where he served until the late 60's.

He passed away in 2001 as is buried in Schwetzingen.

I had the benefit of getting to know him as a teenager, and as a young man before he passed. Now I am trying to find out as much as I can about his life and unit.

I am looking for veterans, or historians of the 73rd ID that may have known him or can give me a unit history.

Please reply. It will greatly be appreciated.

Hello Six String and welcome to Feldgrau!

Your Grandfather must be Schwertenträger Werner Ziegler who spent much of his wartime service in the Infanterie-Regiment, later Grenadier-regiment 186 of the 73. Infanterie-Division. Hopefully you'll recieve the information you want from various Heer experts here on Feldgrau. Here's a nice portrait photograph of him as a Hauptmann and an Eichenlaubenträger...


Werner Ziegler

http://presentations.uib.no/pls/portal/ ... _PART.show


Here's a link for some other good photographs of your Grandfather. Scroll down to Eichenlaubenträger no. 121 and see...

http://users.pandora.be/eisernes_kreuz/ ... aeger.html


Regards,

Krollspell

I wonder if he could have been related to my ex C.O. Hptstf.Friederich Ziegler, there is an uncanny likeness with photographs of him in younger years and the one posted above.
Alas, I'll never know. (and actually it's not important)
HN

Kroll


This man was my grandfather. Thank you for your comments and the link.

Any other persons with a history or outline of the war service my grandfather, or of the 73rd I.D. 186 regiment please forward.

Six

Some more on your Grandfather Six! Not much but still...

http://www.ritterkreuztraeger-1939-45.d ... tseite.htm

And here's a short quote from John R. Angolia's "On the Field of Honor - A History of the Knight's Cross Bearers volume 1" (1979):

Werner Ziegler was born on 30 April 1916 in Hausach. When he entered combat for the first time he demonstrated abilities beyond his years. He was innovative in the use of tactics and earned the reputation as being the "specialist in the night attack". Although suffering a wound during the course of an attack against the Soviets, he continued to lead his men with determination and valor. For his actions, he was awarded the RK. He eventually assumed command of the infantry regiment to which he was assigned and went on to earn the Swords.

Regards,

Krollspell

Hi String!
Try it with the following links:
http://www.diedeutschewehrmacht.de/73%20inf%20div.htm
http://members.aon.at/dbundsch/id73.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... n/73ID.htm
Best regards
Matthias

I have no info on your relative. But i have to say that I am drawn to his picture. You can see the refelction in his eyes and he is a young man with his whole life ahead of him. Wonderful pic!

Hi. Just came across your Post. My grandfather also served with the 73rd ID but as a gefreiter. This from his wass report ab 05.04.1942 9.(Radfahr-)Kompanie Infanterie-Regiment 186 Unterstellung: 73.Infanterie-Division Einsatraum: Jan. 1942/juli 1942=Mius Aug. 1942 = Kaukasus Sept. 1942/Dez. 1942= Novorossisk Zugang: v. Feldersatz-Bataillon 73/2 Am 16.10.1942 ins Feldlazarett Krasnodar wegen Granatsplitterverletzung beider Fusse , Brust, und linker Zeigefinger ; Zugang vom Lazarettzug, Abgang 09.10.1942; weiter mit Lazarettzug. Am 16.10.1942 ins Reservelazarett V Krakau wegen Vewundung am 13.09.1942. Abgang : 18.12.1942 kriegsverwendungsfahig zum Ersatz-Bataillon 186 (Genesenden-Kompanie Grenadier-Ersatz-Bataillon 186 Standort: Ansbach after 03.02.1943 he went on to the Landesschutsen-Bataillon 624 Unterstellung: 1943 Wehrkreis XIII (Nurnberg) Einsatz Roth bei Nurnberg He passed away in 1980. My grandfather most likely knew your grandfather not on a everyday basis but as one of his commanders. Might have even fought side by side. THanks Bernhard37049 By the way mein Opa sein name war Otto Rieder

Came across this excellent studio portrait of Werner Ziegler today with his wife and baby. Thought you might like to see it if you don't already know it.