German War Graves in Grimsby, Lincolnshire ~ History & Photos
German War Graves in Grimsby, Lincolnshire ~ History & Photos
A look at the Commonwealth War Grave Commission’s War Graves for men who served in the German forces during World War II and who were subsequently buried in Grimsby in Lincolnshire.
Original photographs of each grave and research into each man - a special article and, can you help . . .
To see the graves maintained by the Commonwealth War Grave Commissions is to be filled with pride, appreciation and respect - their work is tremendous.
It is not restricted to British and Allied forces either. Those serving with the German Military are treated with exactly the same care and respect.
Their are graves here for German Airmen who came here to bomb England but we remember them now as brave young men serving their country as our young men also did.
In that spirit and also that of historical interest I should like to find out as much as possible about all the German servicemen buried in Grimsby.
I should be interested in any more information not included below and also any information on any more graves not included here.
Walter Kosling †
Walter Kosling is a man who has appeared on the site more than once before, in fact quite incredibly we even have a photograph of site stalwart Amiguru holding part of his parachute - seen here in the comments section of the article on Wartime Bombing in Grimsby
Kosling above and Danzenberg below were both in the same aeroplane on a daytime mission to bomb RAF Leeming. Oberleutnant Fritz Danzenberg was in Heinkel He111 of KG4 Eindhoven but they lost their route and over the Humber were hit by Anti-Aircraft fire , they dumped their bombs near Immingham, Fw Observer Walter Kosling bailed out, but his parachute got caught in the tail plane and the plane crashed near the Immingham-Habrough Road. Fritz Danzenberg lost his life too - 2 others survived and became Prisoners of War.
Credit to Martin Bridge for the details.
Fritz Danzenberg †
Hubert Toeltsch †
Hubert Toeltsch was a crew member in one of three planes shot down whilst attacking Hull on the 13-14 July. His Dornier 217 crashed into the sea just off Spurn Head at shot down by a 604 Squadron Beaufighter. All the Luftwaffe crew were missing only Hubert Toeltsch’s body was found, in sea nearly 2 weeks later on 26 July
Franz Schmidt †
Franz Schmidt passed away aged 46 and is buried in a military grave in the military section at Grimsby’s Scartho Road Cemetery. I’ve been unable to find out anything about Franz, other than he served in the German Army. The date of 1946 suggest a P.O.W.
Franz Kapron †
Franz Kapron served in the German Navy (Deutsche Marine) and once again I’ve, sadly, been able to find nothing more about Franz, his time in the war and his time here in the UK. As before a date of 1946 strongly suggests a Prisoner of War, as with everybody here we’d very much welcome more information.
Ludwik Blaszczok †
Ludwik Blaszczok is listed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as having been a serving soldier in the German Army but as we’ll see elsewhere on this page that doesn’t necessarily mean he was German. Ludwik’s surname suggests Polish origins so it’s entirely possible, though I cannot say for sure, that Ludwik was one of the Poles who were conscripted into the German Army when the Nazis occupied Poland.
Once again we desperately seek more information.
Viktor Koczy †
Viktor Koczy died in 1947 and is, as above, listed as having served in the German Army. The date once again suggests a POW and the name, unusual when specifically searched for, looks as though it may originate in the Ukraine, so was Viktor a Ukrainian man drafted into the Third Reich ?
Heinrich Krebs †
Heinrich Krebs, listed as German Army by the CWGC, died in 1947 suggesting he was a Prisoner of War kept here in a POW camp in Lincolnshire.
We should very much like to find out more history about Heinrich, as we would everybody on this page, so if you can help at all please do leave a comment.
Bruno Kluck †
Bruno Kluck is listed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as of German nationality and a German Soldier. The date of his death being 1947 is suggestive of him being a Prisoner of War though I’ve found no evidence to back this up.
Karl Ernst Thiede †
Karl Ernst Thiede was in a Heinkell taking part in a bombing raid when his plane was shot down by a Hurricane fighter.
3 of the crew members were rescued at sea by a fishing trawler and later transferred onto a Grimsby-based ARP vessel. 2 lost their lives though only the body of Karl Ernst Thiede was recovered and subsequently buried at Scartho Road Cemetery, Grimsby.
Thank you to Martin Bridge for those details
Erich Schoppa †
Erich Schoppa was a German Soldier and the obvious point of interest is the date of his death - 1947
Sadly, I cannot find out anything about Erich although there is mention of somebody with the same name who was Polish and became ‘nationalised’ by the Germans when they occupied Poland, he became a Category III German Prisoner. The reference then goes on to say he lost his life fighting in the German Army in the Czech Republic on January 22, 1945 - if that’s absolutely correct then he’s obviously not our Erich Schoppa, that said it’s an uncommon name, perhaps there’s some connection - if nothing else it certainly suggests that Erich, although listed as being in the German army, may well have been Polish !?
Waldemar Bronny †
Waldemar Bronny also died in 1947, as Erich Scoppa above, and his name also suggests he was a Polish National, and later conscripted into the German Army.
I can find on other official records or concrete information on Waldemar or what happened to him far from Poland here in Lincolnshire.
August Schmitz †
August Schmitz 6th November 1940 aged only 22, he was an Airman in the Luftwaffe ( The German Air Force ) and his grave, shown above, is at Grimsby (Scartho Road) Cemetery.
Edward Zahn, headstone seen below, was only 21 years old when he lost his life on the same day as August Schmitz. As they were both airmen in the German Luftwaffe it seems reasonable to assume their deaths were connected - the question is how . . .
Edward Zahn †
Georg Werder, seen below, is buried at Scartho Road Cemetery Grimsby in the military section. Other than serving in the German Luftwaffe and losing his life at the terribly young age of 22 I’ve been unable to find any other information except for the obvious fact that the date matches that of August Schmitz and Edward Zahn seen above
Georg Werder †
With regard to our last three German servicemen, Werder, Zahn and Schmitz, I’ve rooting round and found some official information of a plane crash which matches that date, it’s the only one listed for that date as well. . .
On 16 November 1940 a Dornier Do 26 V5 was lost along with all the crew, after being launched at night from the catapult ship Friesenland in Brest, France.
Could this be the the plane in which our three servicemen flew ?
If you can add anything not included above or have any general comments to make then please do leave a comment and I hope you’ve found the both respectful and of interest.
Respectfully yours,
Rod
Veronica said,
February 1, 2012 @ 7:50 pm
Once again Rod , black and white is the way to go for this.
Each grave , someone’s son , husband , brother, cousin, boy friend.
RIP
Dave said,
February 1, 2012 @ 9:26 pm
Rod,
A Heinkel III crashed into the sea near Spurn Head on 6/11/40. Believed hit by anti aircraft fire. All crew killed.
He 111 H2 Unit: Luftflotte 4/KG53 Registration: A1+KM
Oblt H Bannert +
Uffz W Gohring +
Gfr G WERDER +
Uffz E ZAHN +
So nothing here on Schmitz. Undertaking further research!
Dave.
Kate said,
February 2, 2012 @ 12:53 am
Hi Rod,
I spoke my Hungarian friends this evening and mentioned the following names, they believe that both (Franz) Kapron & (Viktor) Koczny were probably of Hungarian origin as these are Hungarian surnames, I don’t know if that will help in your research.
The history of Hungary’s involvement in WWII is pretty complex and I can’t remember everything they told me, but in short, initially nearly all Hungarian troops involved in WWII fought for the Germans on the Eastern front - many were forced labourers or slave workers if they were of ‘undesirable’ origins. However, especially in the last couple of years of the war, there were individuals who were fascists/pro-Nazi, chose to join up and often ended up in German regiments/armies fighting on other fronts.
Kate
Rod said,
February 2, 2012 @ 7:25 am
Veronica,
absolutely, couldn’t agree more with the words and sentiments.
Regards
Rod
Rod said,
February 2, 2012 @ 7:29 am
Dave,
thanks for that, much appreciated, pleased fo rthe confirmation. Strange August Schmitz isn’t mentioned in that record - I’ve just checked on Heinkel crews and I believe the generally had 5 members so it could still be possible.
Thanks and regards,
Rod
Rod said,
February 2, 2012 @ 7:32 am
Kate,
really appreciate you doing that and the help from your friends - greatly appreciated.
It would be great if you could get the story behind all the men included above.
Best,
Rod
Stan Burdass said,
February 2, 2012 @ 4:45 pm
A bit more info re Walter Kosling/Fritz Danzenberg
On Saturday 22nd March 1941 at 7.55pm an enemy aircraft flew low over Immingham Dock and was shot down by machine gun fire and crashed in Mr Maltby’s field, nearly hitting Kennedy’s house on Stallingborough Road, Immingham. The aircraft dropped nine high explosive bombs on the dock (railway sidings) and did no damage. The Heinkel had a crew of four. Two men were taken prisoner and two of the crew had died.
Rod said,
February 2, 2012 @ 6:04 pm
Stan,
that’s fantastic, really do appreciate it, many thanks
Rod
Dave said,
February 16, 2012 @ 7:24 pm
Rod,
The kind and learned moderators on the Luftwaffe Experten board have confirmed that Schmitz was aboard Heinkel IIIH-2 A1+KM (see above).
The bodies of Werder, Zahn and Schmitz were found along the coast near Grimsby, from book,”The Blitz Then and Now, Vol.2″
German records show Schmitz as having the forename, Herbert. The same document shows the loss occuring on the 5th November. Interestingly another author, (Barry Rosch), has this aircraft falling prey to a Spitfire on 5th November also. (A 616 Squadron Spitfire based at Kirton-in-Lindsey piloted by a Flight Lieutenant Jones).
Thanks to Clint Mitchell and Peter Evans.
Regards,
Dave.
Rod said,
February 16, 2012 @ 7:31 pm
Dave,
this is absolutely wonderful, really can’t thank you enough, I know a lot of other people will appreciate your efforts as well.
I too would like to pass my gratitude on to Clint and Peter as well - fabulous !
Best
Rod
History Hunter said,
April 2, 2012 @ 7:42 pm
Further details found out about
Walter Kosling - Born in Zossen, in the Brandenburg region
Fritz Danzenberg - Born in Barmen, in the Wuppertal region
Hubert Toeltsch - Born in Stohl, close to the Danish border.
Franz Schmidt - Born in Alt Damerow, in the Damm region. He died at Binbrook, while he was a POW working on the land.
Franz Kapron - Born in Güstrow, in the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region. He died at Immingham Docks while he was a POW.
Ludwik Blaszczok - Born in Kornowatz, in Upper Silesia in Poland. Died at Weelsby POW Camp (All records show that the POW camp at Weelsby Woods only had Italian Prisoners as POW’s, but then in 1945 (the year he died) the Poles (Carpathian Lancers) used it as a demob camp. Is it possible that LB was not actually fighting against the Allies?
Viktor Koczy - Born in Niedobschütz, in Upper Silesia in Poland.
Bruno Kluck - Born in Groß Friedrichsburg, in the Western region of Ghana. His parents were German citizens. In the early 1900’s there was still a German colony Groß Friedrichsburg. He died at Camp 292b, which was at RAF Donna Nook.
Karl Ernst Thiede - Born in Nordhausen, in the Thuringia region. He is named on the German Air Force Memorial in Fürstenfeldbruck.
Erich Schoppa - Born in Scharley (now part of the town called Piekary Slaskie), in Upper Silesia in Poland. Died at Camp 292 at RAF North Somercotes
Waldemar Bronny - Born in Zabrze, in the Hindenberg region. He died at Camp 292 at RAF North Somercotes
August Schmitz - Real first name was Herbert. Born in Essen, in the the Westphalia region. He is named on the German Air Force Memorial in Fürstenfeldbruck.
Edward Zahn - Born in Stuttgart, in the Baden-Württemberg region. He is named on the German Air Force Memorial in Fürstenfeldbruck.
Georg Werder - Born in Niederwangen, in the Baden-Württemberg region. He is named on the German Air Force Memorial in Fürstenfeldbruck.
Hope these add a little extra to the individuals details.
Rod said,
April 2, 2012 @ 7:48 pm
HH,
stunning, absolutely stunning - this really is fantastic information, you do a huge amount in this area I know but this really is great to see and importantly great to see available now thanks to you.
Tremendous stuff HH
In appreciation,
Rod