Mail Correspondence with Soldiers at War (“Feldpostbriefe”): German soldier Konrad Wilhelm Henckell informs his parents of his brother’s death in Russia in May 1942 (Published on 25/07/2025)
Dietrich Claus Henckell, born on 03/05/1923, in Hamburg, died on 16/05/1942, near Kerch/Russia. His brother Konrad Wilhelm, who participated in the same battle, reported this to their parents in a letter as follows: (source: Bähr/Meyer/Orthbandt, Kriegsbriefe gefallener Studenten 1939 – 1945 [War Letters of fallen Students 1939 – 1945], p. 270 ff. [translation from German language]):
“On the Kerch Peninsula (Crimea), 19 May 1942
Dear parents!
If only I never had to start this letter to you. But fate has decided otherwise. I must tell you that in the vastness of Russia, only one heart still beats for you: your youngest son died a heroic death for his country, just like his uncle before him.
On 8 May, our troops set out to cleanse Crimea of the enemy in a short, fierce battle. In a swift attack, the enemy’s positions, which had taken months to build, were broken through and one pocket after another was defeated. Thousands had already been captured, and the city of Kerch itself was firmly in our hands. Only in a narrow hilly area by the sea north of Kerch did the Russians still hold their positions, even landing fresh, well-equipped troops. This last stronghold was to be taken by our armored division. On the first day, this was not entirely successful, as the Russians stormed the last chain of hills in dense crowds, heedless of their heavy bloody losses. All available machine guns of our unit were immediately thrown against this attack, and together they succeeded in stopping it, so that our infantry was able to take more than 10,000 prisoners from this corner the next day.
Dieter had taken up position with his platoon far ahead on the slope. As his company commander assured me, he had advanced here with great courage and played a decisive role in repelling the enemy. At dawn, when the front line was being withdrawn to higher ground, he was struck by a fatal bullet. As he was packing up his equipment, it pierced his neck and killed him instantly. He did not have to suffer. The following evening, when the infantry fire was no longer at the height, I brought him in myself after a long search. His features were calm. He no longer felt any pain. He fell on May 16, less than 500 meters from my position. Today, I visited his grave with his company commander, which is located in a heroes’ cemetery near Stary-Krim.
Now I am brotherless. But his death shall only spur me on to everlasting duty. You can be certain that you had a brave soldier as a son, who was prepared to give his all for his country. His death was not in vain! His sacrifice is helping to secure the freedom of our people. So I do not want to look back in sorrow, however deeply shaken I may have been today as I stood before his cross.
Fate has dealt us all a harsh blow. Let us bear it together with dignity.”
Konrad Wilhelm Henckell, born on 05/03/1922, in Hamburg, also died in Russia, he fell on 26/09/1943 near Chordoroff on the Dnieper River.
(Head picture: Memorial stones at the German military cemetery Kastel near Saarburg,
September 2024)
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