Germany, Army. A Casualty Grouping of Feldpost belonging to Wehrmacht Panzer Gunner Johann “Hans” Eberhart

(Eine Sammlung von Feldpost angehörig zu Wehrmacht Panzer Richtschütze Johann “Hans” Eberhart von Wien).

According to the included Wehrpaß, Johann “Hans” Eberhart was born on July 30th, 1920 in Oberfucha, Austria, measuring 106 mm (w) x 148 mm (l). He joined the HJ in 1932 and was a recipient of the Golden Honour Badge, according to the accompanying award certificate, measuring 88 mm (w) x 120 mm (l). There is also a picture of Hans in his HJ uniform, wearing his goldenes Ehrenabzeichen, measuring 58 mm (w) x 84 mm (l).

Before joining the Wehrmacht in summer of 1939 he had reached the HJ rank of Jungstammführer of Bann 506 (Wien-Schönbrunn, 6. Bezirk). He was first stationed at the 1. Kompanie Panzer Ersatz Abteilung 4 on September 24th, 1939, serving in the 7th Panzer Division, Regiment 18 at the time of his death. There are two pages towards the rear of the Wehrpaß that list the battles that Hans was part of. 

Gefreiter Hans Eberhart died in the field on September 30th, 1941, and is buried on Schirmanowka Street, North of Schostka, according to the notices sent to his mother, Frieda Eberhart, between January 29th, 1942 and February 3rd, 1943, measuring 213 mm (w) x 152 mm (l). There is a picture of provisionary field graves, marked 1-7 on the obverse, with writing on the reverse indicating that Johann “Hans” Eberhart is buried at lot six, measuring 84 mm (w) x 58 mm (l). 

There is a letter and envelope from an HJ official, addressed to Hans Senior, to share their sympathies, measuring 208 mm (w) x 295 mm (l), along with a note, written in the field, from a Wehrmacht colleague that lists the personal effects that were sent home to Hans’ family.

This grouping contains five diary notebooks that belonged to Hans, all filled from beginning to end, except for one, with his last entry three days before his death on September 27th, 1941, measuring 150 mm (w) x 88 mm (l). The books depict substantial damage, possibly from a bullet.

Accompanying this grouping is a photograph of Hans in his Wehrmacht Panzer uniform (rank of Gefreiter), also wearing his HJ Honour Badge, DRL Badge, and HJ Sports Badge, measuring 84 mm (w) x 134 mm (l).

There are several handwritten letters and envelopes in this grouping, addressed to his father, Johann Eberhart (Senior) and his mother Frieda Eberhart, both living at 26-89 Maxingstraße in the 8th district of Vienna.They vary in size and condition.

Uniquely, this set of documents also includes three Edelweiss flowers. According to Austrian and German folklore, suitors proved their love by climbing to 2,000-3,000 m height above sea-level in search of the flower. Tragically, many fell to their death or died of exposure, making the Edelweiss a symbol of bravery, strength, and dedication.

This is a unique and complete collection of field correspondence between a loving son and his mother, along with the Wehrpaß and accompanying documents of Hans’ Eberart’s death, condition ranging from fine to extremely fine.