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Thread: On the 1st July 1943, Erich Jung from Bieber über Giesen in Germany was noted as ‘missing in action’ in Russia. Jung was born on the 17th October 1920 and served in 4. Kompanie, Panzergrenadier Regiment 6, having joined up in the summer of 1942.
The last letter Erich sent to his family is dated the 26th June 1943, only 5 days before he was listed missing. In this letter, his spirits were dampened and he notes that they had taken up positions in their old fortifications, suggesting they had begun to retreat.
By late August 1943, Erich’s family had been notified and the family had been sent several letters of condolence, which are marked by black rimmed envelopes. I have six of them in my possession, but only three of them have ever been opened.
I believe Erich’s father, Wilhelm, whom the letters were addressed to, could not bring himself to open them. One opened letter talks of the ‘great loss of young life’, as well as the future peace that will be achieved ‘by the Führer’.
To this day, Erich Jung is still listed as ‘missing’ by the Volksbund (the German war graves commission). His name, however, is included in the memorial book of the Sologubowka cemetery, near St Petersburg.
[Not my photo]
![To this day, Erich Jung is still listed as ‘missing’ by the Volksbund (the German war graves commission). His name, however, is included in the memorial book of the Sologubowka cemetery, near St Petersburg. [Not my photo]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EscInZoUYAEImEv.jpg "To this day, Erich Jung is still listed as ‘missing’ by the Volksbund (the German war graves commission). His name, however, is included in the memorial book of the Sologubowka cemetery, near St Petersburg. [Not my photo]")
[Not my photo]
I bought these & other family letters at a military fair in 2017. I was told they were bought from the family & somehow made their way to the UK. By pure coincidence, letters sent to Erich’s sister from her partner describe fighting partisans behind Army Group Centre in 1942.
