James Blonde Posted 5 January , 2008 Share Posted 5 January , 2008 Dr. Erich Kästner (March 10, 1900 – January 1, 2008) was the last known German veteran of the First World War. At the time of his death, he was the second-oldest man in Germany (the oldest one did not serve). Kästner joined the army in July 1918 in the "Sonder-Bataillon Hauck", and served on the Western Front. It is said that he marched in a parade before Kaiser Wilhelm II in November 1918. He later also took part in the Second World War. Kästner held a doctorate in law. He lived with the family of his son at Hanover. His wife died in 2003 aged 102. May He + Rest In Peace. + Connaught Stranger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rory Reynolds Posted 5 January , 2008 Share Posted 5 January , 2008 Gosh what an innings this chap had! 108 is jolly good going. He must have seen plenty of changes in his lifetime not to mention all the inventions that have taken place over the period. Was there a photo of him posted in the German papers? Would love to have a glimpse of what the old veteran looked like. May his soul rest in peace + Rory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Roberts Posted 6 January , 2008 Share Posted 6 January , 2008 So now an entire army has passed into history. But, as a Doctor, Kastner led a useful and productive life. Was he the veteran whom Harry Patch met, as shown on TV a year or two back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete1052 Posted 6 January , 2008 Share Posted 6 January , 2008 God rest his soul. My grandfather fought the Germans the first time around, my dad did so the second time. Neither of them is alive today. Reminds me of the old song, "Ich hatt einen Kamaraden...." I think the following is appropriate for the occasion. Ict hatt' einen Kameraden Ich hatt' einen Kameraden einen bessern findst du nicht. Die Trommel schlug zum Streite, er ging an meiner Seite in gleichem Schritt und Tritt (in gleichem Schritt und Tritt). Eine Kugel kam geflogen, gilt sie mir, oder gilt sie dir, sie hat ihn weggerissen, er liegt zu meinen Fssen, als wars ein Stck von mir (als wars ein Stck von mir). Will mir die Hand noch reichen, dieweil ich eben lad'. Kann dir die Hand nicht geben, bleib du im ew'gen Leben mein guter Kamerad (mein guter Kamerad). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john jerome mcmanus Posted 6 January , 2008 Share Posted 6 January , 2008 Vale Herr Kastner The AIF of the Great War has passed into history and now the German Army. Can anyone inform me of the number of surviving veterans from all nations of this terrible conflict? Lest We Forget Pop Vale Herr Kastner The AIF of the Great War has passed into history and now the German Army. Can anyone inform me of the number of surviving veterans from all nations of this terrible conflict? Lest We Forget Pop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteWolf Posted 6 January , 2008 Share Posted 6 January , 2008 + Rest in Peace + Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Saunders Posted 6 January , 2008 Share Posted 6 January , 2008 Rest in Peace chum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 6 January , 2008 Share Posted 6 January , 2008 A generation passes into history. R.I.P. Erich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanCurragh Posted 6 January , 2008 Share Posted 6 January , 2008 Adrian - the German veteran Harry Patch met was Charles Kuentz - he died a couple of years ago. Pop - this page from Wikipedia gives the surviving veterans - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surviving_vet..._of_World_War_I RIP Erich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzie Posted 7 January , 2008 Share Posted 7 January , 2008 A good innings, May He Rest In Peace. Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will O'Brien Posted 7 January , 2008 Share Posted 7 January , 2008 I'll be raising a glass to the memory of Erich Kastner tonight. The Great War takes one more step into history with his passing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heid the Ba Posted 7 January , 2008 Share Posted 7 January , 2008 But, as a Doctor, Kastner led a useful and productive life. OP states he had a doctorate in law. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roel22 Posted 7 January , 2008 Share Posted 7 January , 2008 I'll be raising a glass to the memory of Erich Kastner tonight. The Great War takes one more step into history with his passing. This makes at least two raising a glass to Erich Kastner's memory. Roel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Armstrong Custer Posted 19 January , 2008 Share Posted 19 January , 2008 Herr Kastner's passing calls to mind the title of Farrar-Hockney's book Death of an Army. A salute to the last of the Kaiser's men. ciao, GAC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roel22 Posted 19 January , 2008 Share Posted 19 January , 2008 Just wondering: who/which organisation is keeping track of how many veterans are still alive for each country? And how accurate can they be? Roel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnorthall Posted 19 January , 2008 Share Posted 19 January , 2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_World_Wa...eran_by_country Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john jerome mcmanus Posted 20 January , 2008 Share Posted 20 January , 2008 Adrian - the German veteran Harry Patch met was Charles Kuentz - he died a couple of years ago. Pop - this page from Wikipedia gives the surviving veterans - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surviving_vet..._of_World_War_I RIP Erich Magic Rat Thanks for the info. I was surprised that there is still a surviving Aussie! I thought all had gone to God. Will do some research on this Thanks again Regards Pop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Ward Posted 23 January , 2008 Share Posted 23 January , 2008 Very sad news. Rest im Frieden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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