Gerhard Trömel

This memorial page is dedicated to Gerhard Trömel, one of more than 725 war victims connected to the municipality of Deurne documented by Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers. The municipality of Deurne and the surrounding villages of Liessel, Vlierden, Helenaveen, Neerkant and Zeilberg were liberated in the autumn of 1944 during heavy fighting. Victims fell on all sides: Allied soldiers from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and New Zealand, and German soldiers.

But the archive covers more than just the combat victims on Deurne soil. Residents of Deurne who lost their lives elsewhere are also commemorated: civilians who were murdered in concentration camps, forced labourers who died in Germany, people who were executed or succumbed to the effects of persecution and oppression. In addition, residents of Deurne who entered German military service and were killed elsewhere are also included.

Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers has been documenting the story of all these people since 1995, without distinction of nationality, side or background. The goal is to give every person a name and a face, and to keep their memory alive.

Additional information

Grave location: Section BJ, Row 11, Grave 256

Son of Iwan Trömel and Milda Trömel-Vogel.

Gerhard Trömel had been assigned just four days earlier to a company that was in position on the Deurnes Canal when, at around 08:30, he was fatally struck in the back during an Allied air raid.

Gerhard Trömel’s field grave was situated 10 metres west of the Van de Zwaan farm (H.29) in Helenaveen. His cross bore the inscription ‘Gefallen für Großdeutschland’.

A report on the transfer of remains, including identification details, drawn up by the Identification and Recovery Service, may be available for inspection from the author.

Obituary, written by his company commander, Leutnant Kürbiss.

Dear Michels family!

The events of the last few days have once again entrusted me with a very difficult duty. On 29 October 1944 at around 8.30 am, your son, Private Gerhard Trömel, was killed during an enemy low-level air raid. The regiment has been engaged in continuous positional fighting along one of the Dutch canals for several weeks. Your son, who had only just joined my company and had been with us for barely four days, was struck in the back through the heart by a bullet from a light machine gun during a surprise attack. He died very quickly and painlessly. On the evening of the same day, we buried him – this quiet, modest and ever-attentive comrade. His grave lies in this region of South Holland, where he fought. We know the exact location and can inform you of it in due course. I know that this news, which reflects the language of an inexorable fate, will hit you hard. Nevertheless, I would ask you to think of the greater cause for which we all stand out here and for which your son gave his life. We are soldiers and, moreover, paratroopers; the same fate could befall any of us at any time. We are not one for grand words. But rest assured that our sympathy is no less for that reason; on the contrary, it is all the more sincere and heartfelt, and we wish to help you as far as we are able. Should you have any further questions or concerns, I am, of course, at your disposal at any time.

With the deepest sympathy, and on behalf of my company, I send

Heil Hitler!

Yours, Kürbiß

View all persons in the category: German soldiers killed in action