This memorial page is dedicated to Willy Bürgin, 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.

 

Name: Bürgin
First names: Willy
Nickname: –
Date of birth: 12 February 1923
Place of birth: Freiburg-Haslach
Residence: –
Rank / Occupation: Lance Corporal
Identity tag: 7 – 2nd Company, Panzer-Abteilung 115
Unit: 2nd Company, Panzer-Abteilung 115
Date of death: 29 October 1944
Place of death: Helenaveen
Cause of death: –
Cemetery: German Military Cemetery at Ysselsteyn
Memorial site: –


Additional information

Grave location: Section BJ, Row 12, Grave 295

Willy Bürgin’s field grave was situated to the left of the Deurne–Helenaveen road, between plots H.28 and H.29.

Willy Bürgin began his military training on 9 October 1942 with the 5th Company of Panzer-Ausbildungs-Abteilung 7 in Böblingen; during his training, he was transferred to the 4th Company of Panzer-Ausbildungs-Abteilung 7. After completing his training, Willy Bürgin was assigned on 26 February 1943 to Marschkompanie A of Panzer-Ausbildungs-Abteilung 7; a Marschkompanie was a temporary company intended for soldiers who had completed their training and were ready to fight at the front. From Marschkompanie A, Willy Bürgin was finally assigned to the 2nd Company of Panzer-Abteilung 115 on 30 April 1943.

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

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