RARE! 13 y/o?? WW2 German DJ HJ Hitler Youth Standard Flag Bearers Young Boys Death card Killed in France 1940

Original 1940 German WWII Death Memorial Card – Johannes Niermann KIA France – Abtei Gerleve

Description:

Original WWII German religious death and memorial card for Young DJ Deutsche Jugend standard flag bearer Johannes Niermann, who was killed in France on June 18, 1940, during the final phase of the German campaign in France. A young boy for sure as you graduated the DJ and went on the the Hitler Youth upon turning 14! You do not see many death cards for DJ boys killed in France during the war!

The front features a striking religious image of an angel holding a chalice, identified beneath as “Liesborner Meister”, together with “Abtei Gerleve/18,” connecting the card with the Benedictine Gerleve Abbey.

The reverse contains the complete memorial text and specifically describes Niermann as a:

“getreuen Bannerträger in deutscher Jugend”
— literally, a “faithful standard-bearer in German youth.”

The card records that Johannes Niermann died on June 18, 1940 in the great battle in France. The remainder is an unusually extensive Christian memorial praising his devotion, sacrifice and faith, concluding with an invocation to Saint Michael as guardian over Germany.

Translation of the Reverse:

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

“On June 18, 1940, from the great battle in France, called His faithful standard-bearer in German youth,

JOHANNES NIERMANN

unto Himself into the realm of His glory.

Thus he completed the life which, in undivided love, belonged to Him and to Germany, like His own in sacrificial death. And in this he demonstrated that this love was at the same time grace and calling, in which the nature of the fallen man was founded.

No one could close himself off from this love, which went through the world in purity and joy; nothing could destroy it. As he emerged more mature and stronger from trial, he will—and this is our faith and our hope—now live in the glory of Christ and from there be more powerful in the lives of his brothers.

†

Saint Michael, guardian of God over Germany, accompany him, who chose you as the mighty helper of his life, from the battlefield into the eternal light. Amen.”

The bottom is additionally printed “G/0835.”

This is an especially interesting early-war memorial card because it dates to June 1940 and the Battle of France, rather than the later and much more commonly encountered Eastern Front casualties. The unusual reference to Niermann as a Bannerträger in deutscher Jugend, together with the Gerleve Abbey connection and strong Catholic imagery, gives the card additional historical and research interest.

Condition: Very nice overall condition for an original 1940 paper item, with light age toning and scattered minor foxing/spotting. Printing remains strong and clearly legible. Please see photographs for exact condition.

Guaranteed original WWII-period item. Item is sold exactly as shown.

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