The Otto Eckstein Collection - Fw-189 Gunner - Deceased. Kursk, 17 Jul 1943
Colleagues,
Otto Eckstein, a gunner-radioman on an FW-189, was 21 years old when he was hit from below by a Russian bullet while flying a mission during the Battle of Kursk. The date was 14 Jul 1943. The aircraft commander immediately aborted the mission and returned to base at Orel. The wound was survivable, but an infection set in and the Doctor ordered an operation. Recognizing that he might not survive the operation, Otto wrote letters of gratitude to his parents and family. The operation took place of 17 Jul 1943, and Otto did not survive.
It is obvious that Otto was well liked by his comrades and revered by his family. Letters of condolence were written by his aircraft commander and Doctor to his family. He was awarded the EK-2, followed by the EK-1 and wound badge in silver, in rapid succession. His family placed his awards, along with a picture, in a 12x15 inch frame, mounted on red velvet. They compiled a chronology of his life and placed it in an album, and lastly, they kept his Wehrpass and every letter that he wrote from the Ostfront.
What follows is this collection, which I purchased in 2005 at a Militaria Show in San Diego, CA. I bought it because I collect USAAF, RAF and Luftwaffe, and because I own an FW-189 model from WWII. To find heretofore unpublished pictures of the FW-189 was to much to pass up.
Lastly, I count my blessings that the Allies ultimately defeated the Axis powers, but I acknowledge that millions died on both sides, fighting for what they believed in.
A retired USAF Colonel whose family escaped the Eastern Zone was good enough to verbally translate the above information. Those reading any of the documents are welcome to offer their own translation for all.
I will post all of this information on this board over the next few nights. Since this is the Orders and Decorations board, such is what I will begin with. Please note that several of the awards are in unused condition, simply because Otto died before he could wear them. If anyone recognizes any of the signatures on the award documents, that would be interesting.
P.S. I attempted to remove the awards to look at the makers marks, but this display is built to last. I would have had to destroy the display to see the marks, which I elected not to do.
Otto Eckstein, a gunner-radioman on an FW-189, was 21 years old when he was hit from below by a Russian bullet while flying a mission during the Battle of Kursk. The date was 14 Jul 1943. The aircraft commander immediately aborted the mission and returned to base at Orel. The wound was survivable, but an infection set in and the Doctor ordered an operation. Recognizing that he might not survive the operation, Otto wrote letters of gratitude to his parents and family. The operation took place of 17 Jul 1943, and Otto did not survive.
It is obvious that Otto was well liked by his comrades and revered by his family. Letters of condolence were written by his aircraft commander and Doctor to his family. He was awarded the EK-2, followed by the EK-1 and wound badge in silver, in rapid succession. His family placed his awards, along with a picture, in a 12x15 inch frame, mounted on red velvet. They compiled a chronology of his life and placed it in an album, and lastly, they kept his Wehrpass and every letter that he wrote from the Ostfront.
What follows is this collection, which I purchased in 2005 at a Militaria Show in San Diego, CA. I bought it because I collect USAAF, RAF and Luftwaffe, and because I own an FW-189 model from WWII. To find heretofore unpublished pictures of the FW-189 was to much to pass up.
Lastly, I count my blessings that the Allies ultimately defeated the Axis powers, but I acknowledge that millions died on both sides, fighting for what they believed in.
A retired USAF Colonel whose family escaped the Eastern Zone was good enough to verbally translate the above information. Those reading any of the documents are welcome to offer their own translation for all.
I will post all of this information on this board over the next few nights. Since this is the Orders and Decorations board, such is what I will begin with. Please note that several of the awards are in unused condition, simply because Otto died before he could wear them. If anyone recognizes any of the signatures on the award documents, that would be interesting.
P.S. I attempted to remove the awards to look at the makers marks, but this display is built to last. I would have had to destroy the display to see the marks, which I elected not to do.
