Major Eugen Rettenmeier, Veteran of Stalingrad

Major Eugen Rettenmeier (9 December 1891 - 7 January 1965) is a commander of II.Bataillon / Grenadier-Regiment 578 - and then the regiment itself - during the Battle of Stalingrad (1942-1943). His unit were part of 305.Infanterie-Division. Rettenmeier was one of the oldest men in the division, and certainly the most senior combat commander. Born in the tiny village of Wört, his life began ordinarily enough as an elementary school teacher. In 1912, he entered the service in Grenadier-Regiment 119 and was made a Feldwebel shortly before the First World War began. As a young Leutnant he experienced the Great War from the very first day, received both grades of the Iron Cross and was wounded five times. Despite his wounds, he only returned home after the war. He married in 1919, returned to his teaching profession, and had five children – four sons and a daughter. All four sons would serve in the army during the war. On the very first day of the Second World War, 1 September 1939, Rettenmaier was recalled to the military. In 1941, he became a company commander in 305. Infanterie-Division, and later a battalion commander. In May 1942, he received the terrible news that his eldest son, Ottokar, had been killed on the Eastern Front. In a small note, his division commander sent him a personal message: "My dear Rettenmaier! I have just heard of the heroic death of your eldest son. I know you are suffering from so heavy a loss. My special sympathy belongs to you, the courageous soldier, who is now taking part in the second war in the front-line. Your pain, however, must be borne like a soldier. In comradely solidarity. Your division commander [signed Oppenländer]". As can be imagined, the loss affected Rettenmaier, and it rammed home with razor sharp clarity the fact that every one of his men was someone’s son or father. He genuinely cared for his men. Rettenmaier led his battalion throughout the entire summer campaign of 1942 and saw many of his officers and men killed. After leading a successful assault against the Serafimovich bridgehead, Rettenmaier headed home for some well deserved furlough, only to return to Stalingrad and find his division had been bled white. He felt guilty that he had been enjoying himself back in the homeland while his comrades were being killed and mutilated in Stalingrad.

Source :

"Island Of Fire: The Battle For the Barrikady Gun Factory In Stalingrad November 1942 - February 1943" by Jason D. Mark