Deadly typos - Soldiers missing in action since 1944 because of typos and mistakes

A simple typo in a database can make a soldier go missing for 80 years, with his family left guessing in agony about his fate. This video depicts three actual cases of soldiers buried in the of the Dagneux German Cemetery and having been reported as missing in action since 1944 because of minor retranscription errors made by US troops of the Graves Registration Companies.

A Crocodile Tear Productions documentary

1939 - 1945 - Graves Registration Companies - Identification tags - Reserve Grenadier Bataillon 7 - Reserve Grenadier Bataillon 327 - Draguignan Cemetery - Volksbund Deutsches Kriegsgräberfürsorge - Deutsche Dienststelle - WASt - Vermistenbildlisten - Deutsche Rottes Kreutz - Red Cross - Nazi - Wehrmacht - August 1944 - Operation Dragoon Anvil - Dagneux German War Cemetery - MIA - KIA - Missing in action - killed in action - German army - Italian army - exhumation - investigation - forensic medicine - archaeology - genealogy research - decapitation - funeral - burial - fingerprinting - tooth chart - grave digger - mass graves - Draguignan Rhone American US war cemetery - DPAA - veteran - grave diggers - Carlo Maioli, Sant'Angelo di Lodigiano - Eno Enno Strobel - Mont Scandeious - 517th PIR - 517 PRCT - 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment - Callian - Montauroux - Col de Braus - Sospel - Cannes - VDK - Johann Kirchner - Hanns Kirchner - 11.09.1944 - 21.09.1944 - Scheuerfeld - Bruck - 46th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company - 48th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company - 51st Evacuation Hospital - fingerprints - CSI - crime scene investigator - tooth chart

[QED_]

*What* can you do when stereotypes prove to be so spot on (?) The Germans are organized about military records, the Italians (presumably from southern Italy) are disorganized, and the French . . . don't care.

[CrocodileTear]

I found out today, April 6th 2023, that Johann Kirschner is now also officially considered identified by the German authorities thanks to my research.... and his brother died two weeks ago, the day before his 90th birthday.

[mandychapin]

What's sad is all the countries involved had decades to seek out their missing men and didn't. Very soon, there won't be any direct family left to contact. You are an angel for all the hard work you do for these men and their families!

[RADIUMGLASS]

In this day and age humanity is lucky to have men like you still around.

[th.burggraf]

As for Enno Strobel's typo, I noticed that the signature in his pay book (Soldbuch) is written in Sütterlin script (a.k.a. Deutsche Schrift - German script). In Sütterlin script, the double m as well as the double n can alternatively be written as a single m or n with a small horizontal line above the letter. Perhaps this small line above the n has simply faded over time and is no longer visible.
P. S.
Your video was quite interesting to watch and I really appreciate the effort you put into it. My grandfather has also been missing since 1943 (about 100km north of Odessa, Ukraine) and so I'm genuinely grateful to people like you who are trying to correct errors in official documents, or to find out the whereabouts of these victims of World War II, thereby providing a great service to the bereaved. 🤝🏻

[mattl]

Wonderful work Jean-Loup. You're absolutely right to feel proud that you brought closure to those families. Some may think that it hardly matters after 80 years, but I can tell you that my German Grandmother, at over 80 years of age, still felt pain about her experiences during the war, and the loss of a dear cousin in Russia- and his fate was known; it would be so much worse for those whose loved-ones are simply missing...

[farleyxwilbur]

Your work as a local historian is truly appreciated by this U.S. historian. Anyone who doubts the value of local historians is a fool; I have worked with many local historians to discover the stories of American pioneers in my area of Colorado and the history we have discovered is not only fascinating but of value to our state historical society. I have done this type of research since the early 1970s and have slowed a great deal due to age, but I urge those who are younger to become involved in whatever capacity you can because once history is lost, it can never be recovered. Thank you for your work in your area. (My father was an American soldier who fought in France and Germany and came back without wounds but with a Bronze Star; his cousin died in a minor battle in France. I am sorry to hear the French government does not seem to care about your work.)

[CarneyColours]

No matter the uniform, a dead soldier is no longer your enemy and therefor deserves the respect for his service.

[ericscottstevens]

You are doing great work.
My Great grandfather Georg Wicht was killed in action at La Fontenelle in July 1915 but did not know this fact until last year. All our family knew was "Vosges" was where he was killed and that was about it for the front he was at. A French historian named Pierre Grande Guerre listed my Grandfathers Bavarian Infantry unit that defended the area and the puzzle was solved after over 100 years of exactly where he was killed apparently in an artillery barrage. It was a great elation for me, sadly however many of my German relatives have passed on and never knew about La Frontenelle / Ban-de-Sapt, France.

[normagrimstad]

I think you are doing wonderful work. Even after 75 years, somebody’s heart was broken, and you are bringing closure, hopefully peace, and most importantly honor to these soldiers.

[NeilFLiversidge]

All this work you've done to bring some peace to these families. You are a truly great human being Jean Loup. People like you restore my faith in human nature. Shame on the French government, but that is the obtuse and obdurate bureaucratic mindset of the French governmernt that contributed to the UK voting for Brexit. We don't want such people influencing how the UK is run.

[thomasweatherford]

Your work is incredible. For anyone who wants a thorough answer to your questions as it pertains to this stuff, know that I contacted Jean-Loup and I heard back within a few days. He’s so gracious and is eager to help out with his expertise. Thanks for all that you do! If you’re ever in Seattle, there’s a lunch and drink waiting for you! 🍻

[victormahagan]

I am from the USA and have had relatives in WWI, WWII, Korea and Vet Nam. As far as I know they all lived through the war and returned home. It is reassuring to know that there are people that care about those who fought and/or died while serving their country care enough to do the labor intensive work that you do. God Bless you and your efforts!

[norwegianwiking]

Truly incredible work.
And US graves registration needs a lot more recognition for their work.

[jegsthewegs]

Everyone who watches this video, will have these Guys in their minds- however briefly. So they are REMEMBERED, whatever side they fought on. So now when I remember my Uncle and my Father, these young Guys will be there too.💔

[jayeblu]

Great work! Most remarkable is how each country is represented even after the war... almost as a cliché. Americans are professional, German are efficient, Italian disorganized. However, these 3 countries obviously care about their soldiers and show an eternal respect for their sacrifice. As for the French authorities: despicable, shameful, systemic incompetency of its administration...

[Joker]

You are fantastic. Excellent work, and thank you.

[catherinejohnson]

You are amazing. Your research is totally compelling, fascinating, timely, and a balm for so many. Bless you and your work.

[philharmonicwittgenstein]

Dear Sir, I cannot express clearly enough how much I respect you for the work you do. I live in Australia so am unable to assist you in your work, but I am with you in heart and soul. You are a wonderful human and I give you all of my blessings. Peace to you and your family.

[brianbernstein]

Mr. Gassend - I've now watched several of your videos as well as the podcast (interview) you did with an American journalist. Your medical background and investigative skills really bring the stories of these missing soldiers to life -- and highlight the horrors of war. While watching the videos I couldn't help but wonder how Russia and Ukraine are documenting the thousands of soldiers killed in that unfortunate conflict. In any event, I want to thank you for all that you've done investigating these unidentified or misidentified soldiers and French Resistance fighters. Bringing closure to the families that saw their sons go off to war and never return -- especially after 75+ years, is just an extraordinary accomplishment. You can and should be very proud. God bless you.