Oberst (Colonel) Ludwig Streil - Military Life
Table of contents:
A. Introduction and Biography
B. Personal Life
C. Chronicle of his life prior to and during WW1
D. Chronicle of his life between the wars and into WW2
1. Injuries sustained in WW1 as listed in his military records
2. List of awards and medals he received in World War 1
3. Information from his “Personalbogen” (Personnel Record) 19.Nov. 1917 – German
4. Information from his “Personalbogen” (Personnel Record) 19.Nov. 1917 – English
5. Auszüge aus dem Wehrpass (Excerpts from Ludwig Streil Military Service Book) – German
6. Excerpts from Ludwig Streil Military Service Book (Wehrpass) – English
7. History, structure and configuration of Königlich Bayerisches Infanterie-Leib-Regiment prior to WW1 and between the wars
8. Post WW1 promotions and posting locations
9. List of awards, medals and promotions he received in World War 2
10. Structure of Wehrmacht Infantry Regiments 61 & 62 (I.R. 61 & 62)
11. References
A.) Introduction and Biography
Ludwig Streil (21.Jan.1893–17.May 1940) was a distinguished German officer who entered the Bavarian Army prior to World War 1 and rose through the ranks from Unteroffizier (Corporal] to Oberst [Colonel]. For his outstanding military service and daring he received the very rarely bestowed title of “Tapferkeits- Offizier” (Bravery Officer) as well as many medals and awards including the Bavarian Golden Military Merit and Bravery Medal, and in World War 2 the German Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross. Streil was a commanding officer in the Freikorps and the Reichswehr between the wars and was Commander of the 2nd Battalion of the Wehrmacht Infantry Regiment 61 at the time of his death during the Invasion of Belgium in May 1940.[1][2][13]
Born: 21.Jan.1893 in Zusamzell, Bavaria
He entered military service 23.Oct.1912 in the 8th Company of the 1.Bayerisches Infanterie Regiment “Leiber” and served on many fronts in WW1 as a brave and heroic Non-commissioned officer (NCO) receiving many awards.
On 24.Dec.1917 he was promoted and proclaimed a “Tapferkeits-Offizier” [Bravery Officer]. He was one of only 230 NCOs in the German Armed Forces in WW1 to have received this honourable title and rank. [1] [11]
Died in Action: 17.May 1940 (age 47) along the Charleroi Canal (Senette) near Ittre, Belgium while fighting with the II. Battalion of Infanterie Regiment 61 (established 15. Oct.1935)
Dogtag details (Erkennungsmarke): -62-St.II./ I.R.62 (Stab.II Bataillon Infanterie-Regiment 62) [6]
Cause of death: Multiple injuries caused by shrapnel [Granatsplitter]
Initially buried on the grounds of the Château d'Ittre (Ittre /Walloon Brabant/Belgium), then after WW2 relocated and interred in the German Military Cemetery at Lommel (Limburg, Belgium) Row 49/Grave264 [1]
B.) Personal Life
Last Residence: Gut Hub, Penzberg, Bavaria
Married: 19. Dec. 1929 to Eileen Theodora Bredt (nee Meyer) as Hauptmann (Captain) of the 19th Bayerisches Infanterie Regiment – IR.19 München / Munich
Wife: Eileen Streil b. 31. March 1898 – d. 24. Dec. 1976
Children:
Georg Streil b. 15. Aug.1932 - d. 04. July 2015
Gabriele Streil b. 16. Dec.1933 - d. 07. Oct. 2013
Otto Bredt (Stepson) b. 28. Sep.1918 –Unteroffizier (Corporal) with the Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 98. Part of Heeresgruppe-Süd 17th Infantry Division or 3rd Gebirgs-Division Missing in Action: 21.Jan.1944 Nikopol, Ukraine
Walter “Rolf” Bredt (Stepson) b. 21. June 1920 Lieutenant in the Infanterie Regiment 40 later Hauptmann (Captain) of a Panzergrenadier Regiment. St. Vith, Belgium Killed in Action: Dec. 1944 during the “Battle of St. Vith”.
Eva Bredt (Stepdaughter) b. 30. Mar.1924 [6] [9 – pg. 76] [Personal documents & photographs from his family]
C.) Chronicle of his life prior to and during WW1
Born on 21.Jan.1893 Zusamzell (Altenmünster, Swabia, Bavaria, Germany) as the son of Josef Streil (master blacksmith and farmer in Zusamzell) and Viktoria Streil (nee Demharter), at 3.00 PM in House #13 according to the Geburtsregister des Standesamts Zusamzell. [Birth registry in the Zusamzell Registrar’s Office][5]
His schooling consisted of attending the local Volksschule [Public school] and 2 years in the Bauschule in Augsburg [School of Architecture and Construction]. At age 19 he was working as a Praktikant [Student Apprentice] when on 23.Oct.1912 he entered the service as a 2-year volunteer in the 8th Company of the Bayerisches Infanterie Leib-Regiment. [5] It is not known what motivated him to join as a volunteer.
On 01.Aug.1914 Germany entered into the First World War, with Streil serving in the above mentioned regiment. Within a very short time Unteroffizier Streil [Corporal] had distinguished himself in battle on the Western Front as “Der Patrouillengänger” [the foremost and outstanding/daring reconnaissance /patrol scout]. He also proved himself as an innovator of new ideas. He experimented with different designs of hand grenades, for example filling tin cans with lead shrapnel, hobnails and gunpowder, as well as utilizing barrels filled with sand, gravel and straw to roll in front of himself and his fellow soldiers to provide protective cover while advancing towards enemy trenches. [1][2][9- Pg.2] [10][11]
By 24.October 1914 he had been awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse aka EKII).
While fighting in the vicinity of Vermandovillers [between Amiens and St.Quentin] France, he was awarded Bavaria’s highest award for NCOs (Die Goldene Tapferkeitsmedaille) for his bravery as reconnaissance scout and the valuable information he had previously gathered. [2 - Pg.3] Nossoncourt was the location of his outstanding act of bravery for which he received this award. It was here that he voluntarily reconnoitred far behind the enemy lines to locate the exact location of an artillery battery which had hitherto evaded all efforts to destroy it. With the aid of his drawings the battery was able to be located and destroyed. [1][10]
In the book “Das Königlich Bayerische Infanterie Leib-Regiment im Weltkrieg 1914/18” written in 1931 by Major Joseph Ritter von Reiss and other surviving officers of the regiment, there is a specific entry regarding the dangerous reconnaissance patrols of the 8th Kompanie from 21.-25.Oct.1914 conducted by Unteroffizier Streil in which he repeatedly volunteered to approach the enemy frontlines, at times as close as 10 meters, to collect valuable strategic information. [1][12]
On 18.Jan.1915 he was promoted from Unteroffizier [Corporal] to Vizefeldwebel [Senior NCO or Sergeant First Class] [5]
While attached to and fighting with the German “Alpenkorps” at Son Pauses along the Italian Dolomite Front in the Tyrol, he was well known among the local troops on account of his hut, nick-named “Schloss Hubertus” (Castle Hubertus), which contained an orchestrion that had been taken from the ruins of a local manor named “Jagdhaus Hubertus”(Hunting Lodge Hubertus).[1][14] [Orchestrion is a generic name for a machine that plays music and is designed to sound like an orchestra or band. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchestrion]
On page 156 of the “Deutsches Soldatenjahrbuch-1973” it mentions “Offizier Stellvertreter” [Officer Deputy] Streil again specifically for his bravery during the attack on 23.June 1916 at Fleury, France. During a charge towards enemy lines, a French machine-gun was wreaking havoc and death upon the advancing German troops of the 8. Kompanie. Vizefeldwebel Streil stormed the position together with two other men and threw a hand-grenade at the French gun and crew. But before it could explode, the gunner was able to fire a number of rounds hitting Streil three times; wounding him in the neck, lung and shoulder. A few moments later his company commander Oberleutnant [First Lieutenant] Georg Ritter von Rauscher was shot in the head and killed while issuing orders to nearby German machine-gunners. [1][12] [Full name: Georg Ritter und Edler von Rauscher auf Weeg b. 7.06.1892 München KIA 23.06.1916 at Fleury, Verdun. http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40108]
What follows is a combination of two separate accounts of the events concerning Streil’s severe injuries sustained on the above mentioned date 23.June 1916. The first from Ludwig Streil’s own account “Mein letzter Sturm”[9] and the other from the 1940 Josef Magnus Wehner obituary for Streil outlining the ordeal as published in the Münchener Stadtanzeiger on the 24th anniversary 23.June.1940. [10]
Following the attack on and destruction of the machine-gun, during which he had been hit three times, Streil was left behind by the advancing troops, lying in a shell crater in no-man’s land for 2 days and nights in the midst of constant shell fire. He had no food and little water. He sustained further injuries while he was lying there, already seriously wounded, waiting for help to arrive, beginning with an unexploded large calibre naval gun projectile that crashed into the ground just meters away from him. Though it luckily did not explode, the concussion on impact caused his chest and lungs to compress temporarily robbing him of the ability to breath and bruising his lungs and body. In the hours that followed he received further shrapnel wounds, the first passing through his left foot causing severe bleeding. A few hours later two more pieces of red hot shrapnel cut into his left upper and lower thigh. During the night a further four fragments ripped into his back, left upper and lower thigh and his right shoulder, fracturing his shoulder-blade. Just around mid-day two days after his initial injury, he was struck by an empty shrapnel shell casing further injuring his left arm. His orderly (Gefechtsordonanz) named Sutor had been able to provide some hasty first aid following Streil’s initial injuries, but then had to leave with the charging troops advancing further in the attack through Fleury to the heights overlooking Verdun. On 25.June‘16 his orderly Sutor returned to Fort Douaumont and set out searching for and finding his “Zugführer” (Platoon commander) still lying in a shell hole in no man’s land. He attempted to carry the “half-naked coal black” body by himself but was unable to do so. He later returned with medics, one of which was apparently killed just before reaching the safety of Fort Douaumont. [It should be noted that this fatality of the stretcher bearer is not mentioned in Streil’s own account of events, but only in the Wehner article][10] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Douaumont]
The examining doctors initially expected Streil to die, however they made an effort to save his life. While Streil lay in no man’s land he had wanted to die, praying for a shell to explode near enough or on him to put him out of his misery. Now that there was hope again that he could survive, his will to live returned.
On 26.June 1916 he was transferred from Douaumont to the field hospital at Azannes, France. From the end of June 1916 until April 1917 he was treated in various locations in Germany to recover from his injuries and regain his strength. His military record states that he was back at the front by 01.May 1917 when he participated in the static battles of the Upper Alsace Region between 21.May-29.July 17. [4][5]
His next deployment was to the Italian Front from 24.Oct. - 19.Nov.1917 to participate in the Battle of Caporetto [Twelfth Battle of Isonzo] – not in his Personnel Record but from other sources. [2]
On 25.Nov.1916 he was transferred to the 1.Ersatz Battalion des Infanterie Leibregiment. [5]
On 24.Dec.1917 he was promoted from Vizefeldwebel [Senior NCO or Staff Sergeant] to “Leutnant der Reserve des Königlich Bayerischen Infanterie-Leibregiment” [Second Lieutenant “of the Reserve”] and pronounced a “Tapferkeits-offizier” (Bravery Officer) a very rare honour and outstanding achievement. He was the only one from the entire Bayer. Inf. Leib. Rgt. and one of only 230 NCOs in WW1 in the combined German Armed Forces to be awarded this title and promoted to officer rank on account of his bravery and achievements. [1][3][5][9][10]
He remained with this regiment until the end of the war on 11.Nov.18 in various capacities as Kompanie Führer der Pionier-Kompanie [Commander of an Engineers Company], as Adjutant II./Leib.[Aide- de- Camp of II. /Leib.Reg.], as Ordonnanz Offizier [Ordnance officer II./Leib.Reg.] and as Zugführer in der Pionier Kompanie[Platoon Leader of an Engineers Company of II. /Leib.Reg.]. [2][Pioneer H Combat Engineer- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_(military)]
In October 1918 he was awarded the Wound Badge in Gold after suffering three further severe and light injuries. One of which was a severe wound to his left forearm caused by a large piece of shrapnel. [6][9 -“Wehrpass Auszüge”] [11] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wound_Badge]
D.) Chronicle of his life between the wars and into WW2
Ludwig Streil is and was well-known for his many poems and verse written primarily about his experiences as a soldier in the First World War and later years between the wars in the military. Therein he exalted the virtues of good soldiers both in friend and foe as well as the tragedy of war. [8-pg.70] [9-pg.66-75] [http://www.worldwar1.com/sfgp1.htm] [https://wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/Germ…om_the_Trenches]
He also wrote a play called “Ein Deutsches Spiel” (A German Play) which dealt with the Allied occupation of the Rhineland 1918-19. The play was performed a number of times–once on 18.Dec.1933 at a Christmas celebration of the 4. (Machine-Gun Company) Kompanie 19. (Bayer.) Infanterie-Regiment at the Hotel “Union” Bayerstrasse in Munich, then in December 1938 in Innsbruck by the 2.Gebirgsdivision (as mentioned in the Innsbrucker Zeitung) and perhaps in the Berliner Konzerthaus in 1923 in front of Reichspräsident Friedrich Ebert and the Diplomatic Corps.
[9 - Copy of program cover and 18 page script pg. 41-59] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allied_oc…f_the_Rhineland]
His compassionate and sympathetic poem “Mein Feind” [My Enemy] was set to music by the famous Bavarian military march composer Georg Fürst (1870-1936). Georg Fürst was at one time musical director of the Bayerisches Infanterie Leib-Regiment as well as the Königlich Bayerisches 5. Infanterie-Regiment „Großherzog Ernst Ludwig von Hessen“ and later the 19. (Bayerisches) Infanterie-Regiment, but is best known for his many popular military marches. [4]
[https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georg_F%C3%BCrst][http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=124336]
After the war the “Leiber” Regiment was demobilized. According to the “Urteil des Arbeiter- und Soldatenrates” (Judgement of the Works- & Soldiers Council) Streil was discharged from his military service on 01.Feb.1919. By April 1919 the former commander of the “Leiber” Regiment Oberst Ritter von Epp (see: photo above) had formed “Freikorps Epp” and was enlisting many men of his former regiment. [1][9- Wehrpass]
The word “Freikorps” (German for "Free Corps") was first used for voluntary armies in Germany. After World War I the term was used for paramilitary units. These Freikorps became famous at the time of the Weimar Republic fighting against communists in some cities and towns. [https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freikorps]
Streil was taken into the ranks of “Freikorps Epp” and made Werbe-Offizier (Recruiting Officer). In May 1919 he was instrumental in defeating communist fighters in Munich of the “Münchner- or Bayerische Räterepublik” and in April 1919 during the German Civil War aka the November Revolution which lasted from November 1918 to August 1919. When Freikorps Epp was later included into the Reichswehr, it was renamed “Brigade Epp” and was part of the Reichswehr-Schützen-Brigade 21. [9][11]
[https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freikorps…/wiki/Freikorps] [https://www.historisches-lexikon-bayerns.de/Lexikon/Freikorps_Epp]
It was with Schützen-Brigade #21 that he participated in the fighting in Ruhraufstand (Ruhr-Uprising) in March 1920 against the “Rote Ruhrarmee” (Communist Ruhr-Army)
From 01.Oct.-31.Dec.1920 Streil was temporarily transferred to Infantry Regiment 42 and then to Infantry Regiment 14 [9]–“Wehrpass” pg. 144 [11] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruhr_uprising] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruhr_Red_…ki/Ruhraufstand]
As part of the limited “100.000 man” Heer (Army) of the Reichswehr, Streil entered the newly formed 19th Bavarian Infantry Regiment on 01.Jan.1921 (as “Begleitzugführer einer M.G. Kompanie”) and was later commander of the 1st Company. He remained with Inf. Reg. 19 until 31.Dec.1934. [9 - Curriculum vitae and obituary from Kompanie “Von Epp” 8. Kp. pg. 2] [11] [19. (Bayer.) Infanterie-Regiment http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/I…nter/IR19-R.htm]
On 01.Feb.1925 while Streil was serving in the Reichswehr I.R. 19 when he was promoted from Leutnant [Second Lieutenant] to Oberleutnant [First Lieutenant] [6][9- Wehrpass]
Some four years later, on 01.June 1929, Streil was again promoted from Oberleutnant [First Lieutenant] to Hauptmann [Captain] while he was still serving with the I.R.19. [6][9- Wehrpass]
In the following years he was instrumental in rebuilding the German Army. In 1929 compulsory military service was reintroduced and with it the need for more instructors. On 01.Oct.1934 Streil was posted to the “Infanterie-Schule Dresden” and as of 15.Oct.1935 to the “Kriegs-Truppen-schule München (Military College in Munich) as “Inspektions-chef” [aka “Kompanie-chef” or the Inspector General]. In this capacity he not only held the most authority, but he was also the most popular officer of the school and was largely responsible for running and overseeing the entire facility. Streil remained at this post until 12.Oct.1937. [1][9][10][11]
On 01.Oct.1934 the Reichswehr was expanded and incorporated into the Wehrmacht and the Bavarian Infantry Regiment 19 was re-named Infanterie-Regiment München. [http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/I…nter/IR19-R.htm]
On 01.Aug.1935 Hitler promoted him from Hauptmann [Captain] to Major [9 - pg. 37 & 144][11]
On 12.Oct.1937 Major Streil was made Battalion commander of the II. Bataillon of the Infanterie Regiment 62 (Landshut), which was part of the 7. Infanterie Division. [1][9 - pg.144][11] [http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/I…nter/IR62-R.htm] [http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/I…ionen/7ID-R.htm]
On 01.Apr.1938 he was promoted to Oberstleutnant [Lieutenant Colonel] while still attached to the Infanterie Regiment 62 (I.R.62 Landshut) [Award document w. proxy-stamp signature by Hitler and Field Marshal Walther von Brauchitsch photocopy] [6] [9-pg.110 & Wehrpass pg.144] [11]
The I.R.62 was mobilized from 01. - 10.Oct.1938 in preparation for the Occupation of the Sudetenland. Streil entered Czechoslovakia with his troops and was made temporary “Stadtkommandant” (town commander) of Bergreichenstein [Today: Kašperské Hory] in the Böhmerwald [Bohemian Forest]]. The predominately German-speaking population of the Sudetenland had been made part of the new country Czechoslovakia after WW1. Conditions in the country were poor at best and the German population had suffered under the Czech government. Therefore the German population welcomed the region’s inclusion into the German Reich. The few Czechs living in the region fled after the German occupation. In his capacity as “Stadtkommandant” Streil ordered that a report be written about the conditions of the local population and how they could best be assisted to develop economically. For this and other efforts to better the life of the local population, he was made an honorary citizen of the town in 1938. [9 - Photocopy of document p.116-17 and the report p.118-126] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_oc…_Czechoslovakia]
On 01.Aug.1939 Streil was sent with the German 7. Infanterie Division (7thInfantry Division) to Slovakia where it was fully mobilized for action by 26.Aug.1939. His first action in WW2 was noted on 01.Sept.1939 with the commencement of fighting at the Jablunka/Jablunkov Pass. [9 - Wehrpass] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7th_Infantry_Division_(Wehrmacht)]
As an officer and man, Streil commanded respect from all ranks – from his superiors to the lowest Private. Streil personified the ideal of a German officer (or any military officer for that matter) – by setting the highest demands of courage, gallantry, resoluteness, fairness, consideration and loyalty from himself and from those he commanded. His character was summed up in the idiom with “Er trug den Marschallstab im Tournister!” literally “He carried the marshal’s baton in his knapsack” meaning “He had/showed the potential of being an excellent leader of men”. [11]
Throughout his military career until the day of his death he demonstrated his fearless courage in the face of the enemy. In battle he could always be found at the forefront attacking with his troops - hand grenades in hand. Streil was always striving to improve the efficiency but also the safety of – and for – his troops. [1][2][3][9- pg.2][10][11][13]
His bravery and contribution during the difficult yet short-lived Battle of Prezmy[l (11.-14.Sept.1939) during the invasion in former Galicia in Poland resulted in him being awarded the Clasps to the Iron Cross 1st & 2nd Class (Spangen zum EK I & II). Furthermore he participated in the fighting at Brzuchowice, Poland and up to the demarcation line at Lemberg [Lviv], Ukraine which was occupied by Russian troops invading Poland from the East.[1][6][9-pg.2,130,134][11]
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Przemy%C5%9Bl_(1939)]
On 10.Jan.1940 he was proclaimed “Battaillons Kommandeur” [Commander] of the Infanterie [Grenadier] Regiment 61 by Hitler. [1][6][9-pg.2] [http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/I…nter/IR61-R.htm]
As of the end of January 1940 the IR.61 had been transferred from Poland to the West in the border region around Geilenkirchen in preparation for the fighting in the Netherlands and beyond. On May 10 they advanced crossing over the border and attacking the bunkers along the Juliana Canal beginning the conquest of Netherlands, Belgium and ultimately France.
On 17.May 1940 the I.R.61 was poised to advance further westward, preparing to cross the Charleroi Canal (Senette River), south of Brussels. It had been on the move constantly through Holland and Belgium for an entire week since May 10th crossing the Juliana-Kanal, Hertogenbosch (aka Mass-Schelde-Canal) on same day, Albert Canal on the 11th , St. Trond on the 13th , and Limal an der Dyle by May 15th. They had been marching and fighting non-stop, covering 160 km while getting very little rest. Kommandeur Streil had not slept more than a few hours per night since May 9th. He was up and reviewing the front line by 5:00 am seeing that everything had been put in place to ensure the success of the day’s upcoming battle and the safety of his troops. (Photo above was taken on 17.May and is the last known photograph of him alive) The attack across the Senette was scheduled to begin at 8.30 pm. As the day progressed, the German and French artillery carried on duels attempting to destroy each other’s batteries and guns. That afternoon while he was reviewing the most forward positions and the preparations which had been taken, Streil ran into a sector that was just coming under heavy enemy artillery fire. Bold and fearless as always, he carried on his inspection of the Pionier-Kompanie’s (Engineer Company) preparations to cross the river when he was killed by exploding shells. The battle began and raged on for many hours until after midnight. At 02.00 am on 18.May when there was a lull in the fighting, the mortal remains (only his right hand) of Oberstleutnant Ludwig Streil were buried under a grove of trees on the grounds of near-by Chateau d’Ittre (Ittre in Walloon Brabant Province). The news of Streil’s untimely death spread through the regiment like wild-fire, shocking and saddening the troops. When they commenced their attacks in the following days, “Streil, Streil” was their battle-cry. They were the first companies to cross the canal from the entire Division, and in fact from the entire Corps. [9 - pg. 66, report dated 05.Sept.1941 from Hauptmann Reinhardt on pg.152 and in the reprint of IR 61 diary entry pg.156][10]
On 30.June 1941 Streil was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross [Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes] by Hitler on recommendation of Field Marshal Walther von Brauchitsch. [1][6][9][13]
I am sorry to say that it should be noted that this significant award as well as his other medals and many personal items were stolen by American soldiers when they occupied the town of Penzberg in the closing days of the war, when they were going from house to house taking whatever they wanted.
Later the post-war German police and US Military officials repeatedly visited the family home and confiscated any materials they deemed National Socialistic in nature including most all of his diaries and documents and many other personal effects, even though he was never a Party Member or affiliated with the Party outside of his military career. In fact he was highly critical of the NS regime. None the stolen or confiscated items were ever returned to the family.
[9- Pg.22] and from interviews with surviving son and step-daughter
On 22.Jan.1943 Oberstleutnant [Lieutenant Colonel] Streil was posthumously promoted to the rank of Oberst [Colonel] retroactive to 01.May 1940. [6 -documents ls0077, Is0083, Is0113]
His well-known slogan to his battalion in both wars was: “Gruppe Schwung macht einen Sprung!”(“Forward group with verve and with a leap!”). [10]
Streil’s grave was relocated in 1946-47 when the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) transferred the remains of fallen German soldiers which were provisionally buried throughout Belgium and interred them in the German Military Cemetery at Lommel (Limburg) Row 49 / Grave264
1.) Injuries sustained in WW1 as listed in his military records (Personal Bogen)
From 21.May to 03.June 1916 he was treated for a severely sprained foot in the military hospital at Lycée Chanzy in Charleville-Mézières”, which had previously been a girl’s school.
On 23.June ‘16 he was nearly killed by three machine-gun bullets to the left upper chest, upper arm and left lung as well as shell fragments to his upper back, left arm, left foot and concussion of the chest cavity.
On 25.June ‘16 he was found nearly dead and retrieved from the battle-field and brought to Fort Douaumont [not mentioned in his “Personal-Bogen” record, but added for clarification purposes from diary notes]
On 26.June ‘16 he was transferred to the field-hospital of the 1. Bayerisches Armee Korps [1st Bavarian Army Corps] at Azannes [Azannes-et-Soumazannes]
On 27.June ‘16 he was transferred to the field-hospital at Montmédy
On 29.June ‘16 he was transferred to the Reserve-lazarett (Reserve Hospital) Landau in der Pfalz, Rhine-Palatinate
On 16.July ‘16 he was convalescing in the Vizentius-Stift-Krankenhaus in Landau (hospital) Rhine-Palatinate
To recover completely he was transferred to the Pflegestätte (care facility) “Friedenau” Bad Reichenhall on 21.Oct.16. [4][5]