In Memory ofWalter HillebrechtMy father, Walter Gustav Ludwig HILLEBRECHT was born on 7th July 1914 in Grone, now a suburb of Göttingen. Since the 27th June 1944 he is missing in action as a German soldier in Mogilev, Byelorussia during the Second World War in the battle of the eastern front - just a few days before his 30th birthday. It is assumed that he died there.Like his father Hermann Hillebrecht he died in a war, too soon, before he could build up something lasting. These lines shall commemorate him.
Walter grew up in Grone. He loved to play soccer and played for the Soccer Club FC Grone. After school he learnt
the trade of a salesman in a hardware shop in Göttingen. The great
depression, labour- and military service interrupted his career several
times.
Walter Hillebrecht was a NCO (Unteroffizier) in the III. Abt., Artillerie Regiment 31, 31st Infantrie Division and most likely died in the fighting around Mogilev, Belarus on the 27th June, 1944 or the following days. His last Field Post Office Number (Feldpostnummer) was 13414 A. The last message
about him from a comrade mentions the 27th June, 1944, 1600 hours in
Mogilev.
He was participant and victim in a senseless war that cost 50 million their lives. All had a name that was dear to their loved ones. His was Walter Hillebrecht.
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Walter
was two years old when his father died in action in the First World War.
His mother, Luise Hillebrecht, born Beinhorn, later married Robert Pieper,
who became a good stepfather to him.
In
1937 he married Else Luise Frida Elisabeth Hische in Grone. They
had two sons. The picture shows Walter Hillebrecht, his wife Else and the
two sons. It was taken on the 16th January 1943 on his last home
leave. The smaller of the two sons is the writer of these lines.