Bavarian Bravery for a Medic

[Chris Boonzaier]

The farmer Josef Keitler was born on the 20.08.1886 in Oberkammlach. He served in the 12. Bay. Inf. Regt from 21.10.1908 – 23.09.1910 and was trained as a stretcher bearer.

 

On the 03.08.1914 he mobilised as a reservist in the 10. Kp. Res. Inf. Regt. 3

 

With his unit he participated in the following actions

 

20.08.14 – 22.08.14 Schlacht in Lothringen

22.08.14 -14.09.14 Schlacht vor Nancy-Epinal

26.08.14 – 27.08.14 Einnahme von Fort Manonviller

30.09.14 – 01.10.14 Gefecht bei Douai

01.10.14 – 13.10.14 Schlacht bei Arras

14.10.14 – 23.06.16 Stellungskämpfe im Artois

20.10.14 – 10.12.14 Kämpfe um Maison-Blanche (Nördl. Arras u. Ecurie)

20.10.14 – 27.10.14 Erstürmung von St. Laurent und Maison-Blanche

14.12.14 – 24.12.14 Dezemberschlacht in Franz. Flandern

04.01.15 – 20.01.15 Gefechte bei Ecurie

17.02.15 – 19.02.15 Gefechte bei Roclincourt

09.05.15 – 23.07.15 Schlacht bei La Bassee und Arras

25.09.15 – 13.10.15 Herbstschlacht bei La Bassee und Arras

24.06.16 – 07.07.16 Erkundungs u. Demonstrationsgefechte d. VI. Armee (in Zusammenhang mit der schlacht an der Somme)

07.07.16 – 10.08.16 Stellungskämpfe im Artois

11.08.16 – 09.09.16 Schlacht an der Somme

10.09.16 – 01.12.16 Kämpfe an der Aisne

02.12.16 – 01.02.17 Stellungskämpfe an der Somme

01.02.17 – 13.02.17 Stellungskämpfe in Fr. Flandern u. Artois

 

On the 13.02.17 he admitted the Field Hospital at Templeuve with an undefined illness. It is possible that he suffered from Shellshock as physical sickness is usually mentioned in the records. On the 19.09.17 he was attached to the forestry department in Oberkammlach where he stayed until the end of the war. In November 1918 he was demobilized.

 

Awards

 

07.05.15 Bavarian Militärverdienstkreuz with swords 3^rd class

20.08.16 Bavarian Silver Bravery Medal

20.09.16 Iron Cross 2^nd class

 

Citation

 

On the night of the 19.08.1916, during the Battle on the Somme, the III. Batl. Bay. Res. Inf. Regt. 3 received orders to leave their positions in the Bellowstellung and advance to the German 2^nd defense line to work on the emplacements. While passing through Martinpuich the 10. Komp. Came under heavy artillery fire at 03:00am. The barrage lasted for one hour and the 10. Komp suffered heavy losses. While everyone was seeking cover behind the houses stretcherbearer Keitler was the only man to brave the heavy artillery fire and remain with the wounded offering first aid. After he had bandaged the wounded he called for the help of a comrade who helped him bring the wounded to the Aid Post. He then returned to his company.

 

For his actions he was awarded the Bavarian Silberne Tapferkeitsmedaille

 

[spolei]

Thank you for the presentation of his vita.
This is not your kind of collection, he was not a Leiber and he was not in Verdun ?