Two Albums Honoring the Life of Ernst Topeters

German WWII > Documents > Other > Photography

Wow what a great group! For the collector who loves research this is it! Plenty of photos and condolence letters. Ernst Topeters was born on October 17, 1916 and passed December 11, 1941 at the age of 25. Topeters was an early member of the Hitler Youth, having joined prior to 1933 and received the Gold Hitler Youth Honor Badge. He received the rank of HJ.-Gefolgschaftsführer in der Reichsjugendfuhrung. Upon his death Baldur von Schirach, wrote and signed a condolence letter to his family stating he was “proud of him (and he was) … a role model for the Hitler youth…”. Topeters went to the Berlin University of Technology (Cand.-Ing. Der Technischen Hochschule Berlin), where he was the head of the student council in 1939 and “the best professional in his year”. Topeters later served in the Infantry Regiment 77 (Schütze beim I.R. 77 Bonn.), and later became Leutnant and Leader of Intelligence and Reconnaissance (Leutnant und Fuhrer des Nachrichten zuges in einer Aufklärungs Abteilung (Abt 106)). During his service he had achieved the EKI, EKII, Infantry Assault Badge, Wound Badge, and the Gold Hitler Youth Badge. You can also see him wearing the DRL Sports Badge in several photos. Topeters was clearly a devout member of the NSDAP. His cover reads: “Life is not the most important thing, more important is that after us Germany will shine” (Zu Leben ist ja nicht das Wichtigste, wichtiger ist, dass nach uns Deutschland glanzen wird). His family: Friedrich Topeters (father), Ottilie van Laack (mother), Paul Topeters (brother) SS-Sturmann in the Waffen-SS, Fritz Topeters (brother) Oberleutnant und Batt.-Chef in the Kroat. Ers. Rgt. 369 (kroatische Infanterie-Regiment 369) – Click on the link! and Oskar Topeters (brother) and his wife (Elisabeth Topeters). For the collector who loves research this is it!