A scarce Guard-Fusilier-Regiment, Imperial German Army Pickelhaube with associated death poster size documents to Lt. Bernhard Bottcher (1979- 1915)
Born on 20 September 1879 at Trebnitz, Brandenburg, Bernhard Böttcher was the son of a railway official. Following his education at the Prussian Non-Commissioned Officer Preparatory School at Neubreisach, he enlisted in the prestigious 7th Company, Garde-Fusilier-Regiment.
A capable and respected professional soldier, Böttcher served as a shooting instructor (Schießunteroffizier) before rising to the rank of Feldwebel (Sergeant Major). In April 1910 he left active military service to become an official with the renowned Borsig Locomotive Works in Tegel, Berlin.
With the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, Böttcher was immediately recalled to military service. Initially serving as an Offizier-Stellvertreter (Deputy Officer) with the regiment's Replacement Battalion, he was commissioned Lieutenant der Reserve on 10 September 1914. His leadership and experience quickly earned him command of the 5th Company, reflecting the confidence placed in him by his superiors.
During the summer of 1915, the German Army advanced across Galicia following the successful Gorlice–Tarnów Offensive, one of the decisive campaigns on the Eastern Front. On 23 July 1915, while serving with the 5th Company, Garde-Fusilier-Regiment, Lieutenant Bernhard Böttcher was mortally wounded near Wierzslow, Galicia, at just 35 years of age. Contemporary regimental histories record that he "died a hero's death" (Helden Tod), although surviving documentation suggests his fatal wounds may have resulted from an accidental incident while on active operations.
Böttcher was awarded the Iron Cross, Second Class (Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse) for his wartime service.
The memorial display includes his official patriotic memorial print (Gedenkblatt) bearing the biblical inscription from 1 John 3:16:
"How should we also lay down our lives for our brethren."
Also preserved is an uncommon artistic original pen & ink depiction of his original battlefield grave, surrounded by floral wreaths shortly after his burial, together with a contemporary Or’s Pickelhaube, representing his Regiment.
This display commemorates the service and sacrifice of one of Germany's professional Guards soldiers whose career spanned the final years of the Imperial Army before ending on the battlefields of the Eastern Front.
VF+ $2500
