Gefreiter Hans Bogner
2 Company
Bayerische Infantrie Regiment 27
28th September 1918
I would very much like to thank Nick Mol & Phillippe Delameilleure for their kind
permission in letting me reproduce their research into Hans on this site.
You can find more of their work at either their website
or facebook page
Hans Bogner was born on February 20, 1899 in Mantel near Weiden in Northern Bavaria.
Hans was summoned on October 24, 1917 and took the oath on November 4, 1917, in Grafenwöhr, at the Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment 14 (BRIR 14).
He was transferred to Northern France on March 6, 1918. There he was further trained in the Feldrekruten depot of the 9. Bayerische Reserve-Division.
He learned, among other things, how to operate the light Maschinengewehr 08/15. His education ended there on May 20.
From 24 May he was placed at the front during the fighting at Montdidier and Noyon, he fought in the ranks of the 1.MGK / BRIR 14 (1st machine gun company). At the end of June 1918, the 9. Bayerische Reserve-Division (9th) Bavarian Reserve Division) dissolved. From the end of June to mid-August 1918, Hans Bogner served with a temporary unit, the Maschinengewehr-Bataillon "Pöhner", with which he experienced the fighting on the Marne.
On August 16, 1918, this battalion was dissolved and Bogner was transferred to the 2. Company of the Bayerische Infanterie-Regiment 27 (12. Bayerische Infanterie-Division). After a week of training at the 2. Armee, this unit was sent to the Flemish front at the end of August.
Shortly before Hans died, he was promoted to Gefreiter (Corporal).
Gefreiter Hans Bogner was officially reported missing on 28 September 1918, near Zonnebeke. After Georg Krieger declared in an official testimony that Bogner was killed by a grenade explosion on 28 September 1918, Hans was regarded by the military authorities from 24 October 1919 as being killed.
A death certificate was then sent to the civil registry of Mantel, the family was also informed. Georg Krieger was perhaps a close friend of Hans Bogner. The two young men served in the same units since June 23, 1918, and were of the same age. Krieger was taken prisoner on 28 September 1918 and returned to Germany at the end of 1919 via the Dulag Dülmen, where he also made the official statement about the death of his fighter Hans Bogner.
It is true that Hans Bogner stayed here to protect the retreat of his unit, or if he was alone is not so obvious because an MG-Crew usually consisted of four men, but the light machine gun Maxim 08/15 could be served one man.
He did cause losses with his machine gun in the Scottish ranks that enclosed him bit by bit on September 28, 1918, and finally sent him to the hereafter, is correct. Two Scottish soldiers who are buried close to Hans Bogner's grave, who also died on 28 September 1918. Pte R McPhee (Cameron Highlanders) and Pte R Christie (Royal Scots Fusiliers). Perhaps were both victims of the strong resistance of Hans Bogner?
Georg Krieger a comrade of Hans later testified after his captivity that he had seen that Hans was killed by an artillery shell. So if had Hans really been alone, his comrade would not have seen how his friend Hans died.