WW2 German Kriegsmarine SIGNED DEATH LETTER DR OTTO TARNOW SIMFEROPOL

Issued from Marine-Lazarett Simferopol in the Crimea and addressed directly to Looft's wife, the letter is personally signed by Flottenarzt Dr. Otto Siegfried Tarnow, who at the time was serving as Chief Physician of the Naval Hospital. Marine-Lazarett Simferopol had begun operating in the Crimea in December 1942, treating Kriegsmarine personnel and other servicemen wounded or taken ill in the Black Sea theater. Otto Siegfried Tarnow became its Chief Physician in February 1943 and remained there until September of that year. He subsequently served as senior medical officer on the staff of Admiral Schwarzes Meer and was promoted to Admiralarzt on March 1, 1944.

This letter records the fate of Sanitätsmaat Oskar Looft, who was admitted to the hospital on March 30, 1943 with severe abdominal and leg wounds suffered during an air attack. Despite immediate surgery and a brief improvement, he developed severe cardiac and circulatory weakness and died peacefully on April 1, 1943.

Made of period wartime paper, this original typed letter is in VERY GOOD condition considering its age! It retains the original Feldpost office designation Dienststelle Feldp. 08537, the April 1, 1943 date, and the large original handwritten signature of Dr.

Otto Siegfried Tarnow above his typed rank of Flottenarzt. Expected folds, edge wear, small tears and age toning are present, but the text and signature remain clear and highly displayable. On March 30, 1943, your husband, Sanitätsmaat Oskar Looft, was admitted to the naval hospital here with severe abdominal and leg wounds following an air attack. An operation performed immediately brought a brief improvement in his condition; however, as a consequence of the severity of his wounds, considerable weakness of the heart and circulation soon developed, which despite every measure could not be overcome.

On April 1, 1943, your husband then fell gently and peacefully asleep. He endured his wounds with extraordinary courage and in an exemplary manner, and until the very end believed in his speedy recovery. I would like to express to you my sincere sympathy for your grievous loss and hope that, in time, you may find consolation in your bereavement. The Chief Physician, [signed] Dr. An EXCEPTIONAL original Kriegsmarine casualty document from the Eastern Front/Black Sea theater, directly associated with Marine-Lazarett Simferopol and signed by a senior German naval physician who later attained Admiralarzt rank!

PERFECT for any Kriegsmarine, medical, Feldpost, Black Sea, Crimea, autograph or World War II collection or display!

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