On 8th August 1944, Michael Wittmann was declared missing in action. This is a copy of the summary note issued, providing key details and date stamped 9th October 1944. When a body was found a death notification was usually issued immediately, but as Wittmann’s body was never found by his colleagues he was listed as missing in action (Vermisst).

This is a standard form, with the core details typed and additional information written in pencil. Handwritten parts are represented in italics in the translation below. The form actually looks like a release chit, in that the term released (Entlassen am) is used in the form itself, with the word “missing” (vermisst) having to be added in pencil next to the date.

[Translation]

Section 1, Personal Details

Unit: [redacted] SS Leader [corrected, stamped]
Surname: Wittmann [record number 71082, stamped] ‘Swords bearer’^{[Note 1]}
First Name: Michael
Date of Birth: 22.4.14. SS Number: [blank]
Service Grade (Rank): [corrected] Hauptsturmführer SS-Leader [stamped]

Section 2, MIA Details

Released: 8.8.44 missing [9 October 1944, stamped]
Reason: [blank]

Note 1. Schwerterträger