[Ger-Poland-Volhynia] Siegfried Oelke

[Beth Burke]

Siegfried Oelke born 5 Oct 1916, was conscripted into the German Army and died shortly thereafter on 28 May 1940 in Wormhoudt, France.  The date of his death coincides with the Wormhoudt Massacre, when the Germans massacred 80 British and French POW's.  

I have recently learned that Siegfried's mother, Florentine Lieske Oelke, and my grandmother, Berta Lieske Friedrich were sisters.  (Yes, I have found 5 living 2nd cousins, plus their family members.)

The only photograph that my 2nd cousins (who never met Siegfried) have was taken when he was 10 years old.

Is anyone aware as to whether there are records for German WWII soldiers?  I would presume that at the time he was conscripted, pertinent information would have been obtained, along with a photograph of him.

I realize this is a stretch, and I have not spoken to my cousins about this.  I have just recently received confirmation of where he is now buried....something they did not know.  If there were additional records stored (maybe?) in Germany that are accessible, I could try to see what is available.

The problem is that I don't know if such records exist, and if so, where they would be stored.  If anyone has any suggestions, I would be grateful for any information you could provide.  (Of course, if you actually HAD the records and they contained a photo of Siegfried, I would be way more than grateful!)

Beth Burke
Verona, WI