- "...or laugh at their stupidity!"
- ―Oetzmann[src]
Oetzmann[1] was a captain in the German army, serving in the area of Verdun during World War I. In September 1916, he and his fellow officer, Hans Lehmann served in a German command bunker in the trenches in the Battle of Verdun. While enjoying a cup of tea one evening, Lehmann expressed his desire to have a chance with Oetzmann's lover, Heidi. Oetzmann shrugged his friend off with a laugh. As they continued to joke, Lehmann heard a noise outside, and Oetzmann summoned a German corporal to investigate it.[2]
With the soldier dismissed, Oetzmann leaned in to confirm a rumor that Lehmann had heard. Lehmann stated that his brother-in-law had overheard two generals mentioning that they were bringing in two Big Bertha guns that night. Not aware that a French spy was listening to their conversation, they joked about having the French army meeting the two lovely "German girls." It is not known whether Oetzmann survived after a grenade thrown by the spy ignited several boxes of explosives near the bunker.[2]
Behind the scenes[]
Oscar Freitag is credited with the role of the German Officer #1 in "Verdun, September 1916".[3]
The surname Oetzmann is mentioned in the The Day of Destiny[1] but sources attribute two different forenames: Gunter in The Mata Hari Affair[4], and Klausi in comic adaptation of the TV episode.[5]
In the comic adaptation, Klausi has a combed-over hairstyle, and does not wear a helmet.[5]
Appearances[]
- The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles – "Verdun, September 1916" → Demons of Deception
- Verdun, September 1916 comic
- Field of Death
- The Day of Destiny
- The Mata Hari Affair