Person Page 16

Christoph Wolf^1,2,3,4,5,6

Photo of Christoph Wolf, May 1957. (Photo: robsgenealogy.net)

Facts and Notes

• Name:^7,8
• Religious Affiliation: Roman Catholic⁹
• Birth: 17 October 1886; Burggaillenreuth, Forchheim, Bavaria, GermanyBGO; No 115^{2,10,1,11,3,12,13,14}
• Birth: 18 October 1886; Forchheim, Bavaria, GermanyBGO^8,7
• Legal: 1908; Forchheim, Bavaria, GermanyBGO; Arrested for “gross mischief” and spent two days in jail. The specific cause is unknown, but it would have stemmed from an act sufficient to draw the attention of the authorities yet minor enough to result in only a brief imprisonment.⁸
• Occupation: Between 1910 and 1917; Forchheim, Bavaria, GermanyBGO; Cement worker⁷
• Marriage: 16 September 1910; Henriette Friedmann; Forchheim, Bavaria, GermanyBGO; Christoph's brother and factory worker, 31-year-old Konrad, and the stonemason Johann Pfeufer, a 22-year-old Forchheim resident, were the groomsmen.^7,15
• Residence: 1914; Forchheim, Bavaria, GermanyBGO; Age: 28^7,8
• Description: 1915; He was 5' 4.5" tall (1m 64cm)⁸
• Military: Between 1915 and 1918; FranceBG; See notes section^7,8,16,9,17
• Residence: 1921; Forchheim, Bavaria, GermanyBGO; StreetAddress: Fuchsenstrasse 1⁵
• Occupation: Between 1921 and 1926; Forchheim, Bavaria, GermanyBGO; Cement worker^5,4
• Occupation: Between 19 September 1921 and 4 January 1945; Weber & Ott, Forchheim, Bavaria, GermanyBG; Age: 34-58; Master Weaver^10,9
• Residence: 1926; Forchheim, Bavaria, GermanyBGO; StreetAddress: Fuchsenstrasse 1⁴
• Residence: 1932; Forchheim, Bavaria, GermanyBGO; StreetAddress: Fuchsenstrasse 1⁶
• Occupation: 1932; Forchheim, Bavaria, GermanyBGO; Factory worker (weaver?)⁶
• Residence: 30 May 1936; Buckenhofen, Forchheim, Bavaria, GermanyBGO; Age: 49¹⁰
• Retirement: Between 4 January 1945 and 26 August 1946; He was working as late as 4 Jan 1945, and had retired by 26 Aug 1945, according to his "Arbeitsbuch" and "Kennkarte"^3,10
• Description: 26 August 1946; 5 foot 3 inches (161 cm) tall with a slim build and blue eyes³
• Death: 19 January 1962; Erlangen, Bavaria, GermanyBGO; Age: 75^2,11,18,14
• Burial: 23 January 1962; Friedhof Forchheim an der Birkenfelderstr (Old Cemetery), Forchheim, Bavaria, GermanyBGO; The funeral services were held at 8 AM in St. Martin church, and the burial took place at 2:30 PM.^1,19

• Note: A Summary of Christoph Wolf’s Wartime Experiences Based on his Service Record:
  
  Enlistment and Training (March–April 1915): On March 1, 1915, 28-year-old Christoph Wolf volunteered for active service, leaving behind his wife and two young children in Forchheim. He trained at the Ingolstadt recruitment depot and was assigned as a pioneer (combat engineer) in the 2nd Company of the 3rd Bavarian Ersatz Battalion, along with fellow enlistee Jakob Kraus. His skills as a cement worker made him well-suited to the pioneer role, which involved constructing trenches, fortifications, and handling explosives.
  
  Deployment to Apremont-la-Forêt (April–October 1915): Christoph arrived at the front in the devastated Apremont sector in the Saint-Mihiel salient. Life in the trenches was harsh—muddy, rat-infested, and punctuated by artillery, disease, and fatigue. He participated in mine warfare and narrowly escaped a French mining operation in July. That same month, Christoph’s unit helped thwart a French offensive and launched a successful counterattack. He remained in Apremont until early October when he was transferred to Champagne.
  
  The Champagne Front and Illness (October–December 1915): Arriving in the wake of a failed French offensive, Christoph served in brutal conditions marked by white chalk dust, heavy shelling, and unsanitary trenches. The exposure took a toll on his health, and in early November, he was hospitalized with bronchitis and rheumatism. He rejoined his unit only after the fighting had subsided.
  
  Return to Apremont and Winter Illness (December 1915–March 1916): Christoph returned to Apremont, enduring the winter in miserable, freezing conditions. In January 1916, he developed a severe skin infection (furunculosis), requiring hospitalization. He did not return to duty until March 2, 1916.
  
  Quiet Months and Growing Tensions (Spring–Summer 1916): Although Apremont remained relatively quiet, Christoph and his comrades continued to face periodic bombardments, patrols, and worsening weather conditions. By early July, rumors of a major redeployment surfaced. On July 14, his unit was transferred to the Artois sector in anticipation of a possible expansion of the Battle of the Somme.
  
  Battle of the Somme (September 1916): Christoph’s unit was sent to the Somme on September 5, where he experienced some of the war’s fiercest fighting. His unit endured tank assaults, relentless shelling, and high casualties. After two grueling weeks, they were sent to French Flanders, which, despite its own dangers, felt like a reprieve.
  
  Flanders and Promotion Winter 1916–Spring 1917: Christoph spent the winter and early spring of 1917 in Flanders. Though relatively quieter, trench life remained brutal. He was promoted to überzähliger Gefreiter (roughly Private First Class) on February 27, 1917, in recognition of his reliability and service.
  
  Arras, Illness, and Decoration (May–July 1917): On May 3, Christoph’s unit was relocated to Arras, where he assisted in stabilizing the German lines. In June, he fell ill with intestinal catarrh but quickly recovered. He soon returned to action, participating in the Battle of Oppy, a British feint attack on June 28. For his role, Christoph was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class on July 15. He remained in Arras until July 8, when he was transferred back to Flanders.
  
  Passchendaele Offensive (July–December 1917): Christoph endured the Third Battle of Ypres (also known as Passchendaele) from July to November. Flooded trenches, gas attacks, and relentless artillery made this one of the war’s most grueling campaigns. He was promoted again on December 10, 1917, to Gefreiter.
  
  Injury and Recovery (January–April 1918): In January 1918, Christoph injured his left middle finger, which later required partial amputation. He was hospitalized for nearly three months and released on April 15.
  
  Return to the Line and Final Offensives (April–November 1918): Returning to duty, Christoph served in holding positions following the failed German Spring Offensive. In July, he contracted the Spanish flu and suffered elbow pain, remaining hospitalized until July 27. He then took part in a series of retreats across northern France and Belgium as the Allies advanced. His last significant engagement was in Cambrai and Tournai, where he earned the Merit Cross III Class with Swords on October 16.
  
  War’s End and Demobilization (November 1918–January 1919): Still in Belgium, when the war ended on November 11, Christoph remained there until December 12, then returned to Germany. He was formally discharged from service in Erlangen on January 9, 1919, after reporting heart problems and rheumatism. He was issued discharge clothing and travel funds and finally sent home to Forchheim after nearly four years of continuous military service.
  

• Related Pages: Ancestors of Marianne Bauer; Forchheim Town Cemetery List of People; Veterans

Citations

1. [S533] Grave Marker, Alter Friedhof an der Birkenfelderstr (Forchheim, Germany), Bauer-Wolf Family Gravestone.
2. [S757] Memorial Card, In memory of Christoph Wolf, Published by F.A. Streit (Forchheim, Germany), 1962.
3. [S749] Wolf, Christoph, Deutsche Kennkarte (German Identity Card), Card number 3184; Issued in Forchheim, Oberfranken, Bavaria, Germany on 26 August 1946; date of expiration: 26 August 1951
4. [S793] Ancestry.com, Germany and Surrounding Areas, Address Books, 1815-1974, https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=60778&h=49237825&indiv=try, Deutsche Nationalbibliothek; Leipzig, Deutschland; Publisher: R. Lang; Bestand: 1926; Signatur: Za 3428, Record for Christoph Wolf
5. [S793] Ancestry.com, Germany and Surrounding Areas, Address Books, 1815-1974, https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=60778&h=49234792&indiv=try, Deutsche Nationalbibliothek; Leipzig, Deutschland; Publisher: R. Lang; Bestand: 1921; Signatur: Za 3428, Record for Christof Wolf
6. [S793] Ancestry.com, Germany and Surrounding Areas, Address Books, 1815-1974, https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=60778&h=49241371&indiv=try, Deutsche Nationalbibliothek; Leipzig, Deutschland; Publisher: Otto Mauser; Bestand: 1932; Signatur: Za 3428, Record for Christof Wolf
7. [S485] Ancestry.com, Bavaria, Germany, WWI Personnel Rosters, 1914-1918, http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=BavariaWWI&h=3727074&indiv=try, Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv; Munchen; Abteilung IV Kriegsarchiv. Kriegstammrollen, 1914-1918; Volume: 16145. Kriegsstammrolle: Bd. 1, Record for Christof Wolf
8. [S485] Ancestry.com, Bavaria, Germany, WWI Personnel Rosters, 1914-1918, http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=BavariaWWI&h=3905877&indiv=try, Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv; Munchen; Abteilung IV Kriegsarchiv. Kriegstammrollen, 1914-1918; Volume: 16654. Kriegsstammrolle: Bd. 3, Record for Christof Wolf
9. [S762] Personal Recollection, Marianne Bauer Reyes provided this information to Robert Reyes in the late 1990s.
10. [S788] Official Document, Arbeitsbuch (Work Record) (Arbeitsamt, Bamberg, Deutsches Reich), Nr 287/34713, issued on 30 May 1936. Record for Christoph Wolf.
11. [S779] Personal Family Tree, Handwritten notes about the Wolf family provided by Marianne Bauer Reyes, circa 1996.
12. [S771] Official Records, Standesamt Forchheim (Forchheim Registry Office), Geburtsregister (Birth Registry) 1886, No. 195. Record for Christoph Wolf., This information resulted from research completed by Edgar Hubrich, a professional genealogist based in Forchheim, Germany, for Robert Reyes in July 2020.
13. [S771] Official Records, Stadtarchiv Forchheim (Forchheim City Archives), Einzeichnungsbogen (Residency Record), No. 39. Record for Johann Wolf., This information resulted from research completed by Edgar Hubrich, a professional genealogist based in Forchheim, Germany, for Robert Reyes in November 2020.
14. [S762] Personal Recollection, Interview of Ted Reyes by Robert Reyes, 10 Sep 2003.
15. [S771] Official Records, Standesamt Forchheim (Forchheim Registry Office), Heiratsregister (Marriage Registry) 1910, No. 60. Record for Christoph Wolf and Henriette Friedmann., This information resulted from research completed by Edgar Hubrich, a professional genealogist based in Forchheim, Germany, for Robert Reyes in November 2020.
16. [S725] Genealogy.net (compgen.de), http://des.genealogy.net/eingabe-verlustlisten/search, Verlustlisten 1 WK (Casualty List for World War 1); Search results for Christoph Wolf, Ort Forchheim, Oberfr., Page Number 22740, Ausgabe 1807, Datum 1918-02-16, Liste Bavaria 376; http://des.genealogy.net/eingabe-verlustlisten/search: accessed 1 April 2017, The URL for the search result is http://files.genealogy.net/verlustlisten/22740.jpeg; however, the following disclaimer is on the search results page: "Please note that the DES is a data entry system. The data shown here is just a working state. Therefore the current URL should not be used for references. After the transcription has been finished the data will be exported to a system that allows permanent referencing of the information"
17. [S884] Robert R. Reyes, Our German Heritage
18. [S771] Official Records, Standesamt Erlangen (Erlangen Registry Office), Sterberegister (Death Registry) 1962, No. 73. Record for Christoph Wolf., This information resulted from research completed by Edgar Hubrich, a professional genealogist based in Forchheim, Germany, for Robert Reyes in November 2020.
19. [S36] Newspapers and Periodicals, Newspaper and Date of Publication Unknown (Would have been a local Forchheim papers published between 20 and 22 January 1962). Funeral Announcement for Christoph Wolf.