Karl Lang, Killed in Action, May 23, 1944

Karl Lang was my father's younger brother, the son of Max and Theresia Lang of Raymore, Saskatchewan. Karl Lang and Rudy Deutsch were neighbours and Rudy claimed he was a distant cousin. In WWII, Rudy served as a stretcher-bearer with Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry I(PPCLI), while Karl was in the infantry with the Loyal Edmontonians. Both men survived the battle of Ortona, Italy, but Karl was killed in the battle of the Hitler Line in the Liri Valley in May, 1944. By sheer chance, Rudy discovered Karl's body after the fierce battle. I interviewed Rudy for my book, Felizienthal, in 2015 in his home in Red Deer, Alberta. He died in October of that year, aged 92.

[@Elizcunning]

Thank you for the story. I keep looking for stories from this day. My great uncle Lawrence Peters was killed that day during the battle at the hitler line. Also born in Saskatchewan and part of the PPCLI. He too rests at Cassino. RIP to all.

[@dotsch62]

You are most welcome. I hope to have the full interview with Rudy Deutsh online before too long. He tells the story very well--more details than I could share in the video. The CBC archives has a great radio broadcast by Matthew Halton, recorded during the battle. Karl ended up in the Loyal Edmontonians likely because he signed up in Vancouver, but I don't know the connection. I tell this whole story, including Ortona, in my book, Felizienthal, which is available in electronic form on Amazon, as part of the chapter, "Casualties of War." I think Canadians need to know more about both battles and of the overall role these men played in the war. RIP to all, indeed.

[@timcolledge6813]

RIP Karl Lang
RIP Rudy Deutsch

[@timcolledge6813]

Lest we forget

[@dotsch62]

Indeed. Especially, these days.