Ludwig Weber (1924 – 1944) was a German soldier who served as a Gefreiter (Private) in the Wehrmacht during World War II. Ludwig joined the army in the early years of the war, motivated by a desire to bring honor and glory to his family. With hopes of returning home after what he believed would be his final deployment to France, Ludwig was stationed alongside Feldwebel Werner Rachtman. He was killed by a gunshot to his head by a member of the Basterds following their capture and Weber’s attempt to run.
Early Life[]
Ludwig Weber was born on March 12, 1924, in Nuremberg, Germany. Growing up in a family with a strong sense of duty and nationalism, Ludwig's father, a former soldier in the Great War, instilled a deep sense of honor and pride in his son. From an early age, Ludwig felt compelled to join the Wehrmacht and serve his country, driven by a desire to bring glory to his family’s name.
He was part of a generation that was eagerly encouraged to fight for the Third Reich, often motivated by idealized notions of military glory and patriotism. Ludwig’s youthful enthusiasm to prove himself made him an easy recruit for the army in 1942, at the age of 18.
Military Career[]
Ludwig’s service began in 1942, and he was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division, one of the most seasoned units in the German Army. His role was that of a Gefreiter (Private), a junior enlisted soldier who quickly found himself entrenched in the realities of war. Unlike many of his comrades, Ludwig was not a hardened veteran; he was young, eager, and still clinging to the ideals of glory and honor.
Ludwig’s first deployment was to France in 1944, which he believed would be his last. He had heard rumors of a possible end to the conflict on the Western Front, and he hoped this would be the final stretch of his service, after which he could return home with an Iron Cross 2nd Class, which he had earned through his actions in battle. The younger soldiers in his unit, including Butz, admired him for his dedication, even though they knew the war’s tide was turning. His sergeant, Rachtman, respected him but found him eager at times and said to always look out of the worst.
Invasion of France (1944)[]
Upon arrival in France, Ludwig participated in various reconnaissance and defensive operations along the Western Front. His division was stationed in Territoire de Belfort, near the German-French border. There, they faced increasing pressure from Allied forces, and the possibility of a German retreat loomed large.
It was during one of these tense patrols in rural France that Ludwig, alongside his superior Feldwebel Werner Rachtman and Butz, were captured by the Basterds—a notorious guerilla group of American Jewish soldiers known for their brutal treatment of German prisoners.
Capture and Demise[]
On the fateful day of their capture, Ludwig, Rachtman, and Butz were taken by the Basterds while attempting to flee through the forested area of Territoire de Belfort. The trio were forced into a grim confrontation with Lieutenant Aldo Raine and his men, who sought information about German troop movements. Rachtman, ever the disciplined soldier, refused to cooperate with his captors, opting instead for martyrdom.
As Donny "The Bear Jew" Donowitz brutally executed Rachtman, Ludwig found himself terrified of suffering the same fate. In an impulsive moment, fueled by fear and panic, he attempted to escape. In a desperate bid for survival, Ludwig made a break for the nearby woods, hoping to be shot by the Basterds rather than face the violent death met by his comrades.
Just as he rose to run, Weber was shot dead by Sgt. Hirschberg, a fellow Basterd, who had been assigned the task of guarding prisoners. Hirschberg’s actions, although swift, were seen as unnecessary by Raine who wanted to interrogate Weber and make Donowitz kill him in the same matter as Rachtman was.
Ludwig's brief moment of fear and desperation sealed his fate, ending his young life at the age of 20. His parents never received his body.