Edwin Baumstein
| Edwin Baumstein | |
 | |
| Hauptmann Edwin Baumstein | |
| Born | 15 April 1879 Güstrow, Finnmarck, Rotgeheim |
| Died | 20 January 1913 (aged 33) Auerbach, Hundermenschen |
| Allegiance | Rotgeheim |
| Service/branch |  Waffen-Verteidigungsstaffel
|
| Years of Service | 1898 – 1913 |
| Rank | Hauptmann (Captain) |
| Commands Held | 1st Company, 5th Reconnaissance Battalion, |
| Battles/wars | 10 Days War |
| Spouse(s) | Petra Tischendorf (1899 – 1913; his death) |
| Relations | Eckhardt Baumstein (father) Rudolf (son) |
Edwin Baumstein (15 April 1879 – 20 January 1913) was an officer in the Verteidigungsstaffel of Rotgeheim. He was born to Rotgeheiman General Eckhardt Baumstein. Baumstein was a Hauptmann (Captain) and in command of the 1st Company, 5th Reconnaissance Battalion, 5th VS-Panzer Division Wiking.
Personal Life
From an early age Edwin was influenced by his father, a prominent Rotgeheiman officer in charge of the IV VS-Panzerkorps. In 1897 Edwin joined the Verteidigungsstaffel as a Leutnant (Second Lieutenant), in charge of a platoon of armor in Wiking. While on leave from his duty station in Torgau he met young woman named Petra Tischendorf, to whom he became married in 1899. In 1905 he was promoted to Obersturmführer (First Lieutenant). In 1910 he had been promoted to Hauptsturmführer and was placed in charge of a company of reconnaissance troops in the 5th VS-Panzer Division. His first son, Rudolf, was born on 3 January 1906; their second son, Timo, was born on 17 July 1908.
10 Days War
Battle of Bloody Gulch
During the 10 Days War, Edwin's division was a part of the II VS-Panzerkorps that was the first unit to engage in action with Porantan forces. On 20 January the 5th VS-Panzer Division Wiking was assigned to spearhead the advance of the II VS-Panzerkorps against the Porantan defensive positions. Baumstein's reconnaissance company was tasked with scouting the small village of Auerbach to investigate the locals' reports that Porantan troops had been sighted in the area. Edwin and a small patrol of armored reconnaissance vehicles were dispatched to the town to determine if the intelligence was correct.
Death
As soon as the small column of five armored cars arrived to the town, however, they came under fire. Three of the cars were immediately disabled by enemy fire. A fourth attempted to flee to contact help, but was destroyed by a Porantan handheld anti-tank weapon. Edwin rallied his men in defensive positions in a ditch behind the road the column was located on, and he himself utilized a 20 mm anti-personnel cannon mounted on one of the disabled armored cars to provide covering fire. Baumstein remained on this weapon until he was shot and killed by a Porantan sniper. He was killed instantly. Baumstein died on 20 January 1913, the first day of combat.
