Heinrich Bernau
| Heinrich Bernau | |
| Born | 18 December 1889 Eisenstadt, Korbach, Rotgeheim |
| Died | 20 January 1913 (aged 23) Auerbach, Hundermenschen |
| Allegiance | Rotgeheim |
| Service/branch |  Waffen-Verteidigungsstaffel
|
| Years of Service | 1907 – 1913 |
| Rank | Scharführer (Sergeant) |
| Unit | 1st Company, 5th Reconnaissance Battalion, 5th VS-Panzer Division Wiking |
| Battles/wars | 10 Days War |
Heinrich Friedrich Bernau (18 December 1889 – 20 January 1913), was a Rotgeheiman Scharführer (Sergeant) in the Verteidigungsstaffel. He is known for being the first Rotgeheiman serviceman to die in the 10 Days War.
Bernau was the driver for an armored car in an ill-fated scouting mission for the 5th VS-Panzer Division Wiking near Auerbach, Hundermenschen, on 20 January 1913. The column came under intense small arms and anti-tank fire as soon as they entered the town. Three of the armored cars, including the one driven by Bernau, were immediately disabled. Bernau opened the door of his vehicle and began returning fire, but the voluminous fire shelled out by the enemy forces was too much. When Bernau attempted to relocate to the rear of the vehicle for a safer firing position, he was gunned down by an enemy machine gun. Witnesses reported that he died instantly.
The armored car that Bernau drove was the same one commanded by Hauptsturmführer Edwin Baumstein, who was also struck down in the same battle minutes later.
As is tradition in Rotgeheim, Bernau was given a state funeral to honor his sacrifice as the first serviceman killed in action in his respective conflict. In attendance were many military leaders and government officials, including Kaiser Rudolf Geske.
