german army ww1 and ww2

Question

Hello!

I am researching for a family member and his adopted father was (Harro Zuest). It is believed that his real name was Hans and the spelling of the last name was Züst prior to coming over from Europe. I know his fathers name was Bobi or Boby Züst, Bobi was a WW I and WWII German Air Force officer.

I have never researched any people involved in the German army and would really appreciate any information that can be found.

Thank you, Wendy :)

Answer 1

Very tactfully ask the family if they have an Ahnenpaß. If it still exists, it could have five generations of ancestors and identify the sources for each of them.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahnenpass before asking.

Comments

One never can tell how much tactfullness that request should require.  For me it would be none (if I were being asked, because I know it was a historical document,) but for others???

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it is true these are historical documents. However, for some what was in that document could mean the difference between life and death.

Answer 2

Yes, Zuest is an anglicized version of Züst.  Here in WT, there are only 12 Züst and 28 Zuest, both with very high likelihood of coming from Switzerland, Appenzelle region.

There were thousands who served in the German Air Force in WW2.  A quick search didn't show any available lists, but they must be somewhere.

Both first names seem very rare, Harro and Bobi, so those might help your searching.

I would add Germany and Switzerland tags.

Comments

In talking with Chris, he is pretty much convinced that, Bobi/Boby was with the Nazi party and son, Hans/Harro, refused to speak about anything to do with the past, and may have destroyed any records dealing with his past.

Thank you everyone, for your help. Wendy:)