With thanks to Jurgen Verhulst, Richard Houghton, Maria Coates, Mark
Bristow, Frank Milautzcki, Arjan Kapteijn and Vittorio Valentino for
their help in finding information about Robert.
Robert Zellermeyer (or perhaps Zellermayer?) was born in Odessa in 1888. He joined the German air force in WW1 and became a Lieutenant with the No. 1 Fortress Artillery Regiment. He was killed while flying near Trieste on 5 th February 1917 and was buried in Prosecco Cemetery, grave reference B 3/53.
For bravery as an aviator, Robert was awarded the Military Cross of Merit, third class with war decoration and swords.
Robert’s poetry collection ”Erzählungen Aus dem Nachlass “ (Tales from the Aftermath) was published in 1921 by Genossenschaftsverlag, Vienna.
“Gleichnis”
Unterm Lichte der Gedanken
Tausend dunkle Kräfte treiben,
Die gleich unbekümmert bleiben,
Tragen dich in sichrem Schwanken.
Losgelöst von allen Zielen
Bist du stark, sie zu erreichen,
Und die Wirklichkeiten gleichen
Deinen lieben Traumesspielen.
Schweben ist es, das dich hält.
Luft läßt freundlich dich ermatten,
Farbig werden alle Schatten
In dem Atem einer Welt.
Translation:
Parable
Beneath the light of thoughts
Float a thousand dark forces
Light-hearted, carefree,
Sweeping you along in a wavering state.
Detached from all aims
Are you strong enough to reach your goals?
Yet reality is the same
As your cherished dream games.
Being suspended in air
That kindly allows you to languish,
Even shadows take on colour
In the breath of the world.
Various sources, including Frank Milautzcki on https://www.fixpoetry.com/feuilleton/lost-voices-44/robert-
