Hi all-
I would like to share with you my most recent acquisition, a SS-Soldbuch and SS-F******252;hrerschein to SS-Sturmann Kurt Holl, 9(gp)./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt.26, 12.SS-Panzer Division “Hitlerjugend,” KIA 08.July 1944 in fierce combat with the Canadian and British forces in and around Caen during the first month of the invasion of Normandy.
Hurbert Meyer’s most informative and invaluable book on the HJ Division (The History of the 12.SS-Panzer Division) lists 2 casualties (KIA) for the III./26’s combat actions on 07/08.July 1944. The first casualty took place in the evening hours of 07.July 1944 during late-night carpet-bombing runs by the RAF in preparation for the 08.July attack on Caen. So, if the information contained within the Volksbundes Gr******228;bersuche website and Meyer’s book is accurate and correct, Hull was the only individual from the III./SS.Pz.Gren.Rgt.26 listed as being killed on 08.July. More than likely he was killed in-between the northwestern edge of Caen and down to the southern bank of the Orne river, during the retreat and subsequent delaying fighting at the bridgehead on the northern side of the river which allowed the rest of the forces to retreat across the Orne.
One of the interesting features is the Verpflichtungserkl******228;rung that is pasted in the back cover of the Soldbuch. It’s the vehicle identification sign-out sheet that lists the license plate number of Hull’s vehicle, “SS-932 592” As you know, the 9.gepanzert (armored) company was made up of motorized infantry with “SPW” (also referred to as “GPW”) SdKfz.251 halftracks. So, this document, as well as Hull’s SS-F******252;hrerschein with qualification to drive Class III and II vehicles leads me that he was the driver of a SdKfz.251 (most likely a /01, which was the standard troop carrier version).
Another most interesting entry is on page 14, “F.F.43” entered on 06.June, 1944 (!!!) I have been searching for an answer to what “F.F.43” might stand for, but so far have been unsuccessful in determining what it is. There was one speculation that it could be some sort of field telephone. Any other ideas???
There are no awards, and the spine has split down the middle and was taped together somewhere down the road, but all in all IMHO a very significant and 100% original piece of HJ history! Here are the pictures (there are a lot!)
I welcome any and all comments.
Thanks!
Rob
EDIT: Changed "F.F.43" from field raido to read field telephone, as I got that one mixed up - sorry Ian : )
I would like to share with you my most recent acquisition, a SS-Soldbuch and SS-F******252;hrerschein to SS-Sturmann Kurt Holl, 9(gp)./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt.26, 12.SS-Panzer Division “Hitlerjugend,” KIA 08.July 1944 in fierce combat with the Canadian and British forces in and around Caen during the first month of the invasion of Normandy.
Hurbert Meyer’s most informative and invaluable book on the HJ Division (The History of the 12.SS-Panzer Division) lists 2 casualties (KIA) for the III./26’s combat actions on 07/08.July 1944. The first casualty took place in the evening hours of 07.July 1944 during late-night carpet-bombing runs by the RAF in preparation for the 08.July attack on Caen. So, if the information contained within the Volksbundes Gr******228;bersuche website and Meyer’s book is accurate and correct, Hull was the only individual from the III./SS.Pz.Gren.Rgt.26 listed as being killed on 08.July. More than likely he was killed in-between the northwestern edge of Caen and down to the southern bank of the Orne river, during the retreat and subsequent delaying fighting at the bridgehead on the northern side of the river which allowed the rest of the forces to retreat across the Orne.
One of the interesting features is the Verpflichtungserkl******228;rung that is pasted in the back cover of the Soldbuch. It’s the vehicle identification sign-out sheet that lists the license plate number of Hull’s vehicle, “SS-932 592” As you know, the 9.gepanzert (armored) company was made up of motorized infantry with “SPW” (also referred to as “GPW”) SdKfz.251 halftracks. So, this document, as well as Hull’s SS-F******252;hrerschein with qualification to drive Class III and II vehicles leads me that he was the driver of a SdKfz.251 (most likely a /01, which was the standard troop carrier version).
Another most interesting entry is on page 14, “F.F.43” entered on 06.June, 1944 (!!!) I have been searching for an answer to what “F.F.43” might stand for, but so far have been unsuccessful in determining what it is. There was one speculation that it could be some sort of field telephone. Any other ideas???
There are no awards, and the spine has split down the middle and was taped together somewhere down the road, but all in all IMHO a very significant and 100% original piece of HJ history! Here are the pictures (there are a lot!)
I welcome any and all comments.
Thanks!
Rob
EDIT: Changed "F.F.43" from field raido to read field telephone, as I got that one mixed up - sorry Ian : )
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