Help appreciated with Soldbuch

[Frans H.]

Today a soldbuch arrived which I buyed from a forum member. With the soldbuch came a paper which his operationel record. I guess the former owner or some one else did research. But, I have doubts about this. I think his research was not right.
France Garrison: 4-12-1942 to 13-3 -1943
Northern Russian Front, Reconnaissance: 2-4-1943 to 24-7-1943
Holland Garrison: 15-6-1944 to 3-9-1944.
Belgium Combat: 3-9-1944 to 15-9-1944.
Holland Combat: 15-9-1944 to 9-11-1944.
P.O.W. on 9-11-1944.
Special Information: surrendered on the 9th November at Walcheren Holland. But, how do you know this?

I have attached photos of the entries of the soldbuch. I am not a specialist with Soldbuchs or Wehrpasses so I will highly appreciate some help with this.

I have some other information about the units he served in:
Beförderung Gefreiten am 1-10-1943. Aufkl.Ers. Abteilung 18.
13 March 1943: dienststelle der felp.nr. 15423.
9 june 1944: feldpostnummer 23253
24 juli 1943: ortslazarett fnr. 17929
Ersatz-Kp (M) 18
Panzer Jäger Kompanie 170. Nummer Kriegsstamrolle 28/44

Thanks!

Frans

[Frans H.]

Second photo.

[Frans H.]

Third photo. Photo of the soldbuch with the copys of the papers.

[Frans H.]

Last photo.

[Ian Jewison]

The information there details what the unit and Division did during the war......you have to analyse the dates to see when he was with that unit and whether he took part or not.

Interstingly, that Soldbuch used to be mine many years ago.......

Anyway, I too bought one from a forum member recently with the same style write up which did not give a true picture of what I bought.....I emailed the person to that effect and since then heard nothing................

Try looking at this site http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/...rzeichnis1.htm for relevant info on your units.....it could well be correct!?!?!

/Ian

[Ian Jewison]

You might be lucky and I still have my research at home for this Soldbuch.....but then again it was a long time ago when I sold it....................

/Ian

[Janssen-Militar]

Hello Frans,

Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5 under command of the 5.Jäger-Division (light Infantry). 1943-45 at the Eastern Front (Russia (Staraja Russa, Witebsk, Kowel, Narew).

Field post number 23253: Panzerjäger-Kompanie 170 (unit will be mentioned on page 17 I presume??) of the 70.Infanterie-Division. Aug.-Sep.44 Holland, Oct.44 Belgium (Gent) Nov.44 Walcheren). When you collect items from 70.ID you should know this??

But best way is to wait for the write-up (research) of Ian. Regarding the information you already have about this pass: this seems to be OK (just had a quick look).

KR,
Peter Janssen
Janssen-Militaria

[Frans H.]

Ian and Peter, many thanks for your great help so far. Ian, I looked at the site you gave me. There is information about Walcheren, but that link does not work. Well...I hope you still have the research you did on this Soldbuch. That would be really great

And Peter, I think you are right I should be known more about the 70th ID. For several years I was too busy with other matters, such as uniforms, fieldgear, etc. Research about Wehrpasses, Soldbücher and other documents about this division and Walcheren related was pushed to the background. I must spend more time on this.

I also learned that it is quite difficult to find items that are related to the 70 ID and other units that where stationed and fought at Walcheren.

Best wishes,

Frans

[Ian Jewison]

Frans,

Here is something you might find interesting, my uncle's brother served in the 70 Infanterie Division.....initially he served with Gebirgsj******228;ger Regiment 98 of 1 Gebirgs Division and during 1944 whilst on leave developed jaundice.

The illness put him hospital for a few weeks and he joined the local Landessch******252;tzen Bataillon as a PoW guard in M******252;nchen. Around D-Day time he was transferred to a (M)=(Magen) Ersatz Bataillon and then to the Feldersatz Bataillon of 70 Infanterie Division...again to another unit within the Division but I forget which one at the moment.

Whilst serving with the Division he won his EK I fetching ammunition for his Oberfeldwebel and fighting against the advance....if I remember correctly this Obfw. won the DKiG!

Anyway, he was taken prisoner in Walcheren and sent to England. I seem to remember it was the 52nd Canadian Highland Division or something like that he was fighting against......many of his Kameraden were killed in a short period at Walcheren.

Every year he returns as I seem to remember there is a parade in Vlissingen, and each year he returns to the spot where he won his EK I.

Also, I believe there is a museum in Vlissingen or the Island Walcheren and there are a few photos of him there.....also here as well at PoW Camp 83 (Eden Camp).

I have many letters and info regarding his "exploits" at home, however as I said above I might have the translation for Frate at home....I didn't say when I was going home though and that will not be until next week...........

Regards,
Ian

[Ian Jewison]

Incidentally, in the Frate Soldbuch there is one Feldpost number that you have missed...it is written on page 1 and stares you in the face...........

FP Nr. 13698:

4 Schwadron, Aufkl******228;rungs-Abteilung 5.

I bought this Soldbuch years ago at Islington Market and the reason I bought it was because he has a moustache.....not very often seen in Soldb******252;cher photos!!!

/Ian

[Janssen-Militar]

Incidentally, in the Frate
FP Nr. 13698:

4 Schwadron, Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5.
/Ian

Hello Ian,

4.Schwadron/Aufklärungs-Abteilung 5 it is, and I presume the entry 4.(schw.)Schw. means 4.(schwere)Schwadron. So not on bicycles but with (light?) vehicles?

Frans,
When you have researched hundreds of Sodbuchs you might probably forget how difficult it was to research the first one.
I think Ian means that you should look for the units in the Soldbuch on the site he gave, and not do a search on Walcheren. When you look for example to your 5.Jäger-Division and 70.Infanterie-Division you will get information where they fought (and surrendered or destroyed).

Peter Janssen
Janssen-Militaria

[Frans H.]

Ian, what you wrote about your uncle's brother is very interesting. If he was fighting against soldiers of the 52nd Lowland Division then he was in Flushing (Vlissingen). Also Royal Marine Commando's of No.4 Commando where engaged in the fierce fightings in Flushing. After 3 days of fighting the Allies secured the city.

I am really looking forward to other information you have about Franz Frate and all other information about your uncle's brother or Walcheren.

Thanks for sharing this with me.

And for Peter...I am a bit of a neewbie about Soldbücher and Wehrpasses. I will look closer into the information.

Frans

[Frans H.]

Hello Ian,

Did you look for the translation of the Frate Soldbuch yet? It would be great if you had it.

Greetings,

Frans