Query

[dphillipsd]

I was wondering how many pages there are in a Luftwaffe Soldbuch as opposed to a Heer Soldbuch???? I am asking as I have noticed that my Luftwaffe Soldbuch has fewer pages than that of my Heer Soldbuch.

[Ian Jewison]

Heer normally had 24 pages, as did Luftwaffe and SS.

However certain Luftwaffe Soldbücher had the format slightly different e.g. pages 6-7 for kit issue could be pages 12-13 in the other style...both formats contained the same info however.

There is an SS format that has 32 pages but this is due to the kit issues being individually numbered as opposed to 6-7, 8 (a,b,c, d etc.). Again same info is contained with as the 24 page version

Kriegsmarine had 40 pages, however I do have one with 68 pages and one with only 38 pages!!!!

How many does yours have? Pages removed?

/Ian

[dphillipsd]

Hi Ian,My Luftwaffe Soldbuch has 22 numbered pages, the last ones being for award entries...seems to be missing pages relating to authorised leave, namely pages 23 and 24 but does have some leave entries elsewhere.What I find interesting is the fact that after page 6 there is an insert (pictured below) for new equipment issues. However, these pages are numbered 12,12,12,13,13,13 then 7. The reason I have counted numbers twice is some pages are not full size and seem seperate.I cant tell if anything has been removed......this Solbuch is the luftwaffe one that Detlev had for sale last week.I have attached some pictures Ian, so please let me know what you think.They are in the order of the pages, namely: Pg6+Insert.jpg (36152 bytes) Insert.jpg (29182 bytes) Insert+7.jpg (39725 bytes) Pg12+12.jpg (51715 bytes)

[dphillipsd]

I am not sure what pages 15,18, 19, 20 and 21 are about as I havent seen these entries before so any help would be appreciated.

[dphillipsd]

Last of the pics....pg 22 is the last in the book....its his awards which are 1939 medal thingy and flak badge...if I am correct pgs 23+24 details leave? Is there any reason why these could be missing?

[dphillipsd]

Also, I would be greatful if anyone could provide me with a photograph of the last two pages in a Luftwaffe Soldbuch for comparison purposes.

[Ian Jewison]

Hi Dave,

It is not uncommon for pages to be missing from a Soldbuch but it can be a nuisance..particularly page 22 for his awards, I do know quite a few veterans that removed this page when they handed the Soldbuch in as a PoW, only to get it back again when they were released and putting the pages back together again.....this the most likely reason why these pages are seperated from books ....and wear and tear.

The leave page could prove he took part in a particularly interesting battle...or that he was at home!!

Some units were told to remove pages 4 and 17 which showed their units...this for obvious reasons.

Now to your book:
Well pages 6-7 correspond with 12-13 in the other format of the Luftwaffen Soldbuch as I mentioned earlier. This is for kit issues.

Page 14-15 was meant for recording money and valuables whilst in hospital but I have never seen is used for this. More often than not it records security checks on the Soldbuch.
In your case it records the soaps (washing, shaving etc.) that were issued to this person.

Page 18 was for pay entries (peacetime or those that were Soldiers prior to outbreak of war)..
Page 19 also for pay and corresponded with his Wehrsoldgruppe (Service pay)...here he has the rank of at least Gefreiter...possible Obergefreiter.

Page 20-21 for pay entries from units other than his own...here he received some iron rations and more soap!

Page 22 his awards which I can not make out...except the Trade/Arm badge for sound locating crew.

Attached a leave page (23) for leaves over 5 days from a Luftwaffe Soldbuch. Page 24 was the same but number 5-8......

Anything else?

/Ian

[dphillipsd]

Hi Ian,Thank you very much for your help, it is much appreciated....the other medal is the 1.10.1938 medal.The units pages are still there and are numerous, which is nice.Thanks again!

[dphillipsd]

Ian,

I was wondering if you could in fact help me out...I was wondering about FP number 36109....thanks again.

Hi Ian,Thank you very much for your help, it is much appreciated....the other medal is the 1.10.1938 medal.The units pages are still there and are numerous, which is nice.Thanks again!