Holland 1940-1945

[Panzer Rob]

Excellent thread, gentlemen. Thanks to all those who have participated so far...

Hopefully we'll see some more IDs to AFV crews posted

Rob

[Revellations]

Hopefully we'll see some more IDs to AFV crews posted

Rob

Ok Rob...you asked for it !!!.....



Shame the photo was removed. Probably at the end of the war when 'skulls' were often mis-identifid as an 'SS-Soldier'





















Unfortunately this piece is not in my collection anymore but I guess it can still be shared with this group and enjoyed.

Cheers

Scott

[Floris]

Excellent thread, gentlemen. Thanks to all those who have participated so far...

Hopefully we'll see some more IDs to AFV crews posted

Rob

We're waiting for you to post something from your collection here.
Or is this a search for new items for your collection?

Nice wehrpass Scott. Too bad that the photo has been removed.
Althought this is one of my favorite units
And still on my wanted list

[Erwin L]

Or is this a search for new items for your collection?

Ciao Floris

Real friends won't do that
I quit smoking some years ago but what the heck

Regards Erwin

[Tim DC]

I picked up this Luftwaffe Soldbuch yesterday.

[Tim DC]

At first, nothing too spectacular as you can see.

[Tim DC]

But this is a nice turn! He got 5 Nahkampftage during the Arnhem battle with Kampfgruppe Knaust, which delivered him the KVK2 and the Erdkampfabzeichen. Does anyone know something more about the involvement of this small Landesschützen unit in Kampfgruppe Knaust or the Arnhem campaign?

[Erwin L]

That's indeed a very nice entry Tim perhaps Scott can give you an answer on your question.

Regards

Erwin

[Tim DC]

Yes Erwin, as the writer of the Kampfgruppe's history I know he will definitely be inerested in this. Unfortunately I don't have his book on my shelf.

[Revellations]

As usual I have mixed feelings when I see these type of items. Love the fact they are still out there but hate the fact it is not in my collection - being an Arnhem collector (and nothing else).<O</O
<O</O

Before you start scanning through 'Retake Arnhem Bridge', save your time because there is nothing in my book about this unit. <O</O
<O</O

Until now, there has been no evidence between this Luftwaffe unit and Kampfgruppe Knaust. However I have noticed a number of things about the Soldbuch.<O</O
<O</O

Firstly, the entry about the 5 Nahkampftagen, is stamped with a FeldPost number of 49615. This was the Feldpost number for Flak Regiment 87 (v) which was part of Flak Brigade 18 - a formation that had flak elements throughout Holland. So it is safe to say that this man came from this Luftwaffe Regiment.<O</O
<O</O

The best bit of this book is the signature of the Company Chief!!! It is signed by Oberleutnant Vaske. There is evidence in German strength reports of a small unit called 'Kompanie Vaske' which fought in the Betuwe - this would have to be the one and the same. I looked in NARA for information about Vaske but thinking he was a Heer Officer - I found nothing. No wonder - he is Luftwaffe!!!<O</O
<O</O

I need to have a good look through my files but I have a strength state on the 28th Sept 1944 of Kompanie Vaske as 1 officer, 0 (zero) NCOs, and 78 men with 6 L.M.G. <O</OThe strength state report of 28.09.44 has the company listed down separately from Knaust's strength which I interpreted as independent. However this soldbuch clearly shows that between the 21st - 25th they were part of Knaust's unit in Elst.<O</O
<O</O

Great find Tim!! Thanks for sharing. Now...how do I convince him to part with it and sent to Australia!!<O</O
<O</O

Thanks and ever grateful for this forum and its members.<O</O

Scott<O</O

[Tim DC]

Thanks for that very detailed information Scott. Glad to hear that this Soldbuch is able to help you a bit further in your Kampfgruppe Knaust research. Off to the NARA!

[Revellations]

Thanks for that very detailed information Scott. Glad to hear that this Soldbuch is able to help you a bit further in your Kampfgruppe Knaust research. Off to the NARA!

No problem. Off to NARA?...no Luftwaffe officer files there unfortunately. Maybe in Freiburg but not NARA.

Cheers

Scott

[dennisb]

Tim, very, VERY nice Soldbuch with great combat days!

[patrick h]

All close to my area!

Thx for posting!

Regards,Patrick

[5thFallschirm.]

Interesting cards Floris.