Holland 1940-1945

[Panzer Rob]

Thanks for the complements, guys!

As a Panzer crew Soldbuch collector with a major interest in the battles that took place in western Europe from D-day onwards, this was quite a major score for me. I don't believe I've seen another Panzer-Kompanie "Mielke" Soldbuch, nor do I know of many Kampfgruppe "Knaust" IDs in private collections. It's an incredibly rare and desirable unit and I was absolutely thrilled to have been able to add it to my collection.

Glad you enjoyed the scans
Rob

[Angel Farré]

Looking at this thread I want to ask a copule of questions regarding Arnhem battles that I hope here can be answered.

1st, after the retreat of the english paratroopers how were the fight in and around the city during end of September/begginig of October?

Which Panzer Divisions were nvolved? was the 116 one of them?

Anything related to a railroad near De Lar?

Thanks

Angel

[Admiraal]

Yes the 116. PzDiv. fought near Arnhem after the English retreated.
If wanted i might be able to look up at what locations.

[Angel Farré]

Thanks Rick, can you look for something around a ralilroad near De Lar on October 5th, 1.944?

Angel

[Admiraal]

Thanks Rick, can you look for something around a ralilroad near De Lar on October 5th, 1.944?

Angel

After a quick look i see that on the night of 1 oktober to 2 oktober a reinforced 156 PzGr. Regiment of 116. PzDiv. attacked from the Elden-Haalderen line.

The first bataillon of the 156 PzGr. Reg. attacked towards De Laar but got stuck.
Early next day they resumed the attack and where able to push the enemy back into the south farm buildings of De laar and to occupy some buildings in De laar.

Couldn´t find anything specific about Oktober the 5th, but the allies where counterattacking the positions and the 116. PzDiv. was defending strongly.

[Angel Farré]

Wonderfull information, now all matched, I have obtained the Soldbuch to a young Panzergrenadier in the 2./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 156 who ws declared MIA on October 5th 1.944 and, acording to a letter informing his mother, it was during a tank and infantry attack in the railroad close to De Lar southwest of Arnheim.

For your inyerest he was taken POW by the british and survived the war to return to Germany in 1948.

By the way he was born on April 26th, 1.926 so he, probably, was "informed" of his unique oportunity to join the HJ division.

Thanks for your help.

Angel

[Admiraal]

Sounds like a great soldbuch
I´ve send you a PM.

[Tim DC]

I thought I'd jump in with this recently acquired Soldbuch of an artillerist who served in the 361st Volksgrenadier-Division during the liberation of Holland. Interestingly, he was wounded in the left leg on the 15th of September 1944 - two days prior to the launch of Operation Market Garden. VGD 361 was involved in the fighting near Arnhem, but could anyone inform me where he could have got wounded on the 15th of September? It might also be possible he was still with his previous unit at that date, the AR 331 of ID 331, which was withdrawn from the Falaise pocket and was disbanded in Holland somewhere in September 1944. So the man was a Normandy veteran as well.
A second good entry is his EK2 being awarded on the 22nd of November 1944. I guess it will be more difficult to say for what action or place he got that one. One week later, he was also promoted to Unteroffizier. Hope you enjoy the scans and would love to find out more about this man's history.

[Tim DC]

His units.

[Tim DC]

And finally, his wound and award.

[Edward]

As part of KGr Knaust, Mielke Kompanie only had 6 Pz III's and 2 Pz IV's and existed only for a very short time. That in itself makes your SB a real rarity. The photo of Schultz is really sharp too. Nice going Rob!

[Panzer Rob]

Thanks, "Edward"

It's a truly rare piece of "Battle of Arnhem" history, that's for damn sure. I'm a bit surprised we haven't heard anything from "Floris" or "Erwin_L" as I thought they'd appreciate seeing this one

I wonder if we'll see any other Panzer-Kompanie "Mielke" Soldbücher posted here???


Rob

[Erwin L]

Hello Rob,

My apology for responding not so quick as you were hoping. I received your pm with the link to this thread but i almost felt of my chair when i saw it and i was so impressed i couldn't find the correct words to describe my feelings.

This is one of the most rarest and diserable soldbuch i have ever seen which is related to the battle of Arnhem. Arnhem is not really my area but what a history you have got there. If this one could speak and this portrait. What an handsome guy wearing his uniform. How did you aquire this baby. Don't tell me that you got the first right of refusal on this one aswell.

Luckely it is in the good hands of one of the most dedicated, advanced and focust panzer soldbuch/wehrpass collectors all time. I don't know of you even can find a better one which can top this one.

Perhaps you can open a thread for this soldbuch apart. It deserves the attention

Thanks for sharing this one Rob.

Best regards from Holland

Erwin

[Edward]

Thanks, "Edward"

It's a truly rare piece of "Battle of Arnhem" history, that's for damn sure. I'm a bit surprised we haven't heard anything from "Floris" or "Erwin_L" as I thought they'd appreciate seeing this one

I wonder if we'll see any other Panzer-Kompanie "Mielke" Soldbücher posted here???


Rob

Appreciate your showing it Rob. Amazing really that you have a SB to Mielke Kompanie as it was in name only. Going into battle for the first time at Arnhem it was much smaller than an actual Panzer Kompanie and more like a reinforced platoon.

[Panzer Rob]

Hello Rob,

My apology for responding not so quick as you were hoping. I received your pm with the link to this thread but i almost felt of my chair when i saw it and i was so impressed i couldn't find the correct words to describe my feelings.

This is one of the most rarest and diserable soldbuch i have ever seen which is related to the battle of Arnhem. Arnhem is not really my area but what a history you have got there. If this one could speak and this portrait. What an handsome guy wearing his uniform. How did you aquire this baby. Don't tell me that you got the first right of refusal on this one aswell.

Luckely it is in the good hands of one of the most dedicated, advanced and focust panzer soldbuch/wehrpass collectors all time. I don't know of you even can find a better one which can top this one.

Perhaps you can open a thread for this soldbuch apart. It deserves the attention

Thanks for sharing this one Rob.

Best regards from Holland

Erwin

Erwin my friend,

Wow, thanks so much for the reply. I’m really glad that you enjoyed seeing the scans of the “Mielke” Soldbuch, being a “Holland” collector I knew you’d appreciate it (thought you were a “Arnhem nut” though!) Seems like it made quite a first impression on you

I acquired it from a good friend, the same individual who helped me acquire the schwere Panzer Kompanie “Hummel” Tiger crew member Soldbuch and photo album. We both agreed that the “Mielke” book would naturally complement the “Hummel” book and so after a little negotiating we struck a deal. I don’t believe it was offered to anyone else… as far as I know it came straight to me. And there definitely wasn’t going to be any “refusal”

I did consider starting a completely separate thread, but in the end decided that this thread was as appropriate a spot as any to post it, seeing as how it’s dedicated to the battles that took place in Holland during 1944 and I know those who specialize in and focus on the Holland battles would be sure to see it. I’ll probably post it in the “Panzer crew Soldbuch” thread, I think it would be a nice addition to that one as well

And thanks for your complements, but while I am very dedicated and focused, the “all time” part is definitely overkill! But again, glad you enjoyed seeing the scans and thanks again for the kind words

Rob