Help with Wehrpass

[FLiPSiDE]

Hi Guys,

This is my first Wehrpass that I just received the other day and I'm hoping someone might be able to offer their opinions on authenticity and just over-all? The photo is stapled in place with a single staple, is that a problem? The white photo paper is not reactive under U/V light so that is a plus right?

I'm also having some trouble reading the handwriting but so far I've gotten the following unit info:

LW Jager Regiment 32 from 12-1-42 to 9-23-44
==============================
From what I can tell this unit would have been part of the 16th Luftwaffe Field Division which during the dates shown would have been stationed in Holland until it was called upon to assist with defense against the Allied invasion in Normandy.

Grenadier Rgt 990 from 9-24-44 to 5-6-45
===========================
This unit was part of the 277. Volkesgrenadier-Division and within the specified dates took part in the Ardennes Offensive.

I don't know if this is correct so any info you can provide would be helpful. I really appreciate anyone who takes the time to look over this post!

Note: I skipped around to any pages which had text (obviously)

[keifer kahn]

Hi Flip,

Id say the photo is a replacement.

Wehrpass photos were generally riveted in with 2 rivets and would generally have 2 validation stamps.


There are exceptions of cours but thats what i think.

[Ian Jewison]

The Wehrpass does look like it was issued without a photo, however is it him and did he staple it in himself?
The rank matches his rank when he transferred from Heer to Luftwaffe,i.e. Obergefreiter. Also the uniform is early as he does not have an eagle and swastika on his Fliegerbluse!

Is there anything written on the reverse of the photo?

Otherwise the rest of the entries appear OK.

Had a long day and a few whiskies so will take another look tomorrow!

/Ian

[Johnny R]

The second entry for the 15th Company of IR 16 in Osnabrück for two months is an odd. The 16th IR was based in Oldenberg. Did RH Infantry Regiments have more than 14 Companies?

[keifer kahn]

It was set up in 1921 and had 16 kompanies.

[matmag49]

This Wehrpass is absolutely original. It was issued on 15 march 1938. The soldier entered the army on 5 april 1932 in 12./IR 16 Oldenburg and enrolled for 12 years (page 26). He was in the Heer until 30 april 1934 and then changed over to Luftwaffe Fl.Gr. (Fliegergruppe?) Prenzlau and on 1 april 1936 to Fl.Gr. Fassberg, the name of which was changed into Gr. Kampffliegerschule (school for combat pilots) on 12 march 1938.
This Wehrpass must have replaced a first one, as all the inscriptions up to the date of issue are written from the same hand and were filled in belatedly. The foto may show him at the time of issue, but the fixation by only one staple can not be explained.
If you need further translations, please tell me.
Regards
Matthias

[Gerdan]

page 26

31 March 1944 he enrolled (?) military service for 12 more years

and the day after he was promoted to Stabsfeldwebel (First Sergeant)

Gerdan

[matmag49]

Page 26 says nothing but that his obligation to serve for 12 years, counted from joining the Reichswehr in april 1932, would expire on 31 march 1944.
This is what I mentioned in my comment.
Regards
Matthias

[christof]

What is this mention on 7 5 1945 about 308 Div. / Brig. ?

[Johnny R]

It was set up in 1921 and had 16 kompanies.

Thanks, I wonder what he was doing down in Osnabrück for two months. School?

[sef1962]

The second entry for the 15th Company of IR 16 in Osnabrück for two months is an odd. The 16th IR was based in Oldenberg. Did RH Infantry Regiments have more than 14 Companies?

This excerpt from 125 Jahre Oldenburg Infanterie explains recruitment and training at the setup of IR16

[Ian Jewison]

What is this mention on 7 5 1945 about 308 Div. / Brig. ?

308 Division (Kriegsgefangene) Bigade XXI is his prisoner of war unit.

/Ian

[FLiPSiDE]

Thanks to everyone! To answer Ian's question: the photo has nothing that can be seen on the back but it is also glued (just realized that now) in addition to the staple so to see the back of it I had to hold it up to a light source where I could see right through the paper and the photo (slightly) and could tell there was no obvious writing on the reverse.

Thanks so much for all the help, I really appreciate it! So the consensus is that it's an original wehrpass (possibly a replacement) and that the photo may have been added later?

[Ian Jewison]

Chances are it is not a replacement as he was already serving in the Wehrmacht when Wehrpässe were issued, that will explain the entries in the same hand. I have a few like this, also they are issued by a military unit and not a recruiting office (Wehrmeldeamt/Wehrbezirks Kommando).
Also, a few of them do not have photos, or have had them added at a later time. In some cases, of course they have a military photo, rather than a civilian one but are correctly attached and stamped by the same unit as on page 1.

In addition, he was promoted to Stabsfeldwebel, this is a rank that can not be obtained unless you have completed 12 years service. This has been mentioned that he signed up for 12 years service and 1 day later was promoted to Stabsfeldwebel.

Another note, he joined the Army in 1932 (Heer) transferred to the Luftwaffe in 1934 and ended up back in the Army from 1943.....Luftwaffen Jäger Regiment 32 or course was part of the Luftwaffe and was an infantry unit part of 16 Luftwaffen Feld Division. November 1943 these units were passed to Army control and renamed Jäger Regiment 32 (L). Grenadier Regiment 990 of course was an Army unit, under 277 Volks Grenaider Division.

/Ian