Wehrpass Jakob Nork, Hürtgenwald KIA

[Tim DC]

Thought I would share some scans of my recently acquired Wehrpass which was found by a friend on a German militaria fair. Jakob Nork served throughout the war with various pioneer batallions and rose to the rank of Oberfeldwebel.
Nork was a Poland veteran but from 1940 on his actions were limited to occupation duties in Belgium and France, mostly with 348. Infanterie-Division. He did get the KVK2 and interestingly, in March 1944 he was awarded the EK2. Does anyone have suggestions about this, as he was to my knowledge not involved in any active fighting?
After the landing in Normandy he joined the pioneer batallion of 272. Infanterie-Division. This division was entirely destroyed in the Falaise pocket, but Nork was lucky (?) to get out with a shrapnell wound on the 15th of August! After his recovery in November 1944 he joined his reformed Pionier-Bataillon 272, now under the 272. VGD.
During the bitter fighting in the Hürtgenwald, Jakob Nork was killed in action on the 5th of December 1944 near Vossenack. He is not listed on the Volksbund site but is burried as an unknown at the Vossenack cemetery.

[Tim DC]

Large portrait photo.

[Tim DC]

Training and Abzeichen.

[Tim DC]

Units and fights ("Kämpfe in der Normandie")

[Tim DC]

Promotions and awards.

[Tim DC]

His Falaise wound and Hürtgenwald KIA entry. Don't think there are many Hürtgenwald KIA Wehrpasses out there (perhaps this would make an interesting thread?). Thanks to Pete for the entry of the Vossenack cemetery register.

[Tim DC]

I almost forgot to include these documents that came with the Wehrpass; here's an early Führungszeugnis and a declaration of non-Jewish descent.

[Tim DC]

But the nicest extra was this award document for his Normandy wound.

[dennisb]

Very interesting Wehrpass Tim, thanks for sharing!

[Eric JB]

His Falaise wound and Hürtgenwald KIA entry. Don't think there are many Hürtgenwald KIA Wehrpasses out there (perhaps this would make an interesting thread?). Thanks to Pete for the entry of the Vossenack cemetery register.

Hi Tim,

Nice and interesting Wehrpaß you have there.

Vossenack is one of THE Hürtgenwald places.

I have no idea if : as you mention there aren't many Hürtgenwald KIA Wehrpäße around, one can only say that many soldiers were killed there.

Thanks for showing.

yours friendly

Eric-Jan

[Hurtgen44]

Hey Tim,

Thanks so much for posting this wehrpass! It is an excellent example.

Best Regards,

Pete

[Luft 76]

Very nice Wp, indeed. The 272.ID unit and normany campaign are ...
Accordind to general F. A. Schack, Kdr of 272.ID, the division was refitted a little during first week of august, in Troarn- Cleville area (east of Caen) : the units were reorganized, received some news soldiers and weapons, in particulary from 16. FD (L) who was disbanded. Your man was some of the "news" who came then, exactly at that time, the 6 of august.

[Tim DC]

Thanks guys!

Luft 76, his 'Kämpfe in der Normandie' entry start the 1st of July, so he fought most of the time with the 348 ID until it was disbanded, then was sent to the 272 ID which was reorganized in the same area - I guess they could use a senior NCO with 7 years experience well but only 9 days later he was wounded and evacuated. Thanks for the addition.

[Luft 76]

... his 'Kämpfe in der Normandie' entry start the 1st of July, so he fought most of the time with the 348 ID until it was disbanded ...

Very curious because 348.ID didn't fought in Normandy at that time... Or perhaps only with parts (Kampfgruppe) ?

[Edward]

Tim, I was looking back over your Wehrpaß and read that Nork was killed on Dec. 5, 1944 near Vossenack. It rang a bell as the US 8th Infantry Division was operating there and had launched an Offensive. The 644th Tank Destroyer Battalion was an independent TD Battalion equipped with the M-10 and attached to the 8th Division while in the ETO. By coincidence I have the uniform of Corporal Cota who was a Gunner on his M-10 and in the immediate Vossenack area supporting the 8th Divisions attack when Nork was killed.

Here is his uniform.

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