I'd like to share some scans of a recent purchase. Hermann Plocher was a Panzerjäger throughout his entire career, from his first training in 1938 until his death in 1943. He earned his EK2 during the campaign of the 35. Infanterie-Division in Belgium, May 1940. Still with Infanterie-Regiment 111 of the 35. Infanterie-Division, he was badly injured during a Krad accident on the Eastern Front in October 1941, but had proven himself worthy enough to be awarded the EK1. This injury and a shift in units kept him away from the Eastern Front until April 1943, when he returned to the Charkow - Dnjepr area with Grenadier-Regiment 850 of the 282. Infanterie-Division. Things went fast during the turbulent months starting from the Kursk offensive (July 1943). He was promoted to Unteroffizier on the 1st of August 1943 and in the days immediately subsequent to his promotion, received training as a 'Führer von Panzernahbekämpfungstrupps'. After a first wound received in September 1943, he was killed at the end of October 1943 by a bullet in the head near the Dnjepr river.
Over the years I've seen a lot of 'Panzerschreck' and 'Panzerfaust' entries in Wehrpasses, but this is the first time I've encountered one who was specifically trained as a commander of an anti-tank close combat squad.
Over the years I've seen a lot of 'Panzerschreck' and 'Panzerfaust' entries in Wehrpasses, but this is the first time I've encountered one who was specifically trained as a commander of an anti-tank close combat squad.
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