Here is a great Soldbuch for a real combat veteran who served in the Wehrmacht from 1939 - 1945 and rose from the rank of Schütze (Private) to Unteroffizier (Sergeant). The Solbuch was issued to Schütze Herbert Puschmann on 12 December 1939 by Infanterie Ersatz Bataillon 350 (Infantry Replacement Battalion 350). Initially, Puschmann served with Infanterie Regiment 417 (Infantry Regiment 417) and Reserve Grenadier Bataillon 350 (Reserve Grenadier Regiment 350). Thereafter, he was assigned to the 5. and 8. Kompanien (5th and 8th Companies) of Grenadier Regiment 980 of the 272. Infanterie Division (272nd Infantry Division), which was engaged in heavy fighting at Normandy (the unit was heavily engaged against the British near Caen). After fighting at Normandy, Puschmann was assigned to Feldersatz-Bataillon 272 (Field-Replacement Battalion 272), the field-replacement bataillon for the 272nd Infantry Division. In March 1945, Puschmann was assigned to the 3./Grenadier Regiment 1, part of Infanterie Division "Scharnhorst" (Infantry Division "Scharnhorst"), which at the end of the war, fought against both the Americans and Russians.
During his service, Puschmann was awarded the Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen (Infantry Assault Badge), E.K. II ( Iron Cross IInd Class), and the Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz und Silber (Black and Silver Wound Badges). Puschmann's Soldbuch includes his award document for theE.K. II, dated 19 January 1942, which is signed by Generalmajor Dietrich Kraiß, who commanded the 168. Infanterie Division (168th Infantry Division) from 8 July 1941. The Soldbuch has two 1946-dated Russian stamps, showing that Puschmann lived in the Soviet-occupied zone of Germany at that time. In the 1980s, this Soldbuch was purchased by Emilie Caldwell Stewart at an antique shop in Düsseldorf, Germany. The photo of Puschmann in the Soldbuch shows him wearing the uniform of an Obergefreiter having the E.K. II ribbon and Infantry Assault Badge. The condition of the Soldbuch shows that Puschmann fought some hard battles, giving it real character.
Barry
During his service, Puschmann was awarded the Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen (Infantry Assault Badge), E.K. II ( Iron Cross IInd Class), and the Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz und Silber (Black and Silver Wound Badges). Puschmann's Soldbuch includes his award document for theE.K. II, dated 19 January 1942, which is signed by Generalmajor Dietrich Kraiß, who commanded the 168. Infanterie Division (168th Infantry Division) from 8 July 1941. The Soldbuch has two 1946-dated Russian stamps, showing that Puschmann lived in the Soviet-occupied zone of Germany at that time. In the 1980s, this Soldbuch was purchased by Emilie Caldwell Stewart at an antique shop in Düsseldorf, Germany. The photo of Puschmann in the Soldbuch shows him wearing the uniform of an Obergefreiter having the E.K. II ribbon and Infantry Assault Badge. The condition of the Soldbuch shows that Puschmann fought some hard battles, giving it real character.
Barry
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