I bought this Zweitschrift (Second-Issue) Wehrpass for Unteroffizier Willibald Lausmann at the MAX Show this year. The Wehrpass has a super photo of Lausmann wearing an eye patch (page 34 shows that he lost his left eye on 17 February 1944 by a bullet). In civilian life, Lausmann was a Musikinstrumentenmacher (Producer of Musical Instruments). From 1 October 1925 through 28 November 1926, Lausmann served in the Czechoslovakian Army. From 28 August 1939, he served in the Wehrmacht. He saw a lot of action, which included combat in the Crimea, for which he was awarded the Krimschild (Crimea Shield). While serving as a Fahrzeugbegleiter (Motor Vehicle Attendant) with the XXXXII. Armeekorps (XXXXIIth Army Corps), he was struck in the left eye by a bullet. Soon thereafter, he was sent back to Germany, but remained in the service, serving with replacement, administrative, and local defense units. During Lausmann's service, he earned the Iron Cross 2nd Class, the 3rd Class Rumanian Medal for Loyal Service with Swords, the Infantry Assault Badge, the Sudetenland Medal of 1 October 1938, the Krim Shield, the Rumanian Commemorative Medal, and the Wound Badge in Silver. The Wehrpass includes two overnight leave passes for two of Lausmann's comrades of the 3. Kompanie (3rd Company) of Landeschützen Bataillon 819 (Local Defense Battalion 819). Interestingly, the Wehrpass and the two leave passes were part of a military collection owned by O.H. Yust, Jr., since they all have the following stamp: MILITARY REFERENCE LIBRARY, PROPERTY OF O.H. YUST, JR. I would be interested in knowing if anyone could tell me something about Yust's military library collection.
Barry
Barry
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