Marine Artillery Soldbuch

[John R.]

I own this soldbuch and the sailor's Spanish Cross in Bronze. I would like some help with understanding the contents of this soldbuch if you could.

Studying the photo, I can see this man's Spanish Cross in Bronze on his uniform.

I am not sure what 2 ADN or 2 MEA stands for nor Ers. Abtlg.

I am guessing 2 ADN and 1/2 MEA are receiving stations of some kind?

John

[John R.]

Here I can see a feldpost number, 17001, and checking the above feldpost tool, it appears that this is linked to a Schiffsstammabteilung, or an organizational unit in the Kriegsmarine. I think this is where the sailor reported initially for further assignment later.

(24.3.1944-6.11.1944) 20.4.1944 Stab u. l.-6. Kompanie (= A-F) 8. Schiffsstammabteilung, based in Leer in Weser-Ems and subordinate to the 2. Admiral der Nordsee.

John

[John R.]

I can see the awards on the left, like I said, I own the Spanish Cross but none of the other awards. Since it is all in the same pen, I am assuming this is a replacement soldbuch for a sailor that served in the Spanish War and maybe reactivated later, needing a new soldbuch? Just guessing, but that is what it looks like perhaps.

John

[John R.]

I can see Lazarett 933 but no idea where this would have been located or why he was there. It links to Feldpost number 48438.

(25.11.1944-8.5.1945) 17.1.1945 4. Kriegslazarett Kriegslazarett-Abteilung 509

The 22 according to the above link means "digestive complaint" I think.

So the book is issued on 21 April 1944 and by 24 October 1944 he is in the hospital. Maybe discharged on 1 November 1944 from the hospital? Then back in 3 November and released 21 December for the same issue?

John

[John R.]

Now Festung BH 368.

Marine-Festungs-Bataillon 368

Aufgestellt am 28.11.1944 mit Stab und 2 Kompanien in Delfzijl und 2 Kompanien in Völlen und Groß-Wolde im Raum Leer und dem Seekommandanten Ostfriesland unterstellt. Die Ausbildung und der Einsatz des Bataillons wurde vor allem durch einen Mangel an Handwaffen behindert. Bis mindestens 8. Dezember standen Handwaffen nur für die beiden in Delfzijl eingesetzten Kompanien zu Verfügung. Bataillonsführer war Ende Dezember 1944 bis mindestens Ende Januar 1944 Oberleutnant Rautwurm (i. V.). Am 11. Dezember 1944 wurden auch die beiden Kompanien aus dem Raum Leer nach Delfzijl verlegt. Im Januar 1945 wurden dem Bataillon 120 Mann, vor allem jüngere Soldaten und Spezialisten, abgezogen.

This means the Festung was at Delfzijl in the Netherlands across the bay from Germany.

Rough translation:

Situated 28.11.1944 with 2 companies in Delfzijl and 2 companies in Völlen subordinate to the maritime Commander, East Frisia. The training and the use of the battalion was hampered due to a lack of handguns. Until at least 8 December were handguns only for the two companies in Delfzijl. The battalion leader was Lieutenant Rautwurm (i. V.) in late December 1944 until at least the end of January 1945. On December 11, 1944, the two weak companies from the region were moved to Delfzijl. The battalion's 120-men, especially younger soldiers and specialists, were withdrawn in January 1945.

Since this soldbuch's sailor joined in February 1945, no idea where it was located, maybe to Völlen in Germany.

Also the MEA entries.

So he gets out of the hospital and reports to Fest. BH 368 14 Feb 1945.

John

[John R.]

Last page that might provide some information on this sailor.

John

[John R.]

The best I can make of this is that he was brought back on active duty but we have no information on what he did before this replacement soldbuch was issued. He came to a receiving unit, then to a hospital, then to a Marine Artillery fortification someplace.

Does not look like he was in good health when he was called back into service if that is what happened.

Just guessing with my limited knowledge of these soldbuchs, so help appreciated.

Here is his cross which is inscribed on the back.

John

[Hank C.]

I own this soldbuch and the sailor's Spanish Cross in Bronze. I would like some help with understanding the contents of this soldbuch if you could.

Studying the photo, I can see this man's Spanish Cross in Bronze on his uniform.

I am not sure what 2 ADN or 2 MEA stands for nor Ers. Abtlg.

I am guessing 2 ADN and 1/2 MEA are receiving stations of some kind?

John

John, if you read the very last words of your own 2nd sentence in post #2, you'll quickly see what "2 A d N" stands for.

M(arine) and Ers(atz) Abt(ei)l(un)g

Hope those little bits help.

Hank

[Hank C.]

I can see the awards on the left, like I said, I own the Spanish Cross but none of the other awards. Since it is all in the same pen, I am assuming this is a replacement soldbuch for a sailor that served in the Spanish War and maybe reactivated later, needing a new soldbuch? Just guessing, but that is what it looks like perhaps.

John

Service award 4th class, Memorial medal for the 1st of October (um, Re-annexation of Austria? I believe), and KVK 2nd class.

And it's also possible he was transferred from one hospital to another, thus the short period between discharge and re-admittance. Not sure on that though.

P. 27 mostly deals with pay issues, including back payment of extra (or bonus) funds for being at the front from 11 to 18 Oct, paid while at the Reserve Lazarett Bad (...)pfen [can't make out first 4 letters].

Hank

[John R.]

John, if you read the very last words of your own 2nd sentence in post #2, you'll quickly see what "2 A d N" stands for.

M(arine) and Ers(atz) Abt(ei)l(un)g

Hope those little bits help.

Hank

Does seem a bit obvious now Hank

[John R.]

OK, got MEA and ADN. Thanks Hank.

John

[erichcraciun]

Hi,

perhaps you can post a close up of this uniform foto?

Thanks

Erich

[John R.]

Hi Erich,

Here it is.

John

[erichcraciun]

I think there is also the ribbon for the Spanish military cross in the middle of the ribbon bar. This is however not noted in his Soldbuch.

Erich

[John R.]

Thanks for pointing that out Erich. John