I recently acquired this very interesting Wehrpass for a member of the 212. Volksgrenadier-Division. The Wehrpass belonged to Grenadier Georg Jedelhauser who was assigned to a Granatwerfer (Mortar) squad of the 4./Grenadier-Regiment 423 of the 212. Volksgrenadier-Division on 2 October 1944. On 21 December 1944, during the first phase of the Battle of the Bulge, Jedelhauser was severely wounded, ironically by enemy mortar fire, in Consdorf, Luxembourg. He was immediately transported to Helenberg, Germany, and succumbed to his wounds on the same day at the young age of nineteen.
The Wehrpass includes examples of his death notice that appeared in newspapers, three copies of a letter telling how he was wounded and died, an official document from Jedelhauser's recruiting office stating that his Wehrpass was being sent to his mother, a document from the Commanding General of the 212. Volksgrenadier-Division, Generalleutnant Sensfuß, a Knight's Cross and Oakleaves recipient, and a 1947-dated letter allowing Jedelhauser's mother to visit her son's grave.
I find the letter that Generalleutnant Sensfuß sent to Jedelhauser's mother very interesting. I have never seen a General write to the mother of a Grenadier. Furthermore, Sensfuß tells Jedelhauser's mother that his unit is sending her 300.-Reichsmarks. I am wondering if anyone else has seen such a letter. I am wondering why Jedelhauser's mother was selected to receive a letter from her son's Commanding General at a time the 212. Volksgrenadier-Division was still heavily engaged. I doubt the parents of many fallen soldiers received 300.-Reichsmarks. I have the feeling that Jedelhauser's mother was randomnly selected. Here is information regarding Generalleutnant Sensfuß:
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/.../SensfussF.htm
Barry
The Wehrpass includes examples of his death notice that appeared in newspapers, three copies of a letter telling how he was wounded and died, an official document from Jedelhauser's recruiting office stating that his Wehrpass was being sent to his mother, a document from the Commanding General of the 212. Volksgrenadier-Division, Generalleutnant Sensfuß, a Knight's Cross and Oakleaves recipient, and a 1947-dated letter allowing Jedelhauser's mother to visit her son's grave.
I find the letter that Generalleutnant Sensfuß sent to Jedelhauser's mother very interesting. I have never seen a General write to the mother of a Grenadier. Furthermore, Sensfuß tells Jedelhauser's mother that his unit is sending her 300.-Reichsmarks. I am wondering if anyone else has seen such a letter. I am wondering why Jedelhauser's mother was selected to receive a letter from her son's Commanding General at a time the 212. Volksgrenadier-Division was still heavily engaged. I doubt the parents of many fallen soldiers received 300.-Reichsmarks. I have the feeling that Jedelhauser's mother was randomnly selected. Here is information regarding Generalleutnant Sensfuß:
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/.../SensfussF.htm
Barry
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