Inf Fla Btl 959 / Normandie Soldbuch

[erichcraciun]

Hello,

I am happy with this little Soldbuch I found today - The Soldbuch (with a Pages 1 - 4 unfortunately missing!!) to Unteroffizier Gustav Wiedersich who served in various army Flak units.

[erichcraciun]

Since Page 1 is missing...I am making an assumption here that Wiedersich was a Richtschütze oder Geschützführer since he was issued a pair of binoculars in 1944...along with quite a bit of other kit.

[erichcraciun]

Along with a Pistol "Armee (b)" Belgian. (Browning FN?), a Taschenlampe and a Stichsäge...

[erichcraciun]

Wiedersich was wounded twice (right upper thigh - Durchschuss and left upperarm also a Durchschuss) and was lucky enough to recover in the military hospital in Legnitz close by his home town in Neudorf, Schlesien.

[erichcraciun]

So, since page 3 is missing, I am trying to piece together Unteroffizer Wiedersich's military CV before his time in France 1943 - 44. In any case, he was promoted to Gefreiter while with Panzer Abwehr Abt 43 - 8. Pz Div.

Sometime in 1944, Wiedersich transfered from his Replacement unit to Fla. Komp 149 of the 48. Infanterie Division that was being formed in Boulogne in early 1944.

Wiedersich later served with Inf Fla Btl 959 which fought in France and was destroyed while fighting on the French - German border.

[erichcraciun]

No the interesting part, Uffz Wiedersich's awards page:

1.10.36: Schützen Abzeichen II. Klasse
1.10.38: Anschlussmedaille
20.10.40: Sturmabzeichen
18.5.42: Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse
6.8.42: Ostmedialle

and here is the entry I have a question about:

25.7.42: Heeres Flak Abzeichen (I suppose the Hauptmann u. Kp Fhr signed and stamped both entries with one stamp and signature. It does not look like the entry has been "squeezed in".)

23.1.43: Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz

[erichcraciun]

Furlough entries

[erichcraciun]

Wiedersich was captured and held prisoner until at least Summer 1946 based on the inscription on the one foto.

Unfortunately the back cover of the Soldbuch is missing...

Certainly a rough looking Soldbuch that mirrors Wiedersich's military career.

[Ian Jewison]

Very nice Erich,

From the FP Nr. you can see the following units:

1942
15371 - 4. Kompanie Fla-MG-Bataillon (schw.) mot. Z 48, then 3.(Fla) Kompanie Panzerjäger-Abteilung 43

Obtl. Koiner was Chef of 4/Fla MG Btl. 48, which became 3 (Fla)/Pz.Jäg.Abt. 43 then 3/H.Flak.Abt. 286 of 8 Pz.Div.

31.12.1942
47279 - 4. Leichtkranken-Kriegslazarett Kriegslazarett-Abteilung 608.

23.2.1944
47558 - 7.2.1944 Fla-Kompanie (mot.7) 3,7 cm Flak, on 6.3.1944 Fla-Kompanie 149.

Heeres-Fla-Bataillone I. und II./103
Were formed in October 1944 from Fla-Ersatz-Bataillon 103 with 4 Companies. In December 1944 incorporated into Fla-MG-Bataillone 958 and 959.

(Fla) Bataillon (mot.) 959
Formed 8.8.1943 through Mil.Befh. Frankreich with 4 Companies. September 1944 formed H.Fla Bataillon II./103
Under Heerestruppe: France (Chauny, Le Mans); Central Rhein (Hgr. B)

/Ian

[Ian Jewison]

The second leave is authorised by Lt. Fenske, a former Fw. u. Zugmelder with II Zug/4 Kp./Fla 48.

/Ian

[Luft 76]

Interesting documents, indeed ! With nice ID photo.
Fla Kompanie 149 was part of the 49.ID who fought at the end of august 44 against british forces in Vernon, on Seine valley, between Paris and Rouen. The division was heavily scatered there, and later also in northern France - "Mons Pocket".
I have a question about FP Nr stamped on the bottom of page 20 : which number ?

[erichcraciun]

Thank you.

The Fp Nr looks like 22764. (Mobilmachung-1.1.1940) Feldpostamt 27, but that can't be.

Or perhaps 22784? Schlächterei-Kompanie 705...also can't be

[Ian Jewison]

I looked at that and saw 28764 straight away...might just be coincidence, however that belonged to:

1.9.1944 Stab u. 1.-4. Kompanie Festungs-MG-Bataillon 806

/Ian

[erichcraciun]

Oh, my old eyes! Thanks Ian.

Later renamed Festungs-Fla-Bataillon 806 in the beautiful fortified city of Belfort in the Elsass.

[Luft 76]

That Fp Nr 'unit ask question because of the date (2 september 44) : just after the Invasion's fights of the end of august. At the same date, the soldier received food in Namur, in Belgium.