Wehrpass w/ questions

[joefriday22]

Hello Sirs.
This is my first post. I was directed here by members of another military forum that I frequent.

I recently purchased this wehrpass. This is the first that I had ever seen as I have just recently begun to focus effort on collecting WW2 German militaria.

My understanding so far is that this officer served in both WW1 and WW2 and served in artillery units.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much,
Rob

[joefriday22]

[Hank C.]

Well, there's a lot there for sure. He did serve in both WW's. Appears to have earned EK 1 & 2 in WW1 & the spangen for both in WW2. The book is a "second issue", I didn't see (or look for) the reason it was replaced. His WW2 service included occupation duties in France, use in the home country region, and service in Russia. At some point he was selected as a training officer for a replacement unit. HIs WW2 awards include the spangen, KVK 2d class, Ostmedal. He was also released to as a Captain (Hauptmann) in the Reserves in April '41.

best
Hank

[joefriday22]

Thank you very much for the information Sir.

Best,
Rob

[Ian Thomson]

Its a nice well filled out wehrpass. He earned his Ostmedaille and Spanges to his EK1 and EK2 while with the 385th Artillery Regiment which was part of 385th Infantry Division. From its formation in February 1942 to its destruction at the end of that year, the division never fought as a single unit it was split between Army Group North and Army Group Centre.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/385th_I...ion_(Wehrmacht)


Cheers
Ian

[joefriday22]

Thank you very much Ian..

Cheers,
Rob

[JUNGCO]

Hank,
Even though he was discharged on 17.4.41, he must have been activated again, as his service continued after 1.8.41, listing additional units he served with and was promoted to Major on 1.8.42. He also received three additional awards after 17.4.41.
Jeff

[JUNGCO]

Ian,
We were writing at the same time!
Jeff

[sgabrie854]

I didn't scan the whole doc, but I saw in 1942 he was a MAJOR in the reserves.

[compressore]

Hi,

a very nice Soldbuch.
Until 1941 it seems the had a bit more 'easy" life, but after reactivation he served at the eastern front (Woronesch, Charkov) and later in the heavy fights in Walcheren (Netherlands). At those occasions he earned also his EK2 and EK1 spangen.
He was married and well eductated (high school diploma, spoke english and french)
There are a lot of more information in this book.
Regards
Christian

[CWP]

Nice Wehrpass!

[Gerdan]

His father was a "Geheimer Sanitätsrat", a medical doctor with a special honorary rank.

Gerdan

[Archi]

Hi all !

Rob, if this is you first Wehrpass, I think you picked up an interesting one and made a good start !
At least I think one can learn a lot lot from the many different entries.

Some additional informations on his career :
This officer ended WW I as Leutnant (d.R., der Reserve.). His unit was dissolved
in January 1919, because of the general Demobilization (page 24).

Before WW II he made several training exercises (succesfully, page 28-29).
It is also stated there, that this officer would be capable of leading a battalion.
Because of that, he was promoted to Oberlt. and finally Hauptmann (d.R.) (page 37).

At the start of WW II he was drafted into a replacement unit, Art.Ers.Abt. 267 in Hildesheim :
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/...rsAbt267-R.htm

On 4th December 1939, he was transferred to 9. Batterie/Art.Rgt. 183, of the 83. Inf.Div.,
which was just starting to form at that time at Bergen training ground :
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/...ionen/83ID.htm

Shortly after the start of the attack against France in May 1940, he was sent to a 4 weeks
training course for battalion leaders (page 21).

His division took over occupation tasks and then was sent on leave for several month (09/40-02/1941).
(also page 21). This happened to several German divisions, because of the general lack of workforce.

When the division was called up again, his working time was prolonged as he became uk.
from 8.2.41-30.4.41 (page 46). During this time he was officially dismissed on 17.4.41 (page 47).

However, for whatever reasons, he was already reactivated again on 1.8.41. He served for a few
month in two different replacement units and was then transferred to IV./Art.Rgt. 385 of the 385. Inf.Div. :
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/...onen/385ID.htm

For his actions with this division, he was awarded the EK II, EK I and the Ostmedaille (p. 38).
He was also promoted to Maj. d.R. on 1.8.1942 during this time (page 22).
This division was destroyed in the aftermath of the Stalingrad battles and therefore this officer
was transferred to s.Art.Ers.Abt. II./169 from 19.2.43 - 22.05.44, with 2 short two week intermezzos
at "Höherer Küsten-Artillerie-Kommandeur Nord" (page 21 and 13).

He must have suffered heavily in the Russian winter, as he was in hospital for 3 month from
19.2. - 18.5.43 because of a myocardial damage (page 34). (It would be interesting what is
written on page 48 connected to this).

The last position was with Art.Rgt. 170 of the 70. Inf.Div. This was a very special division, because
many of its soldiers suffered from stomach disorders :
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/...ionen/70ID.htm

This division defended the Walcheren peninsula and was destroyed there in November 1944. It would be
interesting to know, what happened to this soldier after 5. September 1944. Are there any hints
in the Wehrpass ?!

Cheers,

Archi

PS : While I wrote my post, I didn't notice that there have been many additional posts, so I apologize
for possible repetitions !

[joefriday22]

Thank you all very much for taking the time to educate me on this wehrpass..I appreciate all of the information very much.

Archi, regarding page 48.

[Hank C.]

Thank you all very much for taking the time to educate me on this wehrpass..I appreciate all of the information very much.

Archi, regarding page 48.

Missing since the 5th of Sept 1944, Northeast of Ghent, Belgium. Interesting...

Hank