Soldbuch 5 (s) Werfer Regiment - Russia and Italy

[erichcraciun]

Hello,

I just found this nice Soldbuch group this morning.

The Soldbuch is issued to Kanonier Paul Reinhard born in Glauchau by Chemnitz.

Reinhard orginally severed with the RAD Abteilung 2 / 33 some of the time being spent in Russia.

[erichcraciun]

Reinhard then entered active military service with Werfer Ausbildungs Abteilung 1 before being posted to 5 (s) Werfer Regiment 56 and then transferred to Italy to stabilize the precarious situation there - "Sicherungs Mittelitaliens".

Reinhard remained with this unit through the rest of the war and taking part in many of the major battles on the Italian Front.

[erichcraciun]

Reinhard actions are listed in detail in the attached replacement Wehrpass which was destroyed on 23.4. 1945.

Reinhard fought the retreating battles in Italy taking part in the defensive battles on the Rapido and Garigliano rivers, from 30.1 - 11.5. 1944 "Schlacht um Brückenkopf Nettuno", then from 12.5 - 28.8. 1944 "Abwehrschlacht in Mittelitaliens und Rückzügskämpfe" including battles around Cassino and Rom.

In June of 1944, the Regiment was attached to the 90. Panzer Grenadier Division (Reinhards EK document from 6. June 1944 is signed by Generalleutnant Ernst-Günther Baade). The Regiment continue to retreat under heavy losses supporting the battles in the Toscana and around Rimini.

[erichcraciun]

Reinhard was awarded the EK II, Verwundentenabzeichen in Schwarz and the Kraftfahrbewährungsabzeiche in Bronze.

[mufasa]

very nice and interesting Group... in particular the paper with the page of the campaigns of the Werfer Regiment 56 and the Baade EK2....

[JUNGCO]

Nice find.
Jeff

[i.spring]

very cool soldbuch collection ! :-)

[Ironcrown]

Wow, great grouping!
I like a lot Baade's signature, I have an Urkunde signed exactly in the same style, with very big writings

[mufasa]

this is returned in Rimini .... I got this little lot for the "Ersatz" Wehrpass, because the original was lost 23 april 1944 in Poggio Rusco (thanks Gerdan, the sutterling kills me!!)

[mufasa]

written on a printed papen then it will be done for several different soldiers ...

[mufasa]

April 20, 1945 the Allies free Bologna and Argenta and von Vietinghoff without waiting for authorization from Berlin, order to his Divisions the retreat behind the river Po ..

The Po river is a river deep and wide, and in April 1945 all its bridges were damaged or destroyed and cross it was a big problem for the Germans and for the Allies ...... In April 22 of the II Battaillon of the Werfer Regiment 56 is in Finale Emilia; The day after the arrives (always with allies around and under continuous bombaing) in Revere on the right bank of the Po River, where they destroy the the rockets and launchers. Finally the 24 they are on Ostiglia, the left bank of the River on the road to Verona

the bridge between Revere and Ostiglia before the war and today .......

[mufasa]

The position of the 5/ Werfer Regiment 56 the 23 april 1945

[mufasa]

the bridge Ostiglia-Revere during the war....

[mufasa]

Americans arrive...

[mufasa]

and the Americans engineers between Revere and Ostiglia....