Soldbuch and Kp. Chef. GR 918 Operation Dragoon

[erichcraciun]

Hello,

I just found this interesting set....

Soldbuch, RAD Ausweis, Award Documents and miscellaneous documents to Oberleutnant d.R. und Kompanie-Chef Werner Claus.

Claus chose as a career service in the Reichsarbeitsdients, beginning with the Deutsche Arbeitsdienst, later the Reichs Arbeitsdienst.

[erichcraciun]

On 24. August 1939 after completing his compulsory military service with 17. / Infanferie Regiment 101 in Döbeln, Claus signed up for service with the RAD until 31. December 1945. On 23. Juli 1938 Claus received his 4 year RAD service medal and the document was signed by Staatsminister Dr. Otto Meissner.

[erichcraciun]

The set came with a Deutsche Arbeitsdienst collar tab. I have never seen this type of collar tab before.

[erichcraciun]

During the French campaign, Claus served with Infanterie Regiment 247 / 94. Infanterie Division.

Claus’ EK 2. Klasse award document is signed by General der Infanterie Helmuth Volkmann (Volkmann has a very interesting and colorful military history, serving with both the Army and Air Force along with being the commander of the Legion Condor).

And the Soldbuch Foto of Claus with his Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse....

[erichcraciun]

I at first thought it a little odd that a member of the 94. ID earned an EK duirng the campaign in France since the 94. ID was not until later in the campaign involved in combat.....then looking a little closer....and closer...

Sometime in the summer of 1940, Claus lost his first Soldbuch and this Zweitschrift was issued on 12.7.1940. I was wondering why or how Claus lost his first issue Soldbuch then to my amazement I read on page 8 the interesting entry…”Diese Zweitschrift ist auf Grund der Abnahme des 1 Soldbuches in französischen Kriegsgefangenschaft ausgestellt worden”. Claus was a POW duing the French Campaign in 1940. First time I have ever seen this noted in a Soldbuch!

[erichcraciun]

And Claus' saga continues....

In 1941 Claus was promoted to Oberleutant der Reserve and the in March 1943 to Oberleutnant der Reserve and sometime in late 1943 or early 1944 transferred to Grenadier Regiment 918 of 242. Infanterie Division.

[erichcraciun]

On 17.2 1944 Claus was named Kompanie-Chef of Stabskompanie Grenadier Regiment 918. (Does anyone recognize the Regt. Kdr's / Führers' Name?)

Claus was in the south of France as Operation Dragoon began on 15. August 1944.

[erichcraciun]

Claus was serving with ill-equippedGrenadier-Regiment 918 of 242. Infanterie Division in South France during the Operation Dragoon. On 27. August, he was wounded during the battle of Tolouse.

In October of 1944, the 262. Infanterie Division was disbanded. Claus was then transferred closer to home and served with the Festungs-Infanterie-Bataillon (M) 1456 (M= soldiers with digestive tract problems) in Görlitz.

[erichcraciun]

Claus was issued a helmet Tarnnetz in February 1945.

Still doing some research here...over all an interesting group of documents.

[Lee Luke]

Very interesting group and the POW entry for the first French campaign is a rare thing to see!

[nonameno]

Hello Eric,
Very interesting soldbuch indeed! Were you able to track down what he received the EK2 in France for, or are you speculating that it was for combat related to being taken prisoner?
Thank you for sharing,
Curtiss

[erichcraciun]

Hello Curtiss,


either for being taken prisoner....less likely or perhaps a daring escape? No idea.

Hello Eric,
Very interesting soldbuch indeed! Were you able to track down what he received the EK2 in France for, or are you speculating that it was for combat related to being taken prisoner?
Thank you for sharing,
Curtiss

[nonameno]

Hi Erich,
Thank you for your reply. My guess would be for the combat which led up to his capture, assuming he was fighting with his unit and were overwhelmed. Nevertheless, a wonderful and interesting soldbuch to be sure. I myself am very interested in all things related to the 1940 campaign in the West.
Congratulations and best wishes,
Curtiss

[Luft 76]

Hello

Very interessant ! Nice group.

[jmark]

On 17.2 1944 Claus was named Kompanie-Chef of Stabskompanie Grenadier Regiment 918. (Does anyone recognize the Regt. Kdr's / Führers' Name?)

Looks like "Elsner".

Jason