Panzer Soldbuch - 5th Panzer Regiment

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Hi everyone,

I'm very excited to pick up my first Panzer crew member Soldbuch as it is a really neat piece of history. This soldier was in some major early tank engagement of the war: Poland, France, Afrika. Not only that, he was issued a PAB at a VERY early date. I am still doing research on this, so bear with me, it won't be as elaborate as most. Since I am somewhat new at this, your help in making sure all is okay with it is appreciated! This is what I can see so far

- 13 March 1939 - Rudolf was issued his soldbuch with the 2./Panzer Rgt. 5
- He stayed with the 2./Panzer Rgt 5 for his entire career

- 1 August 1939 - Awarded Sudetenland Medal with Prague Bar

<> Participated in the invasion of Poland with the 3rd Pz Div

<> Participated in the Battle of France with the 3rd Pz Div

- 4 July 1940 - Awarded Panzerkampfwagenabzeichen early name for PAB in Silver

<> In the Fall of 1940, the 5th Pz Rgt was transferred from the 3rd Pz Div to the 5th Light Division (later 21st Pz Div) and sent to Afrika in Spring 1941

<> Rudolf fought with his unit in the siege of Tobruk with the following recognitions

- 1 August 1941 - Promoted to Feldwebel
- 9 September 1941 - Awarded EK2
- 24 October 1941 - Awarded EK1
- 1 November 1941 - Rudolf was wounded (I cannot read how/what happened)
- 30 December 1941 - Awarded VWA in Black

<> At this time it appears Rudolf was evacuated back to Germany and sent to a hospital near Berlin in Neurippen

<> After his recovery, he spent the remainder of 1942 with Pnz Ersatz Abt 5 which was also stationed in Neurippen

- 2 April 1943 - He returned to Afrika just in time (unfortunately) for the Fall of Tunisia

- 7 May 1943 - He was wounded by shrapnel (31b) and is the last entry I can find

<--> The grouping comes with his EK2 document, 2 photos from Feb 1940 as well as his civil driver's license and military discharge papers from 1948 (He survived!)

If you can help me if I missed anything?

Also, is there a way to tell by the entries here what position he was in the tank?

Thanks for looking and as always, opinions are welcome!

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Soldbuch issue and promotion

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unit history and the start of equipment issue

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Equipment

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And more equipment

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Any ideas what is entered on Page 8?

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Pistol, shovel, gasmask issue

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Immunizations

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Hospital entries

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An entry I'm not sure about and his entry signifying his return to Afrika

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His pay increase with promotion and another entry I could use your help with

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Pay details and all of his awards

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And lastly a prelim entry (first entry of sudetenland and PAB) with full original PAB name

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That's it for now. Thanks for looking and for any help!

[Simon O.]

IMO, that he was a feldwebel and got the EKI point to him being a tank commander.