What does this entry say?

[Volkbert]

I collect wehrpasses and soldbuchs from german soldiers who fought in Holland. I thought I found one but am not sure now I have it at my home. Can someone help me with the last four sentences on the picture. I think it says something like:

Luftlandung und kampfe
in der Festung Holland
zuletzt: als angehoriger der ?????
nicht zum einsatz gekommen

It seems to me that he did not took part in the fights. What do you think about it?

[Hank C.]

It looks like Erdstaffel?? But no idea what that would be.....

[Michael Miller]

Any references to the unit(s) with which he served? Appears he was involved, as member of the Erdstaffel (presumably a ground element of a Fallschirm unit) in combat in the Netherlands in the early stages of the Western Campaign. Very intriguing entries.

Best,
~ Mike

[Michael Miller]

"Luftlandung" means air landing, perhaps a reference to his landing with a glider in "Festung Holland" and then engaging in combat (Kampfe).

~ Mike

[Michael Miller]

Any reference in the Soldbuch to the 22.Infanterie-Division (Luftlande) under Generalleutnant Hans Graf von Sponeck?

~ Mike

[Volkbert]

Sorry I forgot to mention the unit he fought in. This guy was a member of the staff of regiment 65 (the wp say Stab IR 65). This regiment was part of the 22 infantry division who entered Holland with transport airplanes.

[Ian Jewison]

The entry says the he was a member of the ground squadron and was not used in action.

Typical entry for a member of 22 (Luftlande) Infanterie Division. I have 4 with the same if not similar entries.

/Ian

[Volkbert]

Ian: do you anything about the reason why some were not put into action on this mission?

[Ian Jewison]

Ian: do you anything about the reason why some were not put into action on this mission?

I would imagine like any unit, some would take part in the action, some would be support of those in action either on ground or air, some would be in reserve and the remainder on other duties.
Unfortunately all the one's I have to this unit did not take part in any "Einsatz" either!

/Ian

[bhholst]

I would imagine like any unit, some would take part in the action, some would be support of those in action either on ground or air, some would be in reserve and the remainder on other duties.
Unfortunately all the one's I have to this unit did not take part in any "Einsatz" either!

/Ian

Hello:
The history of the 22.I.D. (LL) gives a total number of 2,000 men airlanded in Holland. The "Erdstaffel" and those Airlanding Units which were not deployed or did not succeed in landing by air for different reasons, subsequently never entered Holland . Casualties amounted to 48 % of officers and 28 % of other ranks, some units up to half of their strength (III./16 and II./65)The regimental commander of I.R.65 Oberst Friemel was taken prisoner.
It is my opinion that "Erdstaffel" units were to rejoin their parent formations by land at a later time entering Holland to do so. The divisional history gives the composition of the "Erdstaffel" as those divisional/regimental components which could not be air transported, such as le.Feldhaubitzen 18 of the A.R.22, Feldkuechen and baggage trains. Therefore both combat as well as support troops made up the "Erdstaffel".
It appears that some units of the division were slated to be deployed in Norway (Narvik) but the outcome there made this unnecessary.
I hope to have been able to somewhat clarify matters.
Bernhard H.Holst

[Volkbert]

Thank you very much Bernhard! I still have to buy that book on the 22nd division but it is rare and expensive! But it contains the info I needed.

[Gary T]

Here are scans from a WP to a memeber of 6./ IR 16 who did take part in the actual landings.

Units:

[Gary T]

EK2 entry awarded for the Holland action:

[Gary T]

Battle\campaign entry:

[Volkbert]

WOW great Werhpass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This was what I hoped for.