Grenadier Wehrpass I picked up today.. My first!

[BROBS]

Wish I could read German. I understand some but not all.

First one I've ever picked up... Was a good price and complete.





















Thanks for any info on it.
-Brian

[Hank C.]

Interesting. He was a "fahrer von Bock" (basically, he knew how to handle farm animals) and received training as an assistant stretcher bearer.

He was born in Gleiwitz, from the area of Kattowitz, which is today part of Poland (I believe), so in the far eastern part of then-Germany.

Looks like his civilian occupation was Office worker.

No awards, it appears he was deemed unfit for Tropical service in '43.

That's a bit of it. I'm not familiar with the units, hopefully somebody else can help with those.

best
Hank

[BROBS]

Hank,
Thanks so much for the breakdown. I didn't think I saw any awards in there but interesting to know of his training and fitness for service. He appears in the photo to have quite the lazy eye.

-Brian

[jmark]

One page 20, you can see that he was trained on the "I.K.H. 290 (r), the Infanterie Kanone Haubitze 290 (r), a Russian 7,62 cm infantry gun. I've never seen this entry before.

I'm not exactly sure which model it refers to, but it's probably the one below. However, I stand to be corrected as weaponry is not my thing.

All the best,
Jason

- - -

[jmark]

By the way, Gren.Rgt.919 belonged to 709. Infanterie-Division and was in Normandy during D-Day:

http://www.6juin1944.com/assaut/alle...dex.php?id=709

The latest date I can see in the Wehrpass is 1.3.1944. Perhaps this Wehrpass was captured by Allied forces? Some more research needs to be done. A few people on this forum collect Normandy IDs, they might be able to help.

This guy does not appear on Volksbund, so it's highly likely he was not KIA or MIA.

You've got an interesting ID that will benefit from more research.

Hope that helps.
Jason

[Jonathan M]

A nice little first WP. As mentioned above by Jason the 709 ID was stationed in Normandy, near Utah Beach. Your man was with the 13th Company, (IG) infanterie geshutz (infantery gun) most likely equipped with the Russian field guns above. Interesting to note that the 919th GR was transferred from the 242nd ID in October 1943. The letters KR next to the 919th entry on page 20 dated 28.9.43 denote he served actively with the unit. Looking at the Division's combat record in Normandy there is a very high possibility that if not KIA then your man was made a POW in Cherbourg. A very neat little Normandy WP

Jonathan

PS 3./I/G.R.919 was stationed at the village of La Madeleine just off Utah Beach

[BROBS]

Thank you guys so much for the additional information!! That's amazing that this man was at Normandy and most likely captured!

Great info on the artillery he fired and his unit. Is there any way to get more information about this man?

On US records I know how to put in a request for a personnel file. Is there such a file for German soldiers?

Thanks again for all your help. I would have thought it nothing more than a neat booklet. I need to learn to speak German!
-Brian

[Hank C.]

Thank you guys so much for the additional information!! That's amazing that this man was at Normandy and most likely captured!g t

....edit....
-Brian

To keep it realistic, insert "possibly" instead of "was at". With the last date being 1 Mar '44 in the book, there are a number of other possibilities.

Not trying to bring you down, just at this point we can't say with certainty he was definitely at Normandy.

best
Hank