Soldbuch and Document to Pz Jgr. Abt. 128 / 23. Pz. Division

[erichcraciun]

Here is a recent pickup to Fahnenjunker Robert Fenzl.

[erichcraciun]

Fenzl served with Flak units for the majority of this service, in particular Panzerjäger Abteilung 128 of the 23. Panzer Division. The 128th specialized in the use of captured Soviet T-34s and Su 85s. A very interesting, detail report about the reliabilty, strengths and weaknesses of the vehicles was written, entitled "Erfahrungsbericht über die Instandsetzung und Einsatz russischer Panzerkampfwagen Typ T 34 und SU 85.", can be found here:

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/...richt128-R.htm

Fenzl later went on to use his experience in training units and later this time with a Fortress Flak Unit in Belfort, France.

[erichcraciun]

Fenzl recevied most of his equipment through Flak units and was issued a number of weapons including a Masch. Pistole(?) and a ...Beutepistole (?) cannot make the last entry out.

[erichcraciun]

The only think missing from this book is the award page, page 21 and 22.

From the documents that came with the book he earned the EK 2. Klasse, the nice large format version of the document signed by Generalmajor Nikolaus von Vormann, and was awarded the wound badge.

[Ian Jewison]

and a ...Beutepistole (?) cannot make the last entry out.

Leuchtpistole

[erichcraciun]

Did not even think of that Ian.

Thanks

Erich

[Ian Jewison]

Interesting....can not find a FP Nr. for 3 Kp. or as independent 633!

3 (Fla.) Kp, Pz.Jäg.Abt. 128 was formed July 1942 from Fla Kp. 633

[erichcraciun]

I also did not find anything about the 3. Kp.

I am more than disappointed that the awards page is missing. I wonder if a Army Flak badge could have been listed.

[Ian Jewison]

Because he was Infanterie Fla rather than Heeres Flak if anything he would have had an Allgemeine Sturmabzeichen.

/Ian

[Archi]

Hello Erich and Ian !

To me, a very interesting Soldbuch, for a soldier who saw action in Russia and Caucasus in 42/43
and on the Westfront in 1944/45 ! (both interesting for me). Thanks for showing .

Some remarks :
I found it interesting that this soldier, almost spent a whole year in replacement units, before he was sent
to the field. Was this typical for draftees in early 1941 or maybe caused due to his transfer from
an Arty to Flak-arty unit (p.4 + p.6)?!

Regarding his first field unit :
There is a book by Freter, dealing with this Heeres-Flak-Artillerie units. It has almost nothing on Fla-Kp. 633,
but some info on 632, which shares many similarities.
632 was raised in Jan. 1942, sent to Bordeaux, (where 22. Pz.Div. was in formation), and in Feb/March 42,
was sent to the Eastern front with 22. Pz.Div., to become 3./Pz.Jg.Abt. 140.
If you look at SB p. 6/7 (equipment), things could have been similar for Fla-Kp.(mot.) 633, (IMO).

At least his wounding on 14.5.42, with -31b- and beeing sent to Kriegs-Laz. 297 (of 297. ID), which at that time
was in the Charkow-area,
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/...rte/LI0542.jpg
shows that the battle calendar might be misleading and that his unit was sent to field earlier.

Fla-Kp. 633 consisted of 8- 2cm Flak guns and 2- 2cm Vierling-Flak guns (all on Sfl./tracked veh.), as shown in the scan.

-----------
For his second unit, some more infos are available :
This unit was fully motorized, 1.-3. Kp. had 12- 2cm Flak each and the 4.Kp. had 8- 2cm Flak Vierling-guns, .

According to the book by Freter, elements of 4.Kp./808 fought at the Ballon d'Alsace in mid October, while others
fought at the Col du Bussang (~ 50km N Belfort).
In October, the Btl. fought closely related to Btl. 807 (roughly in the area of 338. ID (IV. Lw.Feld-Korps)).
End of Oct. 1944, the Btl. was moved South to the area Montbeliard and Tretudans and from then on fought under
LXIII. AK. in the Colmar bridgehead.

It seems, during the retreat in Jan. 1945, he was wounded by an accident. On 7.3.45 he was released from hospital
and after that, he had a two weeks leave.
It would be interesting, what happened after that ?!

Best regards,

Archi

[erichcraciun]

Hallo Archi,

danke für die ausführliche Ergänzung!

Erich