I recently acquired this pair of Wehrpässe for twin brothers, both of whom were killed in action. Hugo and Konrad Bill were born on 27 May 1922 in Nieder-Weisel in the county of Friedberg. Like their father, they were farmers. On 29 November 1940, the Bill brothers were conscripted for military service. Both served in the Reichsarbeitsdienst, or R.A.D. (National Labor Service), before being assigned to Army units. Konrad Bill's Wehrpaß is a Zweitschrift (Second-issue), and his R.A.D. service was not entered for some reason. In October 1941, the twins were assigned to separate Army units and in 1942, they both fought in Russia. Konrad Bill was shot through the right shoulder on 11 August 1942 while serving with the 6./Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 113. Surely, his parents and twin brother learned about this wound, but were thankful that he was not killed.
Gefreiter Hugo Bill, who served with the 9./Grenadier-Regiment 529 of the 299. Infanterie-Division (299th Infantry Division) was the first to be killed. He fell in Wasjutina(?) near Livny, Russia, on 5 February 1943. His Wehrpaß was closed out in the field, forwarded to his recruiting office in Friedberg and then sent to his parents. His parents were certainly heartbroken to learn of his death, but must have been thankful that his twin was still alive - but not for long. Konrad Bill, who was named after his father, served in many units during his service. He served briefly in Russia but was removed from a combat role soon after his twin brother's death, which may have been the reason for his transfer. From 25 February 1943, he served as a soldier in German-occupied France. This was doubtlessly a welcome assignment to him and his parents. On 16 May 1943, he was assigned to the 9. Infanterie-Geschütz Selbstfahrlafette Kompanie (9th Self-Propelled Howitzer Company) of Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 435. On 4 July 1943, the unit was renamed as 9. Infanterie-Geschütz Selbstfahrlafette Kompanie (9th Self-Propelled Howitzer Company) of Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 125 of the 21. Panzer-Division (21st Armored Division). Bill's company employed the 15cm s.FH 13/1 (Sf) auf GW Lorraine Schlepper(f) (SdKfz 135/1):
http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww...dKfz-135-1.php
Obergefreiter Konrad Bill fought from D-Day, 6 June 1944, to 4 August 1944. On 4 August 1944, he received a direct hit from an artillery shell, which decimated his right thigh. He was transported to the Krankensammelstelle (Medical Collecting Station) in Putanges, Normandy, France, where he died the same day. Bill's battalion was apparently overrun by Allied troops, and his first-issue Wehrpaß, like those of his comrades, were left behind during his unit's retreat. Two months after Konrad Bill's death, his Company Commander, an Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant), who on page 24, approved the award of the Kriegsverdienstkreuz II. Klasse mit Schwertern (War Merit Cross IInd Class with Swords), opened a Zweitschrift (Second-issue) Wehrpaß, It appears that his Wehrpaß was rapidly sent to his recruiting office in Friedberg, Germany, (it was opened at the Recruiting Office in Friedberg on 12 October 1944), and subsequently sent to his parents.
I find this to be a remarkably sad story. For their parents' sake, I hope that the Bill twins had other siblings. Out of curiosity, I'm wondering if anyone else knows of a pair of Wehrpässe for twins who were killed in action.
Barry
Gefreiter Hugo Bill, who served with the 9./Grenadier-Regiment 529 of the 299. Infanterie-Division (299th Infantry Division) was the first to be killed. He fell in Wasjutina(?) near Livny, Russia, on 5 February 1943. His Wehrpaß was closed out in the field, forwarded to his recruiting office in Friedberg and then sent to his parents. His parents were certainly heartbroken to learn of his death, but must have been thankful that his twin was still alive - but not for long. Konrad Bill, who was named after his father, served in many units during his service. He served briefly in Russia but was removed from a combat role soon after his twin brother's death, which may have been the reason for his transfer. From 25 February 1943, he served as a soldier in German-occupied France. This was doubtlessly a welcome assignment to him and his parents. On 16 May 1943, he was assigned to the 9. Infanterie-Geschütz Selbstfahrlafette Kompanie (9th Self-Propelled Howitzer Company) of Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 435. On 4 July 1943, the unit was renamed as 9. Infanterie-Geschütz Selbstfahrlafette Kompanie (9th Self-Propelled Howitzer Company) of Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 125 of the 21. Panzer-Division (21st Armored Division). Bill's company employed the 15cm s.FH 13/1 (Sf) auf GW Lorraine Schlepper(f) (SdKfz 135/1):
http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww...dKfz-135-1.php
Obergefreiter Konrad Bill fought from D-Day, 6 June 1944, to 4 August 1944. On 4 August 1944, he received a direct hit from an artillery shell, which decimated his right thigh. He was transported to the Krankensammelstelle (Medical Collecting Station) in Putanges, Normandy, France, where he died the same day. Bill's battalion was apparently overrun by Allied troops, and his first-issue Wehrpaß, like those of his comrades, were left behind during his unit's retreat. Two months after Konrad Bill's death, his Company Commander, an Oberleutnant (1st Lieutenant), who on page 24, approved the award of the Kriegsverdienstkreuz II. Klasse mit Schwertern (War Merit Cross IInd Class with Swords), opened a Zweitschrift (Second-issue) Wehrpaß, It appears that his Wehrpaß was rapidly sent to his recruiting office in Friedberg, Germany, (it was opened at the Recruiting Office in Friedberg on 12 October 1944), and subsequently sent to his parents.
I find this to be a remarkably sad story. For their parents' sake, I hope that the Bill twins had other siblings. Out of curiosity, I'm wondering if anyone else knows of a pair of Wehrpässe for twins who were killed in action.
Barry
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