Our soldier is Erwin Härtelt and he was born in Lawalde (Dresden-Bautzen) on December 4th, 1.920.
His parents were Richard and Olga Härtelt (maiden name of his mother was Seyffert) and he took his studies in an Agricultural School preparing to be a farmer as his father was.
His Wehrpass was open on August 10th, 1.939 by W.B.K. Bautzen and we know that he had no language knowledge but possessed the Civilian driver´s License 3rd class.
On that date he was declared fit for service with Ersatzreserve I and was exempted for R.A.D. service.
On October 1.940 his time to serve in the Wehrmacht arrived and he was inducted on October 3rd into 2. Battr. Art. Ers. Abt. 223, the next day was declared fit for service and he took his oath on the 19th.
His Soldbuch was open by this unit on October 17th with number 2455 and dogtag 1638.
His training with this unit lasted from October 3rd, 1.940 till February 21st, 1.941 with Truppenstammrolle number 2455. During his time with this unit he was trained in the use of the Gewher 98 and also as radio operator, horseman and received the military Driver´s License 3rd class and for vehicles up to 10 tons. Just prior his transfer he was used uniforms and equipment on February 21st by II./Art.Ers.Abt. 223
His transfer to a combat unit put him in 2./Heeresflak Artillerie Abteilung (mot) 274 from February 22nd, 1.941 till August 10th, 1.941. His Kriegs Stammrille Nr. was 41/99. Incidentally it was created just the same day as he arrived with personal from the 2 Batteries from schemers Artillerie Abteilung 101 and 153 as a three Batterie unit and as Heerestruppe serving with 2 Armee.
While serving with it he started to suffer health problems which put him into hospital several times,
- In Reservelazarett Meissen from March 20th till March 21st, 1.941 for Phlegnome (illness that make some parts of the body to swollen in his case the feet) was released to the troops. Wehrsold on March 21st (period March 21st till March 31st) 10 R.M.
War begins and he served in the Russian front since day one, in direction to Brest Litovsk, fighting inn Bialnstok and Slonin, attacking Smislotsch and Beresina.
- July 10th, 1.941 he entered the Kr.S. Stelle Bobruisch for the same illness and was transfer to a new hospital on the same day.
- In Reserve Kriegslazarett Biala Podlafka from July 10th till August 14th, 1.941 with the same diagnosis in his right foot. Being discharged to a Collecting point in the front to be sent to his unit (Frontsammelstelle) During this time he received as Wehrsold on July 10th (period July 10th till July 21st) 30 R.M., on July 21st (period July 21st till August 1st) 30 R.M., on August 1st (period Augus 1st till August 10th) 30 R.M. and on August 14th (period August 11th till August 21st) another 30 R.M.
He was back to his unit, but sometime into his service he was sent to the 3 Batterie where he served till June 30th, 1.942 (depite the fact that in his Wehrpass is a new line from August 11th, 1.941 I have other entries that suggest he continues to serve with the 2 Batterie after August 10th). New Kriegs Stammrolle Nr. was 233/41
After his small break in the hospital he took part in the fights in Kritschew and Gomel, the advances to Dessna and Sznow, the fights in Tschernogow, the reach and take of Kiew, the defensive fights in Ssudostj, the crossing of the Dessna, battles in Bryansk, advance towards southeast Orel, offensive and defensive battles towards Tula and Jefremow and the defense of northeast of Orel. All of this till May 42 when the 16 Panzer Division was put on reserve till end of June when it was back into the fight as part of Fall Blue
- Promoted to Gefreiter by 2./Heeresflak Artillerie Abteilung (mot) 274 on December 1st, 1.941 and confirmed in his Soldbuch the same date by Oberleutnant und Batteriechef Krüger.
- Leave on May 14th to visit Lawalde for Einsatzurlaub from May 16th till 30th stamped by Fp 39060 (2./H.F.A.A. (mot) 274) and signed by a Leutnant und Stelve Batterie Führer.
On July 1st, 1.942 the unit was redesigned as IV./Pz.Art.Rgt. 16 so he went to serve on 12 (Flak)./Pz.Art.Rgt. 16 (former 3./ 274). This change was only notated in his Wehrpass with service dates from July 1st, 1.942 till April 21st, 1.943. Kriegs Stammrolle Nr. not changed.
With his new name he took part in the advance in the Caucasus towards Stalingrad, he took part in the advance on the Don, fights in Kalitsch-Ostrowskij-Kletskaya and the Kalmukian steppe, the initial assault at Stalingrad, but then he was evacuated around beginning of November as you can read a little more forward.
- Awarded the Ostmedaille on July 4th, 1.942 for service between November 15th, 1.941 and April 15th, 1.942 by Kommanduer der Heeresflak Artillerie Abteilung (mot) 274 Dr. Lang, signed in both Soldbuch and Wehrpass by an Oberleutnant und Batteriechef, stamp not readable.
While fighting in Stalingrad he was evacuated due gastric desease and he was interned in Reservelazarett Sprottau from November 11th till December 22nd, 1.942 and this saved him from the fate of hundreds of thousands of German Soldiers in Stalingrad, dead or imprisionment in Russia for 11 years (According to some post war research an unknown number of members were taken P.O.W. after Stalingrad, but only 128 returned from captivity). Received Wehrsold payments on November 24th (period October 1st till November 10th) 12 R.M. and on December 19th (period November 11th till January 10th,, 1.943) 72 R.M. (money to spend at home in his leave starting in three days). He also renewed his equipment and uniform on November 16th by the Reserve Lazarett Sprottau depot.
- Leave on December 20th to visit Lawalde for Genesenungsurlaub from December 22nd, 1.942 till January 6th, 1.943 stamped by Reservelazarett Sprottau and signed by an Oberstabsarzt.
Imposible to go back to his unit he was allocated to Marschbatterie Heeresflak Art.Ers.Abt 273 from which he received kit on two dates, first January 30th, 1.943 and second March 24th, 1.943 (the last just returned from his leave)
- First security check by Marschbatterie Heeresflak Art.Ers.Abt. 273 with Truppenstammrille number 422/43 on February 6th, 1.943
- Leave on March 8th, 1.943 to visit Lawalde for Erholungsurlaub from March 8th till March 23rd stamped by 3./ 274 and signed by an Oberleutnant und Batteriechef
- Leave on April 14th to visit (work) Lawalde for Landwirchschaftzurlaub from April 15th till April 30th stamped by Stabsbatterie./274 and singer by an Oberleutnant und Einheitsführer.
The original 16 Panzer Division was destroyed in February 1.943 in Stalingrad but since end of January a new one was being formed in Bretagne, France.
Again the unit recover his previous name and from April 22nd till the end he served with 3./Heeresflak Artillerie Abteilung (mot) 274 with the same Kriegs Stammrolle Nr.
At the end of May the new 16 Panzer Division left the wonderful French countryside to go to the no less wonderful Italy arriving there in June to the Tuscany and in July to Bari. With the Sicily campaign in full march it was tasked to protect Apulia region and Southern Italy. In August they secured the Gulf of Tarento. In September they took part in the fights against the Salerno landings from 10th till 18th and later the battles till rivers Garigliano and Sangro.
- Promoted to Obergefreiter on June 1st, 1.943 by 3./Heeresflak Artillerie Abteilung (mot) 274 and confirmed on June 13th by Oberleutnant und Batteriechef Siebert.
- Received equipment and uniforms om July 9th by 3/ Heeresflak Art. Abt. (mot) 274.
- No leave matching, but notated a Führerpacket on July 12th, 1943.
- Decorated with the Iron Cross 2nd class on October 6th, 1943 by Kommandeur der 16 Panzer Division and signed in both Soldbuch and Wehrpass by Oberleutnant Siebert as Batteriechef and stamped with Fp. 37985 D
- Decorated with the Driver´s Badge in bronze on November 16th, 1.943. Signed and stamped as the EK II entry.
End of November again the division was sent to Russia arriving to Bobruisk in December and there it fought in Pripiet, in west of Kiew, in the battles in Shaschkow and Ilinzy and helping to free the troops in the Tscherkassy vessel just to be trapped itself in the Kamenets Podolsky pocket (it fought towards the line Winniza-Jampol-Tschernowitz). After free from the Hube Pocket it fought in the higher Dniester and in the Karpatos Mountains.
- Second security check Heeresflak Art.Abt. (mot) 274 signed by Oberluetnant und Batteriechef Siebert and with Kr.Str. Nr. 233/41 on December 1st, 1.943.
- Leave on February 26th, 1.944 to visit Lewalde for Erholungsurlaub from March 3rd till March 21st. Stamped Fp. 37985 D and signed by Leutnant Klemens. For this leave he receive a Führergeschenks on February 26th and stamped and signed as the leave.
- Decorated with the General Assault Badge on April 23rd, 1.944. In Soldbuch by Kdr.Pz.Flak Abt. 16 and stamped by the unit (274) and signed by Siebert. In Wehrpass by Heeresflak Artillerie Abteilung (mot) 274 without stamp or signature.
- Leave on April 27th to visit Lewalde for Kurzurlaub from April 28th till May 2nd. Stamped by Marschbatterie./Heeres Flak Art.Ers.Abt. 273 and signed by a Hauptmann.
- Decorated with the Army Flak Badge on April 30th, 1.944. In Soldbuch by O.K.H. Gen.d.H.Flaktruppen and stamped and signed as the G.A.B. In Wehrpass Gen.d.Heeres.Flaktruppen no signature or stamp.
- Received equipment and uniforms on May 2nd from Marshbatterie./Heeresflak Art. Ers. Abt. 273
- Again resupplied on June 12th by 3./Heeresflak Art.Abt. (mpt) 274
- Decorated with the Driver’s Badge in silver on June 13th, 1.944. In Soldbuch and Wehrpass by Heeres Flak Art.Abt. (mot) 274, Soldbuch signed by a Leutnant and stamped by the unit and in Wehrpass neither signature nor stamp.
The 16 Panzer Division retreated to Poland and took part in several anti partisan operations including those around Doleszyce in August 44. It fought in the Weichsel and Baranow area till being trapped again in January 45 at the beginning of the Vistula-Oder offensive.
- Third security check by Stabsbatterie/ Heeres Flak Art. Abt. (mot) 274 signed by Hauptmann und batteriechef Siebert and with Kr.Str. Nr. 233/41 on September 1st, 1.944.
- Fourth security check by Heeres Flak Art. Abt. (mot) 274 signed by Hauptmann und Batteriechef Siebert and with Kr.Str. Nr. 233/41 on December 24th, 1944.
After recover and refitted in February the unit fought in Silesia and Checoslovaquia and try to surrender to the U.S. Army at the end of the war, but only some elements succeeded, others were captured by the Red Army. He fought close to his home in the last months so imagine the stress of battle multiply by the chance of your home being shelled by the artillery who is shooting in front of you or bombed by the aircrafts you can not shot down.
Unfortunately the Wehrpass battle pages was not updated after mid July 44 and last entry in Soldbuch is dated April 23rd, 1.945 when he returned his Kar98k and bayonet so clearly he fought till the end, but no details so any help is welcomed so show us any Wehrpass from 16 Pz.Div. or share details of this division service in general and, better, this unit in particular.
Angel
His parents were Richard and Olga Härtelt (maiden name of his mother was Seyffert) and he took his studies in an Agricultural School preparing to be a farmer as his father was.
His Wehrpass was open on August 10th, 1.939 by W.B.K. Bautzen and we know that he had no language knowledge but possessed the Civilian driver´s License 3rd class.
On that date he was declared fit for service with Ersatzreserve I and was exempted for R.A.D. service.
On October 1.940 his time to serve in the Wehrmacht arrived and he was inducted on October 3rd into 2. Battr. Art. Ers. Abt. 223, the next day was declared fit for service and he took his oath on the 19th.
His Soldbuch was open by this unit on October 17th with number 2455 and dogtag 1638.
His training with this unit lasted from October 3rd, 1.940 till February 21st, 1.941 with Truppenstammrolle number 2455. During his time with this unit he was trained in the use of the Gewher 98 and also as radio operator, horseman and received the military Driver´s License 3rd class and for vehicles up to 10 tons. Just prior his transfer he was used uniforms and equipment on February 21st by II./Art.Ers.Abt. 223
His transfer to a combat unit put him in 2./Heeresflak Artillerie Abteilung (mot) 274 from February 22nd, 1.941 till August 10th, 1.941. His Kriegs Stammrille Nr. was 41/99. Incidentally it was created just the same day as he arrived with personal from the 2 Batteries from schemers Artillerie Abteilung 101 and 153 as a three Batterie unit and as Heerestruppe serving with 2 Armee.
While serving with it he started to suffer health problems which put him into hospital several times,
- In Reservelazarett Meissen from March 20th till March 21st, 1.941 for Phlegnome (illness that make some parts of the body to swollen in his case the feet) was released to the troops. Wehrsold on March 21st (period March 21st till March 31st) 10 R.M.
War begins and he served in the Russian front since day one, in direction to Brest Litovsk, fighting inn Bialnstok and Slonin, attacking Smislotsch and Beresina.
- July 10th, 1.941 he entered the Kr.S. Stelle Bobruisch for the same illness and was transfer to a new hospital on the same day.
- In Reserve Kriegslazarett Biala Podlafka from July 10th till August 14th, 1.941 with the same diagnosis in his right foot. Being discharged to a Collecting point in the front to be sent to his unit (Frontsammelstelle) During this time he received as Wehrsold on July 10th (period July 10th till July 21st) 30 R.M., on July 21st (period July 21st till August 1st) 30 R.M., on August 1st (period Augus 1st till August 10th) 30 R.M. and on August 14th (period August 11th till August 21st) another 30 R.M.
He was back to his unit, but sometime into his service he was sent to the 3 Batterie where he served till June 30th, 1.942 (depite the fact that in his Wehrpass is a new line from August 11th, 1.941 I have other entries that suggest he continues to serve with the 2 Batterie after August 10th). New Kriegs Stammrolle Nr. was 233/41
After his small break in the hospital he took part in the fights in Kritschew and Gomel, the advances to Dessna and Sznow, the fights in Tschernogow, the reach and take of Kiew, the defensive fights in Ssudostj, the crossing of the Dessna, battles in Bryansk, advance towards southeast Orel, offensive and defensive battles towards Tula and Jefremow and the defense of northeast of Orel. All of this till May 42 when the 16 Panzer Division was put on reserve till end of June when it was back into the fight as part of Fall Blue
- Promoted to Gefreiter by 2./Heeresflak Artillerie Abteilung (mot) 274 on December 1st, 1.941 and confirmed in his Soldbuch the same date by Oberleutnant und Batteriechef Krüger.
- Leave on May 14th to visit Lawalde for Einsatzurlaub from May 16th till 30th stamped by Fp 39060 (2./H.F.A.A. (mot) 274) and signed by a Leutnant und Stelve Batterie Führer.
On July 1st, 1.942 the unit was redesigned as IV./Pz.Art.Rgt. 16 so he went to serve on 12 (Flak)./Pz.Art.Rgt. 16 (former 3./ 274). This change was only notated in his Wehrpass with service dates from July 1st, 1.942 till April 21st, 1.943. Kriegs Stammrolle Nr. not changed.
With his new name he took part in the advance in the Caucasus towards Stalingrad, he took part in the advance on the Don, fights in Kalitsch-Ostrowskij-Kletskaya and the Kalmukian steppe, the initial assault at Stalingrad, but then he was evacuated around beginning of November as you can read a little more forward.
- Awarded the Ostmedaille on July 4th, 1.942 for service between November 15th, 1.941 and April 15th, 1.942 by Kommanduer der Heeresflak Artillerie Abteilung (mot) 274 Dr. Lang, signed in both Soldbuch and Wehrpass by an Oberleutnant und Batteriechef, stamp not readable.
While fighting in Stalingrad he was evacuated due gastric desease and he was interned in Reservelazarett Sprottau from November 11th till December 22nd, 1.942 and this saved him from the fate of hundreds of thousands of German Soldiers in Stalingrad, dead or imprisionment in Russia for 11 years (According to some post war research an unknown number of members were taken P.O.W. after Stalingrad, but only 128 returned from captivity). Received Wehrsold payments on November 24th (period October 1st till November 10th) 12 R.M. and on December 19th (period November 11th till January 10th,, 1.943) 72 R.M. (money to spend at home in his leave starting in three days). He also renewed his equipment and uniform on November 16th by the Reserve Lazarett Sprottau depot.
- Leave on December 20th to visit Lawalde for Genesenungsurlaub from December 22nd, 1.942 till January 6th, 1.943 stamped by Reservelazarett Sprottau and signed by an Oberstabsarzt.
Imposible to go back to his unit he was allocated to Marschbatterie Heeresflak Art.Ers.Abt 273 from which he received kit on two dates, first January 30th, 1.943 and second March 24th, 1.943 (the last just returned from his leave)
- First security check by Marschbatterie Heeresflak Art.Ers.Abt. 273 with Truppenstammrille number 422/43 on February 6th, 1.943
- Leave on March 8th, 1.943 to visit Lawalde for Erholungsurlaub from March 8th till March 23rd stamped by 3./ 274 and signed by an Oberleutnant und Batteriechef
- Leave on April 14th to visit (work) Lawalde for Landwirchschaftzurlaub from April 15th till April 30th stamped by Stabsbatterie./274 and singer by an Oberleutnant und Einheitsführer.
The original 16 Panzer Division was destroyed in February 1.943 in Stalingrad but since end of January a new one was being formed in Bretagne, France.
Again the unit recover his previous name and from April 22nd till the end he served with 3./Heeresflak Artillerie Abteilung (mot) 274 with the same Kriegs Stammrolle Nr.
At the end of May the new 16 Panzer Division left the wonderful French countryside to go to the no less wonderful Italy arriving there in June to the Tuscany and in July to Bari. With the Sicily campaign in full march it was tasked to protect Apulia region and Southern Italy. In August they secured the Gulf of Tarento. In September they took part in the fights against the Salerno landings from 10th till 18th and later the battles till rivers Garigliano and Sangro.
- Promoted to Obergefreiter on June 1st, 1.943 by 3./Heeresflak Artillerie Abteilung (mot) 274 and confirmed on June 13th by Oberleutnant und Batteriechef Siebert.
- Received equipment and uniforms om July 9th by 3/ Heeresflak Art. Abt. (mot) 274.
- No leave matching, but notated a Führerpacket on July 12th, 1943.
- Decorated with the Iron Cross 2nd class on October 6th, 1943 by Kommandeur der 16 Panzer Division and signed in both Soldbuch and Wehrpass by Oberleutnant Siebert as Batteriechef and stamped with Fp. 37985 D
- Decorated with the Driver´s Badge in bronze on November 16th, 1.943. Signed and stamped as the EK II entry.
End of November again the division was sent to Russia arriving to Bobruisk in December and there it fought in Pripiet, in west of Kiew, in the battles in Shaschkow and Ilinzy and helping to free the troops in the Tscherkassy vessel just to be trapped itself in the Kamenets Podolsky pocket (it fought towards the line Winniza-Jampol-Tschernowitz). After free from the Hube Pocket it fought in the higher Dniester and in the Karpatos Mountains.
- Second security check Heeresflak Art.Abt. (mot) 274 signed by Oberluetnant und Batteriechef Siebert and with Kr.Str. Nr. 233/41 on December 1st, 1.943.
- Leave on February 26th, 1.944 to visit Lewalde for Erholungsurlaub from March 3rd till March 21st. Stamped Fp. 37985 D and signed by Leutnant Klemens. For this leave he receive a Führergeschenks on February 26th and stamped and signed as the leave.
- Decorated with the General Assault Badge on April 23rd, 1.944. In Soldbuch by Kdr.Pz.Flak Abt. 16 and stamped by the unit (274) and signed by Siebert. In Wehrpass by Heeresflak Artillerie Abteilung (mot) 274 without stamp or signature.
- Leave on April 27th to visit Lewalde for Kurzurlaub from April 28th till May 2nd. Stamped by Marschbatterie./Heeres Flak Art.Ers.Abt. 273 and signed by a Hauptmann.
- Decorated with the Army Flak Badge on April 30th, 1.944. In Soldbuch by O.K.H. Gen.d.H.Flaktruppen and stamped and signed as the G.A.B. In Wehrpass Gen.d.Heeres.Flaktruppen no signature or stamp.
- Received equipment and uniforms on May 2nd from Marshbatterie./Heeresflak Art. Ers. Abt. 273
- Again resupplied on June 12th by 3./Heeresflak Art.Abt. (mpt) 274
- Decorated with the Driver’s Badge in silver on June 13th, 1.944. In Soldbuch and Wehrpass by Heeres Flak Art.Abt. (mot) 274, Soldbuch signed by a Leutnant and stamped by the unit and in Wehrpass neither signature nor stamp.
The 16 Panzer Division retreated to Poland and took part in several anti partisan operations including those around Doleszyce in August 44. It fought in the Weichsel and Baranow area till being trapped again in January 45 at the beginning of the Vistula-Oder offensive.
- Third security check by Stabsbatterie/ Heeres Flak Art. Abt. (mot) 274 signed by Hauptmann und batteriechef Siebert and with Kr.Str. Nr. 233/41 on September 1st, 1.944.
- Fourth security check by Heeres Flak Art. Abt. (mot) 274 signed by Hauptmann und Batteriechef Siebert and with Kr.Str. Nr. 233/41 on December 24th, 1944.
After recover and refitted in February the unit fought in Silesia and Checoslovaquia and try to surrender to the U.S. Army at the end of the war, but only some elements succeeded, others were captured by the Red Army. He fought close to his home in the last months so imagine the stress of battle multiply by the chance of your home being shelled by the artillery who is shooting in front of you or bombed by the aircrafts you can not shot down.
Unfortunately the Wehrpass battle pages was not updated after mid July 44 and last entry in Soldbuch is dated April 23rd, 1.945 when he returned his Kar98k and bayonet so clearly he fought till the end, but no details so any help is welcomed so show us any Wehrpass from 16 Pz.Div. or share details of this division service in general and, better, this unit in particular.
Angel
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