Tracing a soldiers service record

[StuGIII]

Hi,

I have the photo of a German soldier and I'd like to find out more about his service. His name was Otto Friedrich and at the time the photo was taken, he was a Gefreiter in the 5th Kompanie of the 19th Infantry Regiment. Would anything pertaining to his service still exist? Any help or advice would be appreciated.

John

[LuckyStrike23]

Look here:
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/...enter/IR19.htm

The Infanterieregiment19 was a part of the 7.Infanteriedivision.
The picture must be before oktober 1942, because then it was called Grenadierregiment19.
The 7. Infanteriedivision (bavaria) has a veteran accociation:
7. (bayer.) Infanterie-Division
Dietmar Schmidtgen
Leipziger Str. 37
80992 M******252;nchen
Tel./Fax (089) 1 41 1789
I Think you have a chance to find some veterans of 5.Kp/InfRgt19 (when you speak a good german).
But be aware most veterans have some problems with military collectors.
There is also a book "Chronik der 7.Infanteriedivison" but i think only in german language.

[StuGIII]

Otto Friedrich

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, I don't speak German. Well I might be able to say a few words,but I can't hold a conversation with someone. Thanks for telling me the photo was taken before Oct 1942. Otto has a sports badge of some sort and he also has the Iron Cross 2nd Class ribbon. Too bad I can't email that 7th Infantry Division Association. The photo was taken in the town or village of Waldkirche,though I can't make out the name of the studio that took it.

John

[LuckyStrike23]

Make a copy of this pictures and write a few words (but i dont know if this accociation still exist today, this link is of 2003 or 04). Perhaps this Otto Friedrich is still alive.
A half year ago i have bought an interesting panzer wrap by a big dealer and 3 weeks later i have found the first owner (Lt in PzRgt11), 81 years old and he told me, why and how this wrapper had survived the war and all the years and still much more.