In 2000, I purchased a hauptman 2<sup>nd</sup> model panzer wrap which was named to an Lt. Scheidemann dated 1940. It has several sets of loops to include the right chest for likely a German Cross. After some help from the forum folks the only panzer officer with the last name Scheidemann was a Friedrich-Wilhelm Scheidemann. It was at that time that I began querying the various forums looking to find someone that knew something about this officer. I did some research at the National Archives with some help from a forum member and we located the personnel files of this officer but much to our dismay many of the microfilm images were so much out of focus that they could not be read. Alas the search continued with no updates or further clarification of his service record.<o></o>
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That was over six years ago, then in January 2007, I was contacted by one of the moderators of another of the forums who told me that he had been contacted by someone who wished to talk with me regarding FW Scheidemann. He then revealed that the interested party was the officer’s son. I have contacted his son and we have had many the e-mail discussions regarding his father. The saddest part of the contact was that his dad had past away just two weeks before he and I exchanged e-mails. Oh what a lively discussion we may have had. Anyway turns out that the son is researching his father’s military service and was delighted that we met. I had information he did not have and he had information I did not have. He loved the photos I sent of the wrapper and he sent me photos of his dad, award documents, etc.. He also has many, many photos and feldposts of his dad. His dad was at Stalingrad but escaped the encirclement apparently due to being at the panzer repair station getting damaged vehicles up and running. We continue to exchange info and hope to meet sometime in the near future.<o></o>
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I have provided images of the photos and copies of the documents. The original photos are in the possession of the family. It is so nice to see the family so interested in their father’s past.
Best Regards
Kurt<o></o>
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That was over six years ago, then in January 2007, I was contacted by one of the moderators of another of the forums who told me that he had been contacted by someone who wished to talk with me regarding FW Scheidemann. He then revealed that the interested party was the officer’s son. I have contacted his son and we have had many the e-mail discussions regarding his father. The saddest part of the contact was that his dad had past away just two weeks before he and I exchanged e-mails. Oh what a lively discussion we may have had. Anyway turns out that the son is researching his father’s military service and was delighted that we met. I had information he did not have and he had information I did not have. He loved the photos I sent of the wrapper and he sent me photos of his dad, award documents, etc.. He also has many, many photos and feldposts of his dad. His dad was at Stalingrad but escaped the encirclement apparently due to being at the panzer repair station getting damaged vehicles up and running. We continue to exchange info and hope to meet sometime in the near future.<o></o>
<o></o>
I have provided images of the photos and copies of the documents. The original photos are in the possession of the family. It is so nice to see the family so interested in their father’s past.
Best Regards
Kurt<o></o>
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