"Sturm-Pionier-Bataillons 43" Poland Campaign award

[valsente]

Hello, I've got this strange award which I didn't never see before. Do you know anything about it or similar ones? The major who signed the award seems to be Claus but I didn't gete any information about him. Does anyone help me about? Thanks
Val

[valsente]

Another interesting award document signed on the reverse by the same officer. Anyone could recognize him?

[Edward]

Valsente, nice find. Suprising that no one has yet commented on them. It is also seeing documents like these that almost makes me want to start collecting them again.

The first is an EKII signed by Gen.Lt., Rudolf Schmidt an RK recepient.

The second is a nice Batailon Day Order giving the details for the awarding of Krause's EKII award.

The third document is a plain, but nice honorary citation printed by the unit for members who had participated in the Polish Campaign. Both documents have the signature of Obslt. Fritz Claus of St. Pi. Btl. 43. He was an early recepient of the DKiG on 17.11.1941. On transfer to the GD in 1942 the batalion was led by Major Lorenz of the same division.

A brief outline of the unit.

Pionier-Bataillon 43 (mot.)
Sturm-Pionier-Bataillon 43 (mot.) (12 Oct 39)
Pionier-Bataillon Großdeutschland (15 May 42)
15 Oct 1935 formed as Korps-Pionier-Bataillon in WK III
1 Sep 39 XIX Corps (mot.), 4th Army, Army Group North
10 May 40 XIX Corps (mot.), Panzer Group von Kleist, Army Group A
1 Apr 41 LI Corps, 2nd Army, the Balkans
22 Jun 41 VIII Corps, Ninth Army, Army Group Center
10, 30 Jul 41 XXXIX Corps (mot.), 3rd Panzer Group, Army Group Center
5 Oct 41 4th Army, Army Group Center
24 Dec 41, 11 Jan 42 XXXXI Corps (mot.), 3rd Panzer Group, Army Group Center
28 Jan 42 LVI Corps (mot.), 3rd Panzer Army, Army Group Center
9 Feb 42 LVI Corps (mot.), 9th Army, Army Group Center
15, 28 Mar, 15 Apr 42 3rd Panzer Army, Army Group Center

[valsente]

Hi Edward, thanks a lot for your precious information. Like you I'm overall interested in historic views of WWII rather than simply collecting military items, so I wish share with you ,and all who will be interested in, these other docs which complete the Unteroffizier Martin Krause's military career ( the last one probably concluded his life too, having been trapped in Stalingrad with Paulus' 6th Army ):

[Edward]

Valsente, you are welcome. The other award documents are equally nice. The EKI citation particularly so. Have you checked to confirm if he was killed at Stalingrad? If not he may very well have been wounded and evacuated.

[valsente]

Valsente, you are welcome. The other award documents are equally nice. The EKI citation particularly so. Have you checked to confirm if he was killed at Stalingrad? If not he may very well have been wounded and evacuated.

No, I didn't check it. If could do it for me it would be very fine. Thanks
Val

[dennisb]

Nice one, In my opinion a nice rare(?) document, nowadays you don't find alot of documents related to Sturm regiments/sturmdivisions.

[Edward]

Valsente, the only Martin Krause listed for the Stalingrad area. Listed as missing. If you have his birth date you will need to confirm with the date given below. As it could well be for another Martin Krause in the Stalingrad area.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="94%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%"><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Nachname:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">Krause </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Vorname:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">Martin </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Dienstgrad:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Geburtsdatum:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">30.01.1912 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Geburtsort:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Todes-/Vermisstendatum:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">01.11.1942 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=headtabelle width="36%">Todes-/Vermisstenort:</TD><TD class=bodytabelle width="64%">Stadt Stalingrad </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD width="100%"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[CSP]

x

[Edward]

Valsente: Great set of documents. The first two were presented when the unit was attached to Infanterie-regiment (mot) Grossdeutschland.

I have sent you a PM and email with some questions.

Scott, that is correct and earlier still for the 1940 campaign in France Sturm-Pioneer-Bataillon 43 was also attached to IR GD. For that campaign Bataillon 43 was led by Obstlt. Mahler.