GIs told not to take Soldbuchs

[Stormfighter]

I just acquired this German railway worker's ID within a large veteran's grouping. The ID belonged to Reichsbahnsekretär Adolf Sendzik. The ID was last updated on 6 April 1945. At some point, Sendzik was drafted into the Army and was killed in action. The American, who I assume killed Sendzik, sent Sendzik's ID home as a souvenir and wrote an interesting message on it. It reads:

I left the Soldbuch upon his person as military regulations require. Don't know what kind of pass or identification this is - apparently it is his civilian occupation identification. At the time of his death, he was a hapless Jerry infantryman. Nazis are hard up for men.

I find this message rather interesting in that is shows that American soldiers were instructed not to take Soldbuchs from the dead; however, we know that many Americans didn't follow this regulation.

According to the German War Graves website, Sendzik was simply reported as missing in action.

Barry

[Stormfighter]

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[12thPanzer]

hmmm. That is interesting indeed. Also interesting is the note written by the GI

[Gerdan]

The original ID card (front) is not signed by an official and has no stamp from the Osterode station - but the update on the back has both - from the Strausberg railway station.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strausberg


Gerdan

[SiPo]

Interesting info Barry, thanks for sharing.

[jacquesf]

Very interesting thread. jacques

[Simon O.]

I wonder if he wasn't still a railway worker or perhaps a member of the volkssturm given the late date of the ID's extension.

[hucks216]

Interesting that regulations stated to leave the soldbuch alone considering the intelligence value of the item, unless there was a seperate organisation that was detailed to collect them from the bodies.

[crowback]

Soldbuch

G.I. 's were not to take soldbuchs as trophys. The one sent home is a perfect example. Does not serve any intelligence value when sent home !