My Grandpa in WW2

[bratwurstdimsum]

The M36 is a designation for the uniforms that the heer ended up adopting after the Reichswehr period. This is the uniform most commonly seen in picture of the heer in Poland, for example. An upsidedown board, well I never understood why they did it but they are referring to the shoulderboards, if you look carefully, it has been turned over.

Dave, it appears your grandfather was in the RAD as well. 2 places a young german boy could go if he were not fit for duty, too young (or in your father's case) conscription was not in force yet, was the hitler youth or the RAD, a road and infrastructure organisation. I believe the armbands were standard part of the uniform when they dressed up, although I'm pretty sure this didn't make them more "nazi" than your usual bloke.


p.s. is that a marksmanship lanyard I spy...your granddad was quite the acheiver!!!

[Ernst1917]

Thanks, for your info. But Ernst is my grandpa not Daves. Some info I obtained from my uncle: At the end of the war he was in British captivity in Schleswig Holstein.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o></o>

Achiever!? Depends I guess. The main reason I’m getting interested is because my mom as well as my aunts and uncle (he had 4 kids) is that they only speak about his down sides. After the war he became an alcoholic and continuously started beating the kids and my grandmother. It is sort of for them that I want to point out that maybe he had to endure things he never managed to cope with. It seems like it nobody in Germany spoke of what happened in WW2. It looks like, thanks to your help, that I already know more what he had to live through.<o></o>

By the way I submitted a request at the Bundesarchiv in Kornelimuenster for his official records. They claimed, if they have something, I will receive the info within 4 to 6 weeks. I keep the forum informed.

[Robin Lumsden]

Ernst.

As your grandfather lived through the Battle of Demjansk, and the eastern front in general, he must have had some terrible memories.

A lot of very 'hard' and experienced soldiers turned to drink in their later years.

There's no shame in it. It's the only way some could cope with what they had locked in their heads.

[Ernst1917]

personal file received

The national archive managed to find my grandfathers record. I received a photocopy last week. The file contains two pages which gives insight to his military record. The other pages are birth certificates, proof of German ancestry (Arian) as well as some other more personal stuff. I was charged 22 Euros for the inquiry.

The two relevant pages contain four tables of chronological information. The first table contains information about his military career reflecting rank, promotions, and units he served with. The second table contains information about the campaigns he participated in. Including start date and end date. The third table contains information about combat injuries. The fourth table contains information about the awards and medals awarded. He joined Infanterie Regiment 96 which to my understanding was part of Infanterie Division 32. I assume that he joined Bataillon 3 (Schneidemühl).

[Ernst1917]

Here the tables. Please help me with the abreviations

19.11.1938 Schtz. I.R.96 eingetreten(joined)<O</O
25.11.1938 vereidigt(put under oath)<O</O
1.10.1939 Gefr. befoerdert(promoted)
1.4.1940 Uffz. befoerdert<O</O
1.11.1941 Fw. befoerdert
1.3.1942 Ofw. befoerdert
14.4.1943 Marschkp. Ld. Schtz. versetzt<O</O
28.4.1943 E. Btl.2 Nachsch. versetzt
20.6.1943 Kp.160 Nachschubkp. versetzt
28.7.1943 Feldherrnh. Kp. versetzt
1.8.1943 Hptfw. ernannt
27.9.1943 O.B. ernannt
6.11.1943 St. Kp. Kraftf. E. Kp.2 versetzt
19.10.1943 Fhj. ernannt
21.11.1943 Pz.Gren.Ers.B.5 versetzt
8.12.1943 F.L.2 kommandiert
1.3.1944 Obfhr. befoerdert gem.OKH/PA Ag.1/6.Abt ?? (b) Nr.430/44 v.16.2.44
27.3.1944 O.L.3 kommandiert
1.5.1944 Lt. befoerdert RDA 1.4.44(221) Fried. Tr.T.:Pz.Gren.Rgt.25 Dfg.3811 v.1.7.44

[Ernst1917]

Polen: 30.8.39 - 19.9.39
Westfeldzug:10.5.40 - 28.7.40<O</O
Russland: 22.6.41 - 6.6.42

28.10.1939 E.K. II
28.10.1939 Inf.St.Abz.<O</O
28.10.1941 E.K. I
24.12.1941 Verw. Abz. (Schwarz)
30.9.1942 Ostmed.
31.12.1943 Demjanskschild

1.Verwundung(combat injuries): 19.10.1941 Schulterschuß(shot in the shoulder)

[Ian Jewison]

Hope these are ok.......

19.11.1938 Schützen. Infanterie Regiement 96 eingetreten(joined)<O</O
25.11.1938 vereidigt(put under oath)<O</O
1.10.1939 Gefreiter . befoerdert(promoted)
1.4.1940 Unteroffizer. befoerdert<O</O
1.11.1941 Feldwebel. befoerdert
1.3.1942 Oberfeldwebel. befoerdert
14.4.1943 Marschkompanie Landesschützen versetzt<O</O
28.4.1943 Ersatz Bataillon.2 Nachschub. versetzt
20.6.1943 Kompanie.160 Nachschubkompanie versetzt
28.7.1943 Feldherrnhalle Kompanie versetzt
1.8.1943 Hauptfeldwebel ernannt
27.9.1943 Offizier Bewerber ernannt
6.11.1943 Stab Kompanie Kraftfahr Ersatz Kompanie 2 versetzt
19.10.1943 Fahnenjunker ernannt
21.11.1943 Panz er Grenadier Ersatz Bataillon 5 versetzt
8.12.1943 Fahnenjunker Lehrgang.2 kommandiert
1.3.1944 Oberfährich befoerdert gem.OKH/PA Ag.1/6.Abt ?? (b) Nr.430/44 v.16.2.44 (Order promoting him to Senior Officer Cadet)
27.3.1944 Oberfähnrich Lehrgang 3 kommandiert
1.5.1944 Leutnant. befoerdert RDA 1.4.44(221) Fried. Tr.T.:Pz.Gren.Rgt.25 Dfg.3811 v.1.7.44 (Peacetime unit Panzer Grenadier Regiment 25)

[Wayne f]

Hello Ernst,
I was researching information on Demjansk shield on threads.
Read the facinating information and story about your grandfather. A very handsome man and pretty wife. He was a well decorated combat soldier. Thanks for sharing pictures and story...........!!!!!
Wayne

[TWP]

Ernst, thanks for sharing. Your grandfather went through a lot of hardships and terrible memories I am sure. I hope that your family will have more understanding for the things he did now.
It is really admirable what you are doing. Your grandpa would have been proud of you.

[RGD51]

Its the rather early tunic style with dark green collar.

Robert

Ps, sorry that was answered earlier.