Interesting Document Group - IAB Silver, BWB, and more

[Wiking44]

Hello.

For your review and comment.

These documents belong to Arno Paul Roth. A member of 7. IR 226 of the 79th Division who was KIA in the Kuban Bridgehead.

First off we have a pair of typical documents - Silver IAB and BWB.

[Wiking44]

2

[Wiking44]

3

[Wiking44]

Unfortunately Gefreiter Roth was KIA on 27 May 43. He was born in 1909 and was only 33 at the time of his death. However, for an infantry unit he was probably 'the old man'.

Next is the document certifying his service time.

[Wiking44]

Here's where it gets interesting.

Next up is a hand-written note by SOMEONE, as a condolence letter to the widow. Help with what the name is or what is under his signature would be helpful.

[Wiking44]

So that hand-written letter was forwarded through channels to an office where it was transcribed and typed so it is fully readable. The document on the left is the original...the one on the right is the onion-paper copy to be retained by the office. Both are signed and stamped.

[Wiking44]

Here's the note from the Company Commander.

[Wiking44]

But that's not all....

Apparently the widow wrote the squad leader - one each Uffz R. Knoll - who took the time to respond to her about 7 weeks after her husband fell.

From what I can read of his hand-writing he gave her the standard answer of how much he was beloved in the company and that he was killed on a hilltop with a bullet through the head and didn't suffer.

I've never seen a condolence letter from an NCO before...but then I haven't been collecting this stuff all that long.

[Wiking44]

Just when you think you're done....

Here's a condolence letter from the Kreisleiter of Oelsnitz where he was from - a Walter Spindler. Complete with NDSAP letterhead and raised stamp.

Not sure if this guy was important but quite a few people took time to send condolences!

[Wiking44]

Last

[Wiking44]

Finally, I would like to point out that his Silver IAB document was signed 9 days after his death. Obviously the paperwork had gotten to Regimental HQ but hadn't been processed yet.

Gefreiter Roth never got to wear his IAB.

[Tom B]

Very interesting group indeed ! Tom

[Archi]

Hello !

Nice group and very interesting additional documents and story.
Thanks for showing this !

Regarding the place and the actions he died :
On the 26.5.43, the Red Army started an heavy attack against the positions of 79. Inf.Div.,
lasting for over a week. At that time, Gren.Rgt. 226 was led by Oberst Aulock.
The area of Borissowka (E of Kiewskoje) and the important height 195 were held by I./226 under
command of Hptm. Baumgartner. On the 27.5. this group came under heavy artillery fire, supported
by air attacks and tanks. At the end of that day, I./226 was down to 3 Officcers and 80 men.

A few km further South, the battle was raging for the important height 121,4 (SE of Novyj/Novyy)
and the village Goroschtschnyj (see map). On the 27.5. a battlegroup was formed from I./228
and II./226 under the comand of Maj. Liebermann. This had the task to take/retake those
important points. Before noon, the battlegroup has already losses of 60% due artillery fire.

Its at least likely, that it was at one of those 2 places, where he fell.

Best regards,

Archi

[marcinkappa]

What a story !!
This hobby is simply all about what you did

[Wiking44]

Hello !

Nice group and very interesting additional documents and story.
Thanks for showing this !

Regarding the place and the actions he died :
On the 26.5.43, the Red Army started an heavy attack against the positions of 79. Inf.Div.,
lasting for over a week. At that time, Gren.Rgt. 226 was led by Oberst Aulock.
The area of Borissowka (E of Kiewskoje) and the important height 195 were held by I./226 under
command of Hptm. Baumgartner. On the 27.5. this group came under heavy artillery fire, supported
by air attacks and tanks. At the end of that day, I./226 was down to 3 Officcers and 80 men.

A few km further South, the battle was raging for the important height 121,4 (SE of Novyj/Novyy)
and the village Goroschtschnyj (see map). On the 27.5. a battlegroup was formed from I./228
and II./226 under the comand of Maj. Liebermann. This had the task to take/retake those
important points. Before noon, the battlegroup has already losses of 60% due artillery fire.

Its at least likely, that it was at one of those 2 places, where he fell.

Best regards,

Archi

Wow Archi! Thank you for that important addition!