3. Pz.Gren.Div. / 47. Pz.Kps.

[matthias_AC]

Guys,

I bought these documents at a little fair in the Netherlands this morning at reasonable prices.


1) Little set of documents for a member of Artillerie-Regiment 3, later Panzergrenadier-Regiment 29 (3. Panzergrenadier-Division).

- BWB and EK2 for the fightings in Italy (EK2 signed by Fritz-Hubert Gräser)
- SWB for fighting in the Ardennes (according to A. Beevor the 3. Panzergrenadier was heavily involved in the battle at Elsenborn Ridge, supporting the 277. Volksgrenadier at the time Wolf was wounded again)

Obviously Wolf was transferred from Artillerie to Infanterie. I could imagine the Artillerie was thinned out for the Ardennes Offensive to reinforce the Grenadier-Regimenter to make sure they were strong enough to push forward as fast as possible.

The documents are a bit beaten, but I like that. Maybe Wolf carried them a lot, stored in his Wehrpass or Soldbuch.


2) Single citation for the GAB, awarded to a member of Panzer-Korps-Nachrichten-Abteilung 477 (47. Panzerkorps).


Now, I´ve got a few questions:

1) I am not an expert when it comes to GAB documents, but shouldn´t it be signed by an officer comparable to a Divisionskommandeur?

2) Does anybody have reliable information about the area of operation of the 47. Panzerkorps in November 1944? I did a quick only research and some sources mention Lorraine, other the Lower Rhine area (Cologne/Düsseldorf)...

3) Does anybody have information about where the 3. Panzergrenadier was deployed around late february/early march 1944? I know it was Italy and probably not too far from Rome, but maybe some one knows more... especially as there are plenty of Italian experts here!


Best!


Matthias

[Brian R]

Nice group, Matthias.

You will typically see Assault Badges recommended on Regiment level. Sometimes they were awarded on battalion level and sometimes on division level.

3. Panzergrenadier-Division was employed in fighting the Anzio/Nettuno Bridgehead at the time.

B

[matthias_AC]

Nice group, Matthias.

You will typically see Assault Badges recommended on Regiment level. Sometimes they were awarded on battalion level and sometimes on division level.

3. Panzergrenadier-Division was employed in fighting the Anzio/Nettuno Bridgehead at the time.

B

Great information, thanks Brian. Wolf earned his EK2 in the same area as my grandfather, interesting connection!

[Brian R]

Yep, the artillery played a significant role in trying to push the Allies back in the sea. Whenever you see documents with these dates for these “Italy” units you can typically assume they are Anzio or Cassino related. Cassino is the more famous engagement but I always find Anzio to be more interesting. After all, the Anzio landings were a direct result of the heavy fighting at Cassino and the surrounding area. But the Anzio operation was essentially a failure for the Allies.

What unit was your grandfather in? Do you have his awards and/or documents?

[Brian R]

Here is my Anzio related EK2 award document to an artilleryman. Hermann Goering Panzer Division.

[matthias_AC]

Yep, the artillery played a significant role in trying to push the Allies back in the sea. Whenever you see documents with these dates for these “Italy” units you can typically assume they are Anzio or Cassino related. Cassino is the more famous engagement but I always find Anzio to be more interesting. After all, the Anzio landings were a direct result of the heavy fighting at Cassino and the surrounding area. But the Anzio operation was essentially a failure for the Allies.

What unit was your grandfather in? Do you have his awards and/or documents?

That is my information as well. Anzio/Nettuno and Cassino were connected battles, if I remember correctly the landings were supposed to draw German attention (and troops) away from the important passage at Cassino.

My grandfather was a Flak soldier. He fought in North Africa before his unit retreated to Italy.
I have quite a mixture of items from his time in the Luftwaffe, some equipment, documents, awards and hundreds of photos. The most important piece to me is his Wehrpass which mentions Flak-Regiment 105 as his last unit (June 22nd 1943 - May 2nd 1945).
He was awarded the EK2 June 25th 1944, and I remember him telling me he got it for fighting the Allied bridgeheads at Anzio/Nettuno.
I have his EK2 as well along with his "Afrika" cufftitle, but unfortunately the citation got lost.


Best,


Matthias

[matthias_AC]

Here is my Anzio related EK2 award document to an artilleryman. Hermann Goering Panzer Division.

Nice citation, Panzer-Artillerie is one of my favourite units!

[mufasa]

Guys,

I bought these documents at a little fair in the Netherlands this morning at reasonable prices.


1) Little set of documents for a member of Artillerie-Regiment 3, later Panzergrenadier-Regiment 29 (3. Panzergrenadier-Division).

- BWB and EK2 for the fightings in Italy (EK2 signed by Fritz-Hubert Gräser)
- SWB for fighting in the Ardennes (according to A. Beevor the 3. Panzergrenadier was heavily involved in the battle at Elsenborn Ridge, supporting the 277. Volksgrenadier at the time Wolf was wounded again)

Obviously Wolf was transferred from Artillerie to Infanterie. I could imagine the Artillerie was thinned out for the Ardennes Offensive to reinforce the Grenadier-Regimenter to make sure they were strong enough to push forward as fast as possible.

The documents are a bit beaten, but I like that. Maybe Wolf carried them a lot, stored in his Wehrpass or Soldbuch.


2) Single citation for the GAB, awarded to a member of Panzer-Korps-Nachrichten-Abteilung 477 (47. Panzerkorps).


Now, I´ve got a few questions:

1) I am not an expert when it comes to GAB documents, but shouldn´t it be signed by an officer comparable to a Divisionskommandeur?

2) Does anybody have reliable information about the area of operation of the 47. Panzerkorps in November 1944? I did a quick only research and some sources mention Lorraine, other the Lower Rhine area (Cologne/Düsseldorf)...

3) Does anybody have information about where the 3. Panzergrenadier was deployed around late february/early march 1944? I know it was Italy and probably not too far from Rome, but maybe some one knows more... especially as there are plenty of Italian experts here!


Best!


Matthias

very nice Group! wounded on November 9th, 1943 around the river Volturno!
ciao Oriano

[matthias_AC]

very nice Group! wounded on November 9th, 1943 around the river Volturno!
ciao Oriano

Oriano, Nov 9th is the date of issue, he was wounded about two weeks earlier on Oct 26th. Does that make a difference in the location?

[mufasa]

Oriano, Nov 9th is the date of issue, he was wounded about two weeks earlier on Oct 26th. Does that make a difference in the location?

ciao Matthias!


excuse the hurry and .... always Volturno ...

https://history.army.mil/books/wwii/...turno-rear.htm

an American site to give a idea of the fornt line at the end of october 1943

[Brian R]

That is my information as well. Anzio/Nettuno and Cassino were connected battles, if I remember correctly the landings were supposed to draw German attention (and troops) away from the important passage at Cassino.

My grandfather was a Flak soldier. He fought in North Africa before his unit retreated to Italy.
I have quite a mixture of items from his time in the Luftwaffe, some equipment, documents, awards and hundreds of photos. The most important piece to me is his Wehrpass which mentions Flak-Regiment 105 as his last unit (June 22nd 1943 - May 2nd 1945).
He was awarded the EK2 June 25th 1944, and I remember him telling me he got it for fighting the Allied bridgeheads at Anzio/Nettuno.
I have his EK2 as well along with his "Afrika" cufftitle, but unfortunately the citation got lost.


Best,


Matthias

Sounds like a nice set of awards and documents. By far, my favorite Militaria items are the ones related to my family. Indeed, his unit was at Anzio. http://www.ww2.dk/ground/flak/flargt105.html

[matthias_AC]

Sounds like a nice set of awards and documents. By far, my favorite Militaria items are the ones related to my family. Indeed, his unit was at Anzio. http://www.ww2.dk/ground/flak/flargt105.html

Here is a picture of what my grandfather left me... he handed me the cufftitle "Afrika" himself about two years before he passed away in 2004, the rest I found in his house after his death.
Like I said, there is a couple of hundred photos as well, but they are not in the picture.
The Wehrpass is stuffed with information and holds a few documents which make my grandfather´s life as a soldier very vivid. For example, it contains a permit written by a (military) doctor saying he does not have to wear his steelhelmet due to a concussion.

Best,


Matthias

[Archi]

Hello Matthias !

Great set of documents, medals and other items you have from your grandfather. Especially with the Wehrpass present,
you are able to follow his way very closely ! Thanks for showing !

The group of documents you started the thread is also very nice !
There seems to be only one unanswered question regarding the locations of XXXXVII. Pz.Korps in Oct./Nov. 1944 :
- until mid October, the Korps was fighting in Lorraine, roughly between Luneville and St. Die
- it was then sent North to HGr. B, first to the area of Geldern (likely acting as reserve force) and at sometime
in mid November temporarily committed in the Roermond area.
(This should only give a rough idea, and can surely done better with more time).

Best regards,

Archi

[matthias_AC]

Hello Matthias !

Great set of documents, medals and other items you have from your grandfather. Especially with the Wehrpass present,
you are able to follow his way very closely ! Thanks for showing !

The group of documents you started the thread is also very nice !
There seems to be only one unanswered question regarding the locations of XXXXVII. Pz.Korps in Oct./Nov. 1944 :
- until mid October, the Korps was fighting in Lorraine, roughly between Luneville and St. Die
- it was then sent North to HGr. B, first to the area of Geldern (likely acting as reserve force) and at sometime
in mid November temporarily committed in the Roermond area.
(This should only give a rough idea, and can surely done better with more time).

Best regards,

Archi

As always, thank you very much for your help!

[Brian R]

Here is a picture of what my grandfather left me... he handed me the cufftitle "Afrika" himself about two years before he passed away in 2004, the rest I found in his house after his death.
Like I said, there is a couple of hundred photos as well, but they are not in the picture.
The Wehrpass is stuffed with information and holds a few documents which make my grandfather´s life as a soldier very vivid. For example, it contains a permit written by a (military) doctor saying he does not have to wear his steelhelmet due to a concussion.

Best,


Matthias

Tremendous group, Matthias. Priceless when from your own family and a wonderful research project!!