SS Totenkopf Wehrpass

[torstenbel]

Hi guys, I have put up some pics and questions about a Wehrpass that has just been offered to me in another forum section...maybe someone here knows more about it? Have a look at this thread: http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...96#post1067896

Cheers, Torsten.

[Bobwirtz]

I'm not an expert on Soldbuchs but the last three entries (Pix#3) that are hand-written appear to be done by the same person with the same ink. To me that is a bit suspicious. I have a Wehrpass and SS-Soldbuch for a Luftwaffe radio operator that was drafted into the Waffen-SS, SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 23 "Norge", 11. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division "Nordland". He went into combat and was awarded the EK2, Panzer Assault Badge in Bronze and was KIA. Why would a bunch of Luftwaffe personnel be transferred to the Waffen-SS and put into Concentration Camp service? I would think they would have gone into a combat unit, not a KZ outfit. To me this doesn't make sense. And three of these showing up at the same time (or nearly so) also raises the red flag!

[Ian Hulley]

"but the last three entries (Pix#3) that are hand-written appear to be done by the same person with the same ink. To me that is a bit suspicious."

No,not at all. I handle the employee records here at work (different scenario I know but bear with me) the staff training records are updated monthly,or similar. The company has changed name 3 times over the 10 years I've been here,my pen is the same (had it for donkey's years) my scribble is (regrettably) the same,the mine itself is the same, just changing company name ... see it ? That's what happened to these passes,same person updates the company information using the same writing and same pen/ink more than likely in the same office.

I believe the passes are fine,if somewhat uninteresting,and at the right price (as Gary said perhaps a tenner) would make a suitable addition to an insignia display or similar. Again,asking for advice and then not heading it isn't the way to make friends,or get help.

Cheers,Ian.

[Bobwirtz]

Ian, would the entry for the 3. LW Wachtbattalion and the first entry for the SS be made by the same person? That was more to the point of my initial observation; however, I probably didn't make it clear. I can see your point about the two SS hand-written entries being done by the same person. If you look at the dates, they are very close and it is possible that one person made both entries, but what about the Luftwaffe entry? Wouldn't that have been done by somebody else?

And my other point is: why would these Luftwaffe personnel be sent to a KZ for guard duty? Wouldn't they be sent instead to a front line combat unit? I would think for a KZ that the SS could have called up some police, since the country had ample numbers of them - everywhere! Just some thoughts. I'm certainly not an expert on these but I have learned a little and I thought those lessons were applicable here.

Bob

[Ian Hulley]

Sorry can't reply now Bob ,much too busy looking up all the insults on the other thread.

Actually,Yes a lot of LW personnel were transferred to the KL as guards,usually they were the ground-crew who were unfit for active service either through age or previous injury and whose squadrons were amalgamated or simply wiped out. I can't really comment on specifics 'cos Wehrpasses etc aren't my bag. I was giving an example of how you'd get that type of thing happening.The Police had their hands full rounding up deserters and trying to maintain order in the Reich I would imagine ?

One other thing,I bet the satellite camps would have their administration carried out by the admin staff back at the 'parent' camp.

Cheers,with a large portion of chutzpah (whatever that is) Ian.

[Bobwirtz]

I'd just consider the source on that other thread (Burning Bridges) and let it go... word will get around and he'll tire of it or the members of the forum will just ignore everything he puts up. It's a learning experience and human relations are 'trial and error' and a matter of maturity...

Old Bob!