VERY interesting SS 1943 Diary

[Patrick W]

This came in a vets group from the Uk that also included the 2 cut SS cuffs that I listed on the estand.
It is a 1943 SS diary named to SS pionier Friedrich Wornlein but somehow ended up with Private R J Fisher of the Royal Artillery who was in North Africa at Medjes el Bab on 1st January 1943 and used it to record his observations of aircraft and barrages from that day until 10th February 1943- its a very interesting document.
Now my question is how would this soldier come to be in possession of this diary by this time when there were no regular SS troops in North Africa, nor am I aware of any battle in late 1942 in which he could have aquired this item?

All entries are posted in the following pics

[Patrick W]

,,

attachment button isnt working currently - will post as soon as poss

[Patrick W]

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[Patrick W]

;;;

[Patrick W]

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[Patrick W]

Love the references to 'Spits' and 'Hurries' and also the very interesting inscription by the original owner about the Pioniers plight

[TP Alexander]

I lean towards the answer of a commando raid.

[petopoint]

"I heard tanks moving last night"
"Jerry must've heard them too"

That's priceless, I get a vicarious thrill reading an actual soldiers
musings, whether it's mundane or exciting.
Thanks for sharing,

Peto at point

[Patrick W]

Hi Guys- for sure a mystery- maybe a commando raid but where? Pikowitz where the SS soldier was based was a Pioneer training school outside of Prague in Czechoslovakia, that being said he was probably a specialist himself, training pioneer tactics, so maybe a raid somewhere done by them- perhaps in Africa?? I can't see our Royal Artillery gunner as being involved in any commando activity judging by his entries?? Perhaps Waffen SS specialists had a little more involvement in the North African campaign than has been documented to date?

ps- the original owner is not listed on the German war graves database