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Original WWII German Wehrmacht – Soldbuch Gefr Adolf Edelkraut – Wounded in France July 1944 – 159 Reserve Division – Grenadier Regiment 74 – 19 VGD – Shot in Stomach – US 44th Infantry Division – Germany 1945
Soldbuch issued to Adolf Edelkraut born in Duisburg in 1907. Reserve Grenadier Batl 57 As part of the 159 Reserve Division they were stationed near Bordeaux France. On January 8, 1944, the division was deployed to southern France and deployed to protect the Atlantic coast. After the Allied landings in southern France, the division withdrew to Belfort, suffering heavy losses. Edelkraut was wounded with a Grenade Splinter (Soldbuch Code 31b) and delivered to hospital in Dax, France. Grenadier Regiment 74 – 19 Volks Grenadier Division In Early 1945, after healing he was deployed once again. January 3, 1945, the division was suffering heavy losses. The following weeks were characterized by hard fighting and hesitant resistance. On January 13, the division still had a combat strength of 1,500 to 2,000 men. After the costly retreat, the divisions of the XIII SS Army Corps were in the defense between Saarbrücken and Bitsch. No decisive fighting took place until the end of January 1945. Priority was given to the development of field positions and the reinforcement of the West Wall. On February 6, 1945, the US troops began a local attack against the right wing of the already severely weakened 19th Volksgrenadier Division. During these attacks, the US troops were able to capture the Blies Heights near the town of Saarguemines. The division was able to hold the remaining positions in front of the West Wall, but shrank to the strength of a weak divisional combat group. On March 15, the main attack by the American forces took place on a broad front against the West Wall. The defensive strength of the 19th Volksgrenadier Division declined rapidly, and the division was thrown back to the West Wall. On March 19, the division received orders to disengage from the front line with the remaining remnants and return to the Kaiserslautern area. In the following days, the remnants of the division were again dispersed. On March 24, it still had a strength of 400 men. On March 26, 1945, the division was officially disbanded. All that remained was the division headquarters. The remaining elements were combined into a combat group and assigned to the 2nd Mountain Division. At the beginning of April 1945, the remnants of the combat group were south of Dörzbach on the Jagst River. On April 21, the remnants of the combat group withdrew from the Crailsheim area toward Dinkelsbühl. From here, they continued toward Gingen an der Brenz. Here, their trail ends. More info: As the Allied counter-offensive against Operation Nordwind gained ground they were pushed by the US 44th Infantry Division. They fought alongside in February, then absorbed in March, the 340. Volksgrenadierdivision. The division was disbanded on 26 March 1945 in Waldangelloch, Bavaria, Germany and units were parcelled out to reinforce other units. It seems he was captured by US Forces, was badly wounded with a bullet wound in the stomach. He was quarantined due to the fact he had Typhus, and another bout of Malaria which he already had in 1943. As well as a back injury. He was released in the summer of 1946 and told to return home according to the Doctors Papers. His brother was killed in Normandy in 1944 – Wilhelm Edelkraut.
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Original WWII German Luftwaffe Soldbuch – Kanonier Heinrich Helmecke – Flak-Ersatz-Abteilung 12 – Berlin 1945
Soldbuch issued in August 1943 to Kanonier Heinrich Helmecke. He was serving with – Schwere Flak Ersatz Abtlg 36 In 1944 his unit was stationed in Berlin: Schwere / Flak-Ersatz-Abteilung 12 1941/42 converted to schwere Flak-Ersatz-Abteilung 12. In 6.42 divided into: Flak-Ersatz-Abteilung 12 in Berlin-Lankwitz Flak-Ausbildungs-Abteilung 12 in Berlin-Lankwitz Service: 8.39 – 9.40 in Berlin-Lankwitz under Luftgau-Kommando III 9.40 – 8.41 in Berlin-Lankwitz under Kommandeur der Flakersatzabteilungen beim Luftgau III 8.41 – 5.45 in Berlin-Lankwitz It would seem this Soldbuch was outside for sometime, is it that he was KIA or Lost it? I was unable to find any definitive answer to this.
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Original WWII German Wehrmacht Soldbuch – Obergefr Riechmann – Festung Lorient – Festung Lorient – Bataillon Böck – RARE!
Soldbuch opened in 1942 to Karl Reichmann. Served in the following frontline units: Reserve-Grenadier-Bataillon 467 Reserve-Grenadier-Bataillon 497 Reserve-Grenadier-Bataillon 487 Grenadier Regiment 535 On February 17, 1943, the reorganization of the regiment began within the 15th Army in France. The first units of the new regiment were assembled in the St. Omer area. After only eight weeks, the already formed elements of the regiment were relocated to the Atlantic coast of Brittany, to the area between Carnac and Saint-Nazaire, to complete their formation and be deployed for coastal defense. Festungs Stamm Reserve Kompanie XXV After the Allied landings in Normandy (June 6, 1944), the corps, under Commanding General Wilhelm Fahrmbacher, fought against the VIII US Corps (under General Troy H. Middleton with the 83rd Infantry Division, 4th and 6th Armored Divisions) in the fortresses of St. Malo, Brest, Lorient, and St. Nazaire. During the Battle of Brittany, the main attack on the fortress of Brest was launched on August 25, 1944, by the 29th Infantry Division from the west, the 8th Infantry Division from the northeast, and the 2nd Infantry Division from the east. By mid-September 1944, the 265th and remnants of the 343rd, 2nd Parachute, and 266th Infantry Divisions were under its command. Finally, only the 265th Infantry Division remained subordinate to the XXV Corps Command in the fortress of Lorient. Festung Lorient – Bataillon Böck Lorient, on the Bay of Biscay, had been an important French naval base until June 1940. With the capture of the base in the same month by German troops (see France campaign), the town in succession got more and more of strategic importance for the German Navy. This concerned above all the submarine construction with its bunker buildings on the peninsula Kéroman. U-Baot Bunker Kéroman III in Lorient In August / September 1944, following the Allied invasion of Normandy, the port and town of Lorient were completely enclosed by US and British forces, with some 22,000 German soldiers. Adolf Hitler thereupon declared the city a fortress. During the eight-month siege, which ended with the surrender of the remaining German forces on May 10th, 1945, there were some fighting going on. Battalion Böck (referred to as “Boeck” in the book) participated as a fortress assault reserve on April 30th to May 1st, 1945, in the occupation of the islands of Houat and Haedic as part of a combined sea and land operation. Mentioned in the book: Black Flag: The Surrender of Germany’s U-Boat Forces on Land and at Sea The book by Fahrmbacher: “Lorient”, 2nd edition, Prinz Eugen Verlag Weissenburg: P. 107. “The Chief of Staff of the XXV General Command, Colonel i. Gen. St. Bader, was recalled by radio order to another position in the Reich( ……………….) The Chief’s duties were now assumed by the 1st General Staff Officer, Lieutenant Colonel i. G. von Raven, and he was replaced by a proven young Ostmark native, Captain Böck.” P. 120: (Surrender) “The commanding general went there, accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel i. G. Raven, Captain Böck, and Lieutenant i. R. Buck…” At the beginning of the encirclement of the fortress of Lorient (August 10, 1944), approximately 26,000-28,000 soldiers entered the fortress, but only a very small number of these were trained infantrymen (according to FMS B-731, only approximately 800 soldiers). In addition, there were soldiers or individuals who were only partially eligible for infantry use of auxiliary weapons (approximately 3,000 soldiers for grenade launchers, anti-tank guns, 2cm anti-aircraft guns, etc.). Thus, initially, only approximately 3,800 soldiers were available for planned infantry training and further education who were even eligible for infantry use. Over time, other encircled members of the Wehrmacht, the Todt Organization, etc., were found who were ultimately trained and deployed as infantry personnel: 1,100 soldiers of the Marine Flak Artillery, 2,050 soldiers of the Marine Aircraft Personnel (including Battalion Böck, Marine Artillery Detachments 681, 683, and 688), 1,200 soldiers of the Air Force, 600 soldiers of the Signal Corps, Supply and Order Services, and the Supply Corps, as well as 1,200 members of the shipyard. Thus, a total of almost 7,000 soldiers were gathered (plus the 800 previous infantrymen), who were ultimately trained and deployed in a more or less infantry-like manner. The personnel target calculated for this, a minimal defense (need for infantry), was again, due to the circumstances (priorities, length of the front, etc.), at approximately 10,000 soldiers. Weapons K98K
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Original WWII German Soldbuch Grouping – Uffz Haarhaus – Heeres-Baupionier-Brigade 686 – Son Killed 1945 Kampfgruppe Becker – Sad last letters
Soldbuch Grouping to Family Haarhaus Soldbuch Issued on December 1939 – to Adolf Haarhaus from Wuppertal. Served in the following units on the frontline: Stellungsbau-Pionier-Bataillon 722 The Stellungsbau-Pionier-Bataillon 722 was established on 8 September 1943 at the Truppenübungsplatz Hammerstein, in Wehrkreis II. The battalion was raised as a Heerestruppe with 4 companies. After its formation, the battalion was transferred to the East. There, the battalion was deployed in southern Russia. On 30 May 1944, the battalion was renamed Baupionier-Bataillon 722. In the summer of 1944, the battalion served with Heeresgruppe A in northern Ukraine. In November 1944, the battalion, under Heeresgruppe A, formed the II. Bataillon of Heeres-Baupionier-Brigade 686. Heeres-Baupionier-Brigade 686 The Heeres-Baupionier-Brigade 686 was formed in July 1944. The brigade was established with Heeresgruppe A as a Heerestruppe. The staff of the brigade was formed from Pionier-Regimentsstab z.b.V. 686. In November 1944, the Bau-Pionier-Bataillone 402, 722, and 726 became the I. through III. Bataillon of the brigade. After its formation, the brigade was deployed in Galicia with Heeresgruppe A. Later, at the end of 1944, the brigade was employed in Poland. By the end of the war, the brigade was in action in Silesia. In January of 1945 he was sent to the hospital in Bad Tölz for a code 34 (Accident) likely to his foot given the hospital was specialised in Orthopaedic treatment. In 1945 he was with his replacement unit, Baupionier-Ersatz- und Ausbildungs-Bataillon 4 according to Tessin they were sent into action as, Bau-Pionier-Bataillon 4. Awarded the following medals: Eastern Front Medal in August 1942, Krim Shield 11.1943 under order of Generalfeldmarschall von Manstein. According to the documents along with the Soldbuch, it would seem he kept a diary of where he was in a leather pouch. Along with some letters, and his release papers from a POW camp in Berlin 1945. He was released and given the documents to return home. Although, it would seem his son was Missing in Action after the war ended for some time until declared as Killed in Action. See below for the letters and translations. Son – Panzer Grenadier Adolf Günther Haarhaus – Kampfgruppe Becker Letter to mother dated 8 March 1945 Raesfeld, 8.2.45 My dear Mother! I received your letter today; it was from 26.1.45. I was very happy to finally get mail from you again, since I have already been here in Raesfeld for five weeks. First of all, dear Mother, I want to give you my heartfelt thanks for your letter. I was especially pleased to hear that you and Father are still in good health. As for me, dear Mother, I am doing quite well, apart from a little homesickness, which is understandable. Otherwise, I am fine. Then, dear Mother, you wrote in your letter about whether I had received the Christmas parcel from Pfiff. Unfortunately, dear Mother, I have not received it yet, but maybe it will still arrive. Many thanks to Pfiff for sending it. I am just sorry that I cannot thank him directly. Your letter especially pleased me. Hopefully, I will soon receive another letter from you. Dear Mother, you asked whether I had already been in action. Yes, I already have. We were deployed once near Bochum in heavy combat and had to endure air raids there. I was also on a mission in the Ruhr area, where I experienced heavy bombing. But otherwise, everything is still bearable. The English and Americans are attacking us more and more, but our troops are still holding out bravely. How things will continue, we will see. Dear Mother, have you already received my soldier’s book? If so, please keep it carefully. Should I fall in service, it will be useful for the pension rights. Otherwise, dear Mother, I don’t know much more to write. Please don’t worry too much about me. I am always under God’s protection. Your loving son, Adolf Günter … Letter from Father requesting his sons death certificate. Herewith I request the service office to send me the death certificate of my son, the Panzer-Grenadier Adolf Günter Haarhaus, born on 14 May 1924 in Bremen. According to the notifications I have received, he fell as a result of a head injury. To provide confirmation of his death and of his burial in their records, the authorities are asking me to present the official death certificate. I therefore respectfully request that the Service Office issue and send me the death certificate of my son. As this matter is very urgent for me, I kindly ask for prompt handling and dispatch. I thank you in advance for your efforts and remain respectfully yours, hoping that I will soon be able to receive the requested certificate. —– Letter from Panzer-Grenadier Adolf Günter Haarhaus to his Mr Eck dated 21st Feb 1945 in Raesfeld. **Note this Letter was enclosed in the Feldpost, was later taken from his body and forwarded in 1948! ** See Below Dear Mr. Eck You probably did not expect to hear from me again. As you may have heard from the Diecaster, I was drafted into a new group. I am now with the … [text partly crossed out] Kampfgruppe Becker. How are you doing? Are you still with the staff? How is your work going? How are Schopft and Vollmer doing, and where are they? Is Winter still in the RAD? Well, Mr. Ehl, I will close for today and hope you will write me a few lines in return. I would be very happy about that. Many warm greetings to you, also to all comrades. … Letter from Mayor of Lembeck to Mr Eck Lembeck, 13 February 1946 To Mr. Fritz Eck c/o Fa. Grmeier Wuppertal-Barmen Früher Strasse der Alten Garde 99–103 On 23 March 1945, Panzergrenadier Adolf Günter Haarhaus fell here a hero’s death. On the body were found only a breast pouch containing 20 Reichsmarks, the identity disc, and the enclosed card. I must apologize that the card is only being forwarded to you today. The belongings of…
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Original WWII German Propaganda Newspaper – “Das Neueste” – Panzerarmee – Anti-Partisian Operations – Rare
Issued by the propaganda company of a German Panzer Army front-line propaganda material. Date: Friday, 11 June 1943. Issue No. 135. Main headline: Großunternehmen gegen bolschewistische Banden (Major operation against Bolshevik bands). This refers to German anti-partisan campaigns in occupied Eastern territories. Other headlines: Starke Bandenkräfte im Waldgebiet südlich Pinsk vernichtet (Strong bandit forces in the forest area south of Pinsk destroyed). Highlighting supposed German successes against Soviet partisans, aiming to keep morale up at the front. There is also a blurry photo print of soldiers (caption: “Jeder ist Wächter der Front” – Everyone is a guardian of the front). Continuation of reports about anti-partisan operations. Sections on: “Schlagkräftige Züge” (Effective platoons) – praising German units’ efficiency. “Vom Feind” (From the enemy) – reports on Allied and Soviet movements, presented in a way to minimize German losses and emphasize enemy suffering. “Einzelschicksal – von den Hornen” (Individual fate – from the Horns) – a kind of war story highlighting the courage of German soldiers. Includes names of war correspondents (e.g., Heinz Brandt, Hans Zickel).
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Original WWII Purple Heart – Pfc C R Splane – USMCR – Battle of Enewetak Atoll – Wounded in Action
Here we have a nice Purple Heart with what seems to be a private engraving. After researching it, it would seem he was wounded in the Battle of Enewetak Atoll. Charles R Splane from Nevada Member of the 22nd Marine Regiment. Marshall Islands: Battle of Eniwetok (22nd Marines: Navy Unit Commendation, February 17 to 22, 1944) On February 18, 1944, the 22nd Marines under the command of Colonel John T. Walker, participated in the Battle of Eniwetok, in the northwest area of the Marshall Islands, capturing the islands of Engebi in 6 hours, Eniwetok Atoll on February 21 with the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the 106th Infantry Regiment of the 27th Infantry Division, and Parry on February 22. The 22nd Marine proceeded to take Kwajalein and Roi-Namur from March 7 to April 5. This was the first Marine Corps unit to formally employ fire team tactics in combat. On April 6, the Marine regiment was sent to Guadalcanal for rest, replacements, and further training. I found more information here: https://genealogytrails.com/nev/state/ww2navyhonor.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/22nd_Marine_Regiment https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/wwii/wwii-pacific/gilbert-marshall-islands-campaign/invasion-marshall-islands.html
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Original WWII German Soldbuch – Feldwebel Paul Specht – Panzer Grenadier Regiment 26 – 24 Panzer Division – Heiligenbeil 1945 – Rare
Soldbuch to Feldwebel Paul Specht It seems his Soldbuch was issued as a replacement with: Panzer Ersatz und Ausbildungs Abteilung 10 in September of 1944. Specht spent time in Litzmanstadt (Lodz) in 1944, with: Panzer Grenadier Ersatz Batl 413, and it seems they went into action there January 1945 and were almost wiped out. https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/InfErsBat/InfErsBat413-R.htm Specht was finally mobilised and sent via Marschbataillon Pz.Tr./307 to the 24. Panzer-Division, (Strength 300 Mann 4.1.1945 Wehrkreis X) Specht was assigned to his frontline unit of the 24 Pz Div – Panzer Grenadier Regiment 26 – 1 Schwadron Commanded by: Major Höhne (RK,DKIG) Killed in Action – February 19th, 1945 (Zinten, Heiligenbeil/Eastprussia, Germany) His Profile: https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/6832/H%C3%B6hne-Georg.htm The division was then transported by rail, leaving behind its heavy weapons and armored vehicles, to Marienburg/Elbing (East Prussia). In the Elbing area, it was provisionally re-equipped with weapons and vehicles. The division was then deployed for defense and counterattacks in Southeast Prussia. From February 21 to March 27, 1945, defensive fighting followed in Ermland and the division withdrew to the bridgehead near Heiligenbeil. At the end of March 1945, the division was transported across the Baltic Sea to the Vistula Spit near Pillau. In mid-April, the remnants of the division (approximately 4,000 to 5,000 soldiers) were evacuated to Schleswig-Holstein, where it surrendered. Interesting Equipment: Peaked Visor Cap, Camo Kit Medals/Awards: Shooting Lanyard, 1st Class – 22.7.1941, Sports Badge in Bronze – 31.7.1941, War Merit Cross with Swords 20.4.1943. Fate: I have checked online resources and was not able to find what happened to Specht, although it could be that he made it back to Germany and surrendered, although there is no POW markings on the Soldbuch, a mystery that may later be solved…
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Original WWII German Soldbuch – Oberleutnant Ringel – Italy Milan 1943 – Grenadier Regiment 216 – 102 Inf Div – Iron Cross First Class – Escaped Pillau 1945 – POW Western Front! – Rare
Soldbuch issued in 1941 to Stone Mason Master from the area of Braunau (CZ), Arno Ringel. Frontline Units: Landesschützen Batl 554 The Landesschützen Battalion IV/VIII was established during mobilization on August 26, 1939, in Görlitz, in Wehrkreis VIII. The battalion was formed from the Infantry Replacement Battalion 406. The battalion was apparently deployed to Reichenbach during the winter of 1939/40. On April 1, 1940, the battalion was renamed Landesschützen Battalion 554. The battalion was subordinated to Division z.b.V. 408. From there, the battalion was deployed to the Commander of the VIII Prisoners of War. Feldkommandantur 1013 Field Command 1013 was established on August 22, 1943, in Military District VIII. Subsequently, the staff was subordinate to the General Staff of the 14th Army and then to the Plenipotentiary General of Italy and was located in Milan. Regiments Gruppe 348 – (102 Infanterie Division) Wounded in May 1944 – Bullet wound!! Interestingly the unit is mentioned here: https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Divisionsgruppe/DivGruppe216.htm Field Post Numbers: The units (Staff, Regimental Groups, and 14th Company) were all registered in the field post overview as parts of Divisional Group 216 from January 10, 1944. The 13th Company followed on March 22, 1944. The 13th and 14th Companies were then assigned to Regimental Group 348 from May 22, 1944. The regimental groups and the staff were renamed parts of Grenadier Regiment 216 between November 23 and 29, 1944. Grenadier Regiment 216 ( 216 Infanterie Division) – Seems this was his last unit. From August onward, the division continued its retreat across the Lessna, the Bug, and the Narew Rivers to the East Prussian defensive position until January 1945. At the end of 1944, Division Group 216 was renamed Grenadier Regiment 216. After the costly battle for East Prussia, the remnants of the division withdrew via Sensburg and Heilsberg to the Königsberg area. The division was finally smashed in the Rosenberg-Balga-Heiligenbeil pocket. Remnants managed to escape across the Frisches Haff to Pillau. These remnants continued fighting in Western Pomerania as Division Group 102, surrendering to the Americans at Trave on May 5, 1945. Awards: War Merit Cross with Swords, Second Class, Jan, 1944, April 1944 – Iron Cross Second Class and Wounds Badge in Black, February 1945 – Iron Cross First Class – 102 Infanterie Division. He seemed to have defaced the Nazi Symbol on the entry with a smoke. Equipment: P38 Pistol, Compass, Lamp Diverse Paperwork Included: Drivers Licence, Permit to Drive in Milan Italy with his own car. Entry for bottle of Sparking wine, and Führer Present in Hospital June 1944. Border Crossing Permit to Denmark in 1943 on his way to Copenhagen in May of 1943! A POW Paper Issued by the Military Government of France. Condition: Missing Pages 5 – 7 – Addresses , not really critical on this one as not much information was lost, its possible he used it to prove his residence for Repatriation in June 1945 (See below) Final Comments It seems that Ringel was an experienced and battle-hardened Officer, he was awarded the Iron Cross First Class in February of 1945, and he managed to escape the hell in Eastern Prussia (likely only with some sort of boat!) Making it back to the Western Front he was by June of 1945 he was in a French POW Camp, mentioned in pencil is that he was repatriated by the American XXII Corps to return to the former occupied region of the Czech Republic, where he was from. Overall this is a desirable Soldbuch of a frontline Officer who survived the Western and Eastern Fronts.
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Original WWII German Luftwaffe Soldbuch – Obergefreiter Heinrich Becker – Luftgau-Nachrichten-Regiment Moskau
Issued to Becker in 1942. He served as a radioman for sometime in the following units: Luftgau-Nachrichten-Regiment Moskau The Moscow Air District Signal Regiment was established in Minsk in November 1941 with two detachments for the Moscow Field Air District: Regiment Staff from Staff / 15th Air District Signal Regiment Staff I. Detachment as a new formation 1st (Signal) Company as a new formation 2nd (Signal) Company as a new formation 3rd (Signal) Company as a new formation 4th (Signal) Company as a new formation Staff II. Detachment from Staff V. / 2nd Air District Signal Regiment 8th (Heavy Air Signal) Company from 13th / 2nd Air District Signal Regiment 9th (Heavy Air Signal) Company from 15th / 2nd Air District Signal Regiment 10th (Heavy Air Signal) Company from 15th / 2nd Air District Signal Regiment 11th (Heavy Air Signal) Company from 32nd / Air District Signal Regiment 2 12th (Heavy Air Signal) Company as a New Formation The regiment was deployed with its headquarters and 1st Battalion in Minsk and 2nd Battalion in Pinsk. In April 1942, the regiment transferred the 9th Heavy Air Signal Company to the 2nd Air District Signal Regiment as the new 15th Company. The company was subsequently reorganized. In October 1942, the 4th Company was transferred to the 82nd Air District Signal Regiment as the 1st Company and was reorganized from the 4th / Air District Signal Regiment Kharkov in April 1943. In June 1943, the regiment was renamed the 27th Air District Signal Regiment. The 4th Company of the regiment was reorganized as the 4th / Air District Signal Regiment 25 in April 1944 and reorganized in Kolodishchi a month later. The regiment was disbanded on September 2, 1944. The 1st Company became Air Intelligence Operations Company 104, while the 10th – 12th Heavy Air Signaling Companies remained as independent companies. They were deployed in the Radom/Warsaw area in 1945, where they suffered heavy losses. Luftgau-Nachrichten-Regiment 2 The 2nd Air District Communications Regiment was formed on 30 September 1939 for the newly formed Air District 2. The regiment initially consisted of: 1st (Telephone) Company 2nd (Staff Communications) Company 3rd (Telephone and Telex Operations) Company 5th (Air Reporting) Company 17th (Replacement) Company Over the next two years the regiment was reinforced to include: Regimental Staff I (Operations) Department II (Air Reporting) Department III (Replacement) Department V (Air Reporting) Department with a total of 23 companies. The II (Air Reporting) Department, set up at the beginning of May 1940 with 8th – 10th Companies, relocated to the Black Forest after it was fully formed and was deployed in the 7th Army sector on the Upper Rhine. From June 15, 1940, the division participated in the 7th Army’s advance into Alsace. After the armistice, the division moved via Trier and Luxembourg to Etampes in France. From there, the division marched to the Atlantic coast and took up positions from the Spanish border to the mouth of the Loire. It would seem he was drafted into a replacement driving unit and was captured, and returned to his sector in Germany. July 1942 – Issued a K98 Rifle and Bayonet. Rare Merkblatt for Plants fit for Consumption !! Awarded: Trades Badge for Drivers – July 1944. Interesting ID for – French Occupied Zone in Germany Post War with period photo.
