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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 Wehrpass Grouping – Gefreiter Erwin Zahn – Grenadier Regiment 348 – 216 Infanterie Division – Iron Cross – Letters Fully Translated – Isle of Man Link! Rare
Sad grouping to Family Zahn. Wehrpass – Issued to Erwin Zahn – Born 1924 – Holder of HJ Sport Badge – did his RAD service in Graz – called up in December 1942 – joined his frontline unit in September 1943. Grenadier Regiment 348 – 216 Infanterie Division In July 1943, the 216th Infantry Division participated in the Battle of Kursk, where it sustained heavy casualties while fighting on the northern shoulder of the Kursk salient as part of Generalfeldmarschall Model’s Ninth Army. The division was disbanded on 17 November 1943 after suffering heavy casualties during the retreat to the Dnieper River Defensive Line. Zahns death card and Iron Cross Second Class Certificate, one spare photo in the back pouch as well as his death certificate. He will killed on the 12.11.1943 – the letter to his mother Anna reads: Lieutenant Leber,Field Post No. 21360 O.U., 14 April 1944 Mrs. Anna Zahn,Kowald No. 4,Voitsberg / Stmk. Dear Mrs. Zahn, Only today am I able to reply to your letter of 17.12.43. Due to operations, relocations, and my longer absence from the company, it was not possible for me to respond earlier. I spoke about your son with Sergeant Droste, the leader of the bicycle platoon to which your son belonged as a light machine gunner. On 12.11.43, the bicycle platoon was in reserve and carrying out entrenching work. Suddenly, enemy artillery fire began. A shell struck the pit in which your son and another comrade were working. Your son was fatally struck by multiple shell fragments. Sergeant Droste was in the immediate vicinity and ran to him at once, but he could provide no further help. A few hours later, after the enemy artillery fire subsided, your son was buried with Sergeant Droste and his comrades in a field grave on a hill in a small woodland west of Borschtschownka, a heavily destroyed small village. It was not possible to move your son further in order to bury him in a “heroes’ cemetery,” as the combat situation no longer allowed it. Since there was also no camera available, unfortunately no photographs of the grave could be taken. Soon after, this section of the front was abandoned. Your son was very popular with his immediate superiors and with all his comrades for his open, sincere nature and his always comradely conduct. It is with heavy hearts that we had to part from him! With best regards,Your [signature: Leber] The letter from the Doctor dated in 1945 relates to Annas Brother who was also Killed in Action. Dr. Bantz, Staff Doctor Deputy Chief Doctor Field Post Number: 36 77 0 O.U., 29 January 1945 Dear Mrs. Zahn, It is my sad duty to inform you that your dear brother, Oberjäger Peter Zeltmeister, died on 28.1.1945 after being admitted to our field hospital. Your brother had sustained a severe head wound with brain involvement. Death occurred during transport to the hospital. For more detailed information, I would kindly ask you to contact the last field unit of your brother. Please accept my sincere condolences on this grievous loss. Your dear brother made the ultimate sacrifice for the Fatherland and homeland in heavy fighting. His comrades will remember him as a good soldier, and I ask you also to preserve a worthy memory of him. The deceased will be laid to rest on 30.1.1945, in a dignified ceremony, alongside his comrades in a single grave at the soldiers’ cemetery in Csatkornya (Hungary). All personal belongings found with the deceased will be forwarded to you. Heil Hitler! Yours, [signature] Dr. Bantz Staff Doctor and Deputy Chief Doctor Interestingly two POW Letters are included and are from Annas Sister Hedwig, who for some reason was in an all female POW on the Isle of Man – the only such camp for females in WWII! Port Erin Women’s Detention Camp was a World War II internment camp on the Isle of Man at Port Erin. It was Europe’s only all-female internment camp. Notable internees included Dora Diamant, the lover of Franz Kafka in the last year of his life, and Fay Taylour, champion motorcycle, speedway and racing car driver. See more on the camp here: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-32810383 Translations: 26.4.1943 My dear sister Anna, Many thanks for your letter of 28.1.43, which unfortunately arrived so late that I could not reply sooner. Dear Anna, I believe this heavy burden is even harder for you and your family than it already is. Instead of resigning yourself to the inevitable and trying to make the best of it, you lament and cry and thereby suffer much more. But apparently that is the way of millions of mothers. They have to bear much heavier sorrows. But Anna, I am sorry, yet I do not blame you. On the one hand, you have a cheerful spirit that often helps you to bear much adversity. For you and others like you, only sorrow and pain come again and again. But you, with heart and soul, must stand by the Fatherland in this difficult time, whether or not you believe in it. Believe me, Anna, I have seen much among friends, and it is only about one Fatherland — one Germany — defending our cause. If sacrifices are demanded, then one day everything will be good again. With love for Hilda, my Fatherland. Your sister, H Another Letter translated: “AVEN HOLME.” G.H. Post Erin I.O.M. 26.4.1943 My dear sister Anna, Many thanks for your letter of 28.1.43, which unfortunately arrived so late. Dear Anna, I believe you and your loved ones are making life even harder for yourselves than it already is. Instead of accepting the inevitable and trying to make the best of it, you lament and weep, and in doing so you suffer much more. Yet it seems that this is the way of millions of mothers, who must bear even heavier sorrows. Anna, I am sorry, but I do not reproach you. On the one hand, you always keep a cheerful…
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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 German Propaganda Leaflet – Antisemitic – Rare (Sold)
A really rare leaflet dropped by German Propaganda Units on Soviet Trenches to try and get them to surrender. Translation This pass is valid for an unlimited number of commanders and soldiers of the Red Army who cross over to the side of the German troops. The bearer of this, not wishing senseless bloodshed for the interests of Jews and commissars, leaves the defeated Red Army and crosses over to the side of the German Armed Forces. German officers and soldiers will receive the one crossing over well, feed him and arrange work for him. Commanders and fighters of the Red Army! Your situation is hopeless.The iron ring of German troops is tightening tighter and tighter around you.You lack ammunition, supplies, and food; your rulers and leaders are incapable of anything, they flee and abandon you to fate.Many of you have been oppressed until now, deprived of rights — now you are being used only to defend their regime. Your struggle is useless!Is it really permissible that your command, out of stubbornness, still drives you mercilessly to inevitable death?No — your life is dear! Save it for a better future and for your families. Cross over to the Germans — there you will find good treatment and food, as well as a quick return home. Hurry!In the areas occupied by them, the Germans have already begun resolving the land question. Red Army soldiers, do not delay, otherwise you will be left without land! Headline (Russian): “Beat the Jew–political commissar, his mug begs for a brick!”(antisemitic slogan, repeated twice on the page) Top image caption:“Commissars and political instructors force you into senseless resistance.” Bottom image caption:“Drive away the commissars and cross over to the Germans.Cross to the Germans using either the slogan or the pass:” Final Comments: This is an extremely rare historical item and is only sold for historical purposes. They are filled with propaganda, disinformation, and hate speech.
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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.
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Original WWII German Army Soldbuch – Obergefreiter Karl Haas – 353 Infanterie Division – Siegfried Line – POW – EK2 – West Front
Soldbuch issued to Karl Haas in October of 1942. Non-Regulation Photo with Side Cap! Served in the following frontline units: Reserve-Grenadier-Bataillon 208 On October 20, 1942, the battalion was divided in Nancy into an Infantry Replacement Battalion 208 and a Reserve Infantry Battalion 208. From that day on, the replacement battalion was subordinate to Division 462. The reserve battalion was subordinate to the 182nd Reserve Division after its formation. The two battalions were renamed Grenadier Replacement Battalion 208 and Reserve Grenadier Battalion 208 on November 7, 1942, respectively. The replacement battalion was relocated to Metz on December 3, 1942. The Reserve Grenadier Battalion 208 was relocated to Versailles near Paris on September 14, 1943. Grenadier Regiment 226 – 79 Inf Div – Later 79 VGD On January 31, 1944, the 1st Battalion of the 731st Grenadier Regiment of the 711th Infantry Division (15th Wave of World War XII), which had already been relocated from west to east in October 1943, was incorporated as I./G.R.226. On July 7, 1944, I./G.R.226 was replaced by the 1st Battalion of the 993rd Grenadier Regiment of the 278th Infantry Division (22nd Wave of World War XII from Italy). The 2nd Battalion of the regiment was disbanded in the summer of 1944, leaving G.R.226 to consist of the 1st and 3rd Battalions. At the end of August 1944, the regiment was again defeated in the Jassy Pocket. A few smaller groups managed to break through to Hungary via the Capes. On October 27, 1944, the Grenadier Regiment was re-established with the 1st and 2nd Battalions as part of the formation of the 79th Volks-Grenadier Division. November 1944 – Festungs Pak Kompanie 1/XIII The headquarters of Fortress Anti-Tank Unit XIII was established in December 1944 in Straubing in Wehrkreis XIII. In February 1945, the headquarters in the west was destroyed and reorganized in March 1945 by renaming it the headquarters of Fortress Anti-Tank Unit XXII. Between December 1944 and January 1945, the 353rd Infantry Division operated as part of the LXXXI Army Corps at the Westfall defensive fortifications (Allied parlance: “Siegfried Line”), where it launched a major counterattack on 2 December, which was eventually beaten back by U.S. artillery. The 353rd Infantry Division was eventually trapped in the Ruhr Cauldron, where it went into American captivity around April 1945.[1] The division’s final commander was Colonel Kurt Hummel, who assumed command on 15 February 1945. Equipment – K98, P38 Pistol (Likely as MG Gunner) Injuries – Wounded in June 1943 – Grenade Splinter in the buttocks left side, found fit for service in May of 1944. Awards – Wounds Badge in Silver, Iron Cross Second Class, Iron Cross First Class (No stamp but looks good for the time 2.1945).
