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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 Wehrmacht Officer Death/Burial Map & Death Notice – Red Cross Letter from Gulag – Leutnant Walter Heyl – Schützen Regiment 73 – 19 Panzer Division – Iron Cross Posthumus – Fully Translated – Very Rare
Here we have something quite rare and unique. The Death Notice and Map of where he died and was buried created by the Wehrmacht and sent to the family. Interestingly, his Award Document for the Panzer Assault Badge was sold here: https://www.lakesidetrader.com/item.php?ID=20437 He is not listed on the German Website for War Dead. Translation – Death Notice Russia, 9 March 1942 Dear Mrs. Heyl, When you receive this letter, I ask you to hold yourself very firm and stay strong. Your son, my Lieutenant Heyl (Walter), was severely wounded on 28 February 1942, around 16:00 hours, by a headshot during the heroic defense of the village of Medwenke, while serving as platoon leader of Company S.R.73. According to the medical company 2/19, he was treated at the main dressing station in Miljatino and passed away on 2 March 1942 at 4:45 without regaining consciousness. The circumstances of his heroic death are as follows: Since 23 February, my battalion has been in the focal point of Russian attacks on the Roslavl–Juchnow railway and had to defend several villages, including Medwenke. Since 26 February, the Russians attacked Medwenke incessantly with infantry and heavy tanks and sought to unite all their forces there. Your son immediately took over command of the 7th Company upon his arrival at the battalion and led it from then on, defending the village of Medwenke. Under his dutiful and reliable leadership, all attacks broke down, and the number of dead Russians grew ever greater in front of our defensive line. The Russians then dug themselves in and began concentrated infantry fire. A shell struck him. He was immediately unconscious; under no circumstances could he have suffered pain. Shortly after he was wounded, I myself went to Medwenke, as the situation was critical (another company commander had just fallen), to check on matters. I found him lying unconscious, protected by a snow wall. He did not recognize me. I immediately ordered his evacuation. The attached document gives further details about his death. Dear Mrs. Heyl! I know it is pointless to try to comfort you. I only wish to say this: that your deep pain is bound together with pride for your son, who fell as a hero. The Iron Cross Second Class, which he had earned, will undoubtedly be awarded to him posthumously — may it be for you a token of his bravery and self-sacrifice. My officer corps and I valued him highly for his modest, kind, and trustworthy character. I too have lost much. Please accept, as his mother, my deepest sympathy. With most respectful regards, Your very devoted [signed] Bruns Commander II/S.R.73 Translation – HV1440 Red Cross Letter sent from Soviet Gulag by Walther Brother to his mother. 22 January 1948, Nr. 32 Mother! Dear ones at home! Since confirming my card 23, I have had no message from you! Now Christmas is approaching — it will be the saddest of my life. My 51st birthday again marked by separation for the 10th time! Bitter facts for us all. We can only cling to anxious hope in our thoughts, but only actual events can convince us. On 16 January, I had a strong inflammation on my right thumb operated on; it went well. The medical care is excellent and must be especially praised. How are the parents? Today, many motherly admonitions from my youth come back as true words of remembrance. Birthday greetings have arrived. Hopefully, fate will grant me the time to be with you again. Letters may still be permitted for you. If so, I will write more extensively to you. Quiet and lonely it is here around me. In my thoughts, I am gratefully with our cheerful family days again; father is no longer there. The harshness of fate struck us mercilessly — there is no solution. Learn to hate war! This realization must be a reminder for our political thinking and actions. Stay healthy and study diligently. Warm greetings to Gretchen, parents, Anna, and you, dear Mother. Yours, Kurt
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Original WWII German Propaganda for Germans! – Deutsche Volksgenossen! – Fully Translated – Rare
The leaflet is addressed to “Deutsche Volksgenossen!” (German compatriots!) and was designed to instruct civilians in occupied or soon-to-be occupied territories on how to behave when Allied forces advanced into their towns and cities. German Comrades! Although our heroically fighting soldiers have done everything in heavy battles and exemplary bravery to repel the enemy, he has penetrated into our Lower Rhenish homeland.If you now have to live under foreign occupation, then be aware that you have great duties towards your people and Führer, your fighting sons and fathers. The entire nation looks to you!The fallen call upon you! Ask yourselves, in every difficult situation, what is expected of you, and then act as is right. What is expected of you? How should you behave? 1. You must uphold the honor of your great nation.If the enemy proclaims: “Germany will collapse the moment our soldiers set foot across its borders,” then he has deceived himself.Prove to the enemy that you will never surrender your honor.Whoever forgets dignity and honor is despised not only by us but even more so by the enemy. 2. Whoever cooperates with the enemy, whoever gives voluntary assistance to the hostile military power, commits treason against Germany. 3. No German will consider the enemy worthy of even a glance, none will converse with him, none will associate with him. 4. Should anyone be found who betrays his honor, he will be despised and treated worse than the enemy himself, for he is a traitor. 5. If they force you under duress to perform services, remember the names of the units, officers, and officials; in due time they will not escape just punishment. 6. When you see the ruins of your cities and villages and see the enemy soldiers, then you see the criminals at the scene of the crime. If the enemy asks you the way, show him the way to the cemeteries where thousands of Rhineland men, women, and children are buried, murdered by this very enemy. If anyone says that the English and Americans are innocent, remember how many innocent women and children were horribly killed under their carpet bombings and in the infernos of fire. 7. If the enemy demands services from you, you have the right to refuse. You can rely on international law, the Hague Convention of October 18, 1907, signed by all states. The article reads:“Services and deliveries can be demanded from municipalities or inhabitants only for the needs of the occupying army. They must be proportionate to the resources of the country and of such a nature that they do not force the population to take part in military actions against their homeland.”You must therefore refuse any service that would aid the enemy army in its war against Germany. 8. Do not look at newspapers, leaflets, or printed matter distributed by the enemy. Do not listen to his radio. Let his films roll before empty benches, despise every amusement and distraction with which the enemy wants to ingratiate himself with you. For every hour that you indulge in such things, German soldiers and civilians are dying under his bombs and shells. 9. Do not grant the enemy any applause when he stages a military spectacle. Every hostile column must pass through a gauntlet of contempt. Not a single enemy soldier should feel comfortable for even one hour in our land. No one among you should allow it to be said that the Germans fight like lions in the field but behave like tame lambs at home. 10. No woman and no girl must ever show the enemy the slightest kindness. Above all, her honor must remain untouchable, for the honor of the woman is the honor of the entire nation. 11. The more sharply you reject the enemy, the more you close ranks as Germans. Help one another in your distress. Stand by each other as you have done in the nights of bombing, without orders, without command, and without reminder. The enemy has refused to believe that we were a united, content, socially advancing people. Prove to him how united we are and how unbreakable our cohesion is. Let it be read on our foreheads and in the eyes of every German person that no word of the enemy penetrates our hearts. We have a cause to defend, for which millions of Germans have already given their lives, and for which an entire people continues to fight. So be worthy and fight on! Our heroically fighting soldiers will return! Long live Germany!Long live the Führer!
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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.
