Showing 622–630 of 1093 resultsSorted by latest
-
Heer Soldbuch – Uffz Geier – Grenadier Regiment 20 (10 Pz Gren Div) – EK1 (HOLD)
Heer Soldbuch to Unteroffizier Hugo Geier Born in 1910, he enlisted in the German Army in January 1940. He served most of the war with: Grenadier Regiment 20 (10 Panzer Grenadier Division) (Before: Inf Reg 10, 10 ID) After the start of the western campaign, the division was placed under the 16th Army, which had the task of tracking divisions to the front armies. On May 19, 1940, the division was then placed under the 12th Army and used from May 14 on the Oise-Aisne Canal as flank protection. In the second phase of the French campaign, the “Battle of France”, the division took part in the 12th Army’s advance towards south-eastern France. The division passed Verdun to the west and south-west, followed the Maas on the west side and stood on the Langres plateau at the end of the western campaign. The division remained in France as an occupying force until September 1940. The division then moved to its home garrisons, where it was still motorized in 1940. The 10th Panzergrenadier Division was formed on June 13, 1943 by renaming the 10th Infantry Division (mot) in the Krichev – Klimovichi area. Panzer Battalion 7, set up for the division in France, did not join the division until December 1943. It was transported to southern Russia at the end of October 1943, after it had been deployed to OB West, and used there to support the front. Between August and November 1943, the division was assigned StuG Battalion 239 as a replacement. Between mid and late May 1943, parts of the division were deployed to fight partisans in the area south of Bryansk. In May and June 1943, the division fought in the area north of Orel for Vyazma. Between July 5 and July 12, 1943, the division was in heavy defensive fighting south of Orel. On July 14, the division fought at Ponyiri. From July 17, the division marched back into the area north of Orel and then stood in heavy defensive fighting between Bolkhov and Bryansk in the course of the evacuation of the Orel Arch. Geier was wounded in July 1943, and delivered to a hospital in Minsk, Belarus. Due to an explosion he lost the most part of his hearing as well as being physically injured with grenade splinter. He was sent to do guard duty after recovery: Landesschützen-Bataillon 828 From 1943 the battalion was stationed in Nuremberg-Langwasser, also in Military District XIII. From 1944 the battalion was again stationed in Hammelburg. There it was used by the commander of prisoners of war XIII. In late 1944: Panzergrenadier-Ersatz- und Ausbildungs-Bataillon 20 In March of 1945, they were mobilised and Geier was to see action once again. Awards Iron Cross Second Class Iron Cross First Class Eastern Front Medal Infantry Assault Badge Black Wounds Badge Silver Wounds Badge Summary A very nice Soldbuch to a combat experienced NCO. A really great photograph not often seen as good as that!
-
Heer Soldbuch – Leutnant Englitz – Grenadier Regiment 149 (246 VGD) – Hürtgen Forest Wounded 1944 (Hold)
Norbert Englitz was born in Breslau 1919. (Today, Wrocław Poland) He began his career in the Army in 1940 joining up in Breslau. Serving with: MG Company, Infanterie Regiment 375 (221. Infanterie-Division) and later – Grenadier Regiment 375 (454. Sicherungs-Division) In June 1942, the division was under the command of the rear army area 103. The division was deployed throughout the war mainly on the eastern front for security tasks in the rear army area, first with the 17th Army, then with the 6th Army and finally in the XI. Army Corps assigned to 1st Panzer Army, deployed. Under this subordination, parts of the division took part in the Battle of Kharkov in June 1942. For this period, the division is said to have been formed from just under 6,000 men with outdated equipment of German and Soviet production. On August 26, 1942, the 602nd Security Regiment was assigned to the division in place of the 57th Security Regiment, which joined Army Group B. From October 1942 the division was in the so-called army group reserve at the Battle of Moscow. From September 10, 1942, the division was subordinate to two cavalry departments 454. The Grenadier Regiment 375 was dissolved at the front on March 31, 1943 and distributed to the 111th Infantry Division and 304th Infantry Division, the staff formed the staff of the 375th Security Regiment. Grenadier Regiment 70 (111. Infanterie-Division) The unit was wiped out in Sevastopol. Although it would see Englitz had already left for training. Promoted from Schützen to Leutnant! After training he was sent back into the fight this time in the west! 13. Komp, I.G.Kp, Grenadier Regiment 149 (246 Volks Grenadier Division) Likely he was the leader of the Infantry Support Gun, a light artillery piece usually around 7.5cm Caliber. The division was deployed east of Aachen in the HKL, where heavy defensive fighting broke out again and lasted throughout November. On the 23rd of December 1944, Englitz arrived in hospital, he was wounded in Hurtgen Forest with a grenade splinter on the 17.11.1944. It must have been a bad injury, he was awarded the Silver Wounds Badge and he spent till late 1945 recovering, likely the loss of a limb. Special Equipment Binoculars Compass Awards Infantry Assault Badge Eastern Front Medal Iron Cross Second Class Wounds Badge in Silver Summary This Soldbuch to a young Lt in one of the most sought after units in Soldbuch Collecting, they do not come up often! He would never return to his hometown, declared in January of 1945 as homeless in Fulda Germany.
-
Heer Soldbuch – Oberleutnant Schröder – Grenadier Regment 1114 (551 VGD) – MP40 – EK2 – Lithuania / Latvia
Horst Schröder was born in 1920. He was enlisted in the Army in 1940 with a Tank Hunting training unit. He served with: Panzerjäger Abteilung 193 (93 Infanterie Div) After the division was recalled, the division was transferred to France as an occupying force. After the start of the Russian campaign, the division was transferred to the Eastern Front at the end of June/beginning of July 1941. The division marched through Wesenberg, Narva and through the Luga position to Leningrad. From October 1941 to March 1942 the division was at the Oranienbaumer Kessel. In May 1942, the division moved to the Volkhov and the Tigoda north of Lake Ilmen, where there were heavy trench warfare. From August to November 1942 the division was then deployed at the Lowat southwest of Cholm. He was wounded March 1941 in August 1941 he was fit again. Schneider spent some time in training after. In November 1942 , he was shot in the face with a training bullet and spent six days in hospital. He severed for short periods in both the following units: Radfahr Abt 8 (8 leichte Division) Panzer Grenadier Regiment 14 (5 Panzer Division) March 1943 – 31a – Shot by infantry bullet – released in August 1943 Grenadier Regiment 1114 ( 551 Volks Grenadier Division) From August 22, 1944, the regiment was loaded onto the railway in Thorn and then transported via Allenstein – Memel to Akmene, where it was unloaded from August 25, 1944. On August 26, 1944, the regiment took over parts of the section of Panzergrenadier Regiment 103 of the 14th Panzer Division and replaced it in its positions. From August 27, 1944, heavy fighting broke out in the only moderately developed positions. Company-strength Russian units managed to break into the regiment’s HKL at the southern tip of Lake Jonelaiciai. The regiment managed to re-occupy the HKL in a counterattack by the morning of the following day. Since the HKL was not greatly expanded, the regiment subsequently suffered heavy losses from Russian fire. On October 5, 1944, the Russian attack on the German positions began. The regiment was badly hit and pushed south. In the period that followed, the remnants of the regiment fought in the Kurland pocket. Feb 1945 – Lung problem Awards Eastern Front Medal Wounds Badge in Silver Iron Cross Second Class Equipment MP40 Iron Rations Private Pistol Lamp Summary An interesting photo inside his apartment! This Soldbuch could be researched further and in more depth. But all in all a nice Officers Soldbuch.
-
Heer Soldbuch – Gefreiter Freitag – Infanterie Regiment 1076 (542VGD) Frontline History! – Captured by US Troops – Western Front – EK2 (Sold)
Georg Freitag was born in Allenstein in 1921. His Soldbuch was issued on 1941, with a MG training unit. He joined: Grenadier Regiment 531 (383. Infanterie-Division) Raised on January 26, 1942 as the “Rheingold” division at the Arys military training area from lists of military replacement inspections in military districts I-III.On September 30, 1943, the division was reorganized into a new type 44 division. The division was annihilated as part of Army Group Center in June 1944 and officially disbanded on August 3, 1944. Wounded: September 1942, he recovered and rejoined his unit in 1943 he was wounded once again, this time by a bullet. In 1944 he joined: Infanterie Regiment 1076 (542 Volks Grenadier Division) A great battle report! At this point the division was fighting on the Narew north of Serock at the confluence of the Bug and Narew. After Russian units had crossed the Narew, they tried on October 10, 1944 to conquer the town of Klusek on the Narew from the north-east and east. The Grenadier Regiments 1076 and 1078 managed to hold the HKL. On October 11, 1944, Russian units managed to break into their own HKL south of Klusk using heavy artillery. The division managed to seal off the enemy intrusion and regain control of its own HKL by the evening. On October 13, 1944, the division tried to annihilate the Russian forces entrenched on the west bank of the Narew, but failed in the Russian barrage. On the morning of October 14, heavy Russian artillery fire began in front of the entire divisional sector. After the barrage stopped, Russian units attacked from the northeastern tip of the Klusek Forest to the left wing of the 252nd Infantry Division. The enemy managed to penetrate into the Klusekwald. At the same time, under the protection of artificial fog, about 2 Russian battalions crossed the Narew from Wiersbitz to Klusek. The attack was repelled. The HKL up to Klusek remained in the hands of the division. Bitter fighting broke out in the Klusek forest, during which it was possible to use the last divisional reserves to set up a HKL through the forest in a north-westerly direction. On October 15, after heavy preparatory fire, the enemy advanced through the Klusek forest and towards Grabina and Kacapy with strong infantry and armored forces and simultaneously attacking air raid units. While it was possible to stop the Russian attackers in the Klusek forest on the Murovanka – Kacapy line with heavy losses, the left flank of the division was threatened at noon, as Russian units had broken through the front of the 252nd Infantry Division and were on the eastern edges of the Ciepieliner forest stood. In the afternoon of October 15, the Klusek forest had to be cleared. By the evening, all forces had succeeded in building a new HVAC and reconnecting with the neighbor on the left. On October 16, Russian units of company and battalion strength continued their attacks, scanning the new German HKL for weak points. By evening the division’s combat strength had fallen to 981 men. On the morning of October 19, the Russian enemy attacked with massed infantry forces supported by tanks and attack aircraft. The front of the division was broken through and after hard fighting the Poblikow estate was lost. Further advance was prevented. The HKL in the Grenadier Regiment 1077 sector remained in the hands of the regiment during this first phase of the fighting. During the day Poblikow and Ciepeliner Buden were lost after heavy fighting. In the evening, Russian units were able to penetrate the Kronenwald. The Grenadier Regiment 1076 was briefly surrounded and was only able to free itself after heavy fighting. As the situation became more and more untenable, the Grenadier Regiments 1077 and 1078 were ordered to withdraw to a prepared 2nd line. The Russian continued his attacks on the morning of 20 November, piercing the division’s thin HKL. The center and left wing of the division could be held by mobilizing the last reserves in the form of alarm units. The 670th Security Battalion, which was subordinate to the division, was destroyed in the fighting and the connection to its right-hand neighbor was lost. A Russian attack launched at the same time against the HKL near the village of Marienau was also able to gain ground. Russian units were at the forefront of the Kastenwald. The Russians were thrown back by their own counterattack at nightfall. On the evening of October 20, the HKL was back in its own hands in the left section of the division. Battalion strength had dropped to 7-30 men. On the morning of October 21, the enemy continued their major attack. After heavy fighting, the remains of the regiments, some of which had been surrounded, had to be taken back in the evening and incorporated into a new HKL. In the first hours of October 22, Russian units attacked Swiesienica and Wolka Zaleska. Both attacks were repelled by the division. On 23 October there was only heavy Russian fire on the division’s HKL. On the morning of October 24, heavy Russian attacks, supported by heavy artillery fire, broke out again. In the right section of the division, the Russians managed to break into the HKL. Late in the afternoon fell Swiecienica, Wolka Zaleska and Zalesie Borowe. However, a breakthrough could be prevented. October 25 passed quietly, and there were no further attacks on the following day either. On October 26, the Grenadier Brigade de Disbanded in 1131, the remnants were incorporated into the 542nd Volksgrenadier Division. On October 27, the II./Jäger-Regiment 75 and the Grenadier-Regiment 461 left the divisional association. The I./Grenadier-Regiment 111 became a corps reserve. In the following days, things remained quiet at the HKL. A Russian attack launched on October 30 was repulsed. The period of silence from October 31 to December 4, 1944 was used to build positions and for training. At the end of November 1944, the battalion strength was again around…
-
Heer Soldbuch – Feldwebel Steinadler – Grenadier Regiment 712 (416 Inf Div) – Unter Franken 1945! Iron Cross! (Hold)
Heer Soldbuch to Walther Steinadler Born in Radingen in 1920. His Soldbuch was opened in 1939 when he was a member of the Machine Gun Company of: Infanterie Regiment 39 (9. Infanterie-Division) On May 10, 1940, the division took part in the western campaign. She crossed Luxembourg and Belgium. Then there was fighting in the Amiens area and on the Somme. During the second phase of the western campaign, the division crossed the Oise and the Ourcq and entered Paris. The division remained there as an occupation force before being transferred to northern France in July 1940. In March 1941 it was transferred to the General Government. As part of the 6th Army, the division took part in the Russian campaign from June 1941. She fought at Mosastyr and broke through the Stalin Line. She was then deployed at Oratow and Kanev, then at the Vorskla and at the Bereka. In 1942 the division took part in the battles at Izyum, Rostov and Bataisk. Then she turned to the southeast, marched through Krasnodar to the Kuban and to Krimskaya. He served in the following other units: Infanterie Regiment 528 (299. Infanterie-Division) Short time Infanterie Regiment 111 – 35 Infanterie Div – 1940 From May 10, 1940, the division took part in the western campaign, breaking through the Dutch and Belgian border fortifications in the Herzogenrath area north of the Eben Emael fort. The division then crossed the Juliane Canal, the Maas, the Maas-Scheldt Canal and the Albert Canal and reached the Dyle Position. During the second phase of the campaign, the “Battle of France”, the division served as an army group reserve of Army Group “B” and no longer took part in the fighting. After the end of the French campaign, the division was transferred to Belgium and used there for coastal protection on the Channel coast. In addition, the division was preparing for the landing in England. Wounded in July 1941 – Bullet in the left lower leg. Grenadier Regiment 712 – 416. Infanterie-Division – Dec 1943 – May 1945 It seems that he served a few smaller units before, and was in the Mortar Company. On October 4, 1944, the division was ordered to be transferred to the Western Front, with Grenadier Regiment 714 remaining in North Jutland. The average age of the division’s soldiers at the beginning of October 1944 was 38 years. The division was partially immobile at the time and lacked any combat experience. The division was actually supposed to be moved to the Belfort area, was determined by Army Group G to unload and deploy the division in the Saarburg – Mettlach – Merzig area. The division was this the LXXXII. subordinate to the Army Corps. The division replaced the 48th Infantry Division in its section and moved into a command post in Keuchingen near Mettlach / Saar on October 11, 1944. After the start of the Allied offensive across the Moselle on November 9, 1944, parts of the division were used in the defensive fighting around Freching and Kerling. On November 15, 1944, parts of Grenadier Regiment 712 fought in the Ritzing – Obernaumen – Kirschnaumen line. On November 17, 1944, the command post of the division was in Tünsdorf, on November 18 in Orscholz and on November 19 in Trassem. On November 28th the division headquarters were in Taben and on December 3rd in Taben-Rodt. On December 4, 1944, after a month of defensive fighting, the division still had a fighting strength of 2,400 men, of which 1,550 were infantry. Heavy fighting followed around the West Wall and the retreat to the Mettlach area on the Orscholzriegel. On January 14, 1945, the division still had a strength of 3,016 men. In the weeks that followed, heavy defensive fighting continued at the Orscholzriegel / Saar-Mosel triangle. During the period February 7–28, 1945, the division had 2,195 casualties. On March 13, 1945, the American offensive began in the area of the 79th Volksgrenadier Division and the 416th Infantry Division. In the sector of Kampfgruppe 79 Volksgrenadier Division, the Americans gained the eastern heights of the Ruwer sector and penetrated Waldrach from the north. In the area of the 416th Infantry Division, the American troops crossed the Saar and conquered Greimerath and the area west of it. By evening the division had been pushed back to a Scheiden-Bergen-Britten-Saarholzbach front line. The following day it remained quiet in front of the division. On March 15, the Americans attacked the front of the 416th Division on both sides of the road from Losheim to Britten, but were stopped by direct fire from the artillery stationed in the division’s sector. In the night of March 16, the LXXXII. Army Corps on the line Lückenburg – Reinsfeld – edge of the forest east of Kell – edge of the forest east of Waldweiler – west edge of Steinberg – east edge of Confeld – north-west edge of Mitlosheim – north-west edge of Losheim. On March 17, the division fought in the Nonnweiler – Birkenfeld area. The division’s command post moved first to Hasborn, then to the Kurhaus Haschberger Hof between Winterbach and St. Wendel. On March 18, the Americans broke through to Ottweiler. The divisional command post was moved to Fürth near Ottweiler. Weak rear troops of the division reached the Thallichtenberg – Selchenbach – Werschweiler – Fürth – Steinbach line by evening. The bulk of the remaining division reached the Glan position between Altenglan and Nanzweiler. On March 19, the remnants of the division were to take up positions on the Glan along the western edge of Pfeffelbach – western edge of Herchweiler – western edge of Steinbach. Parts of the division went back to the Altenglan – Nanzweiler section. American units managed to break through the division’s thin security lines. During the night of March 20, the divisional staff had to make their way to the city commandant of Kaiserslautern. All the remnants of the division that could still be reached were ordered to gather in…
-
Heer Soldbuch – Kanonier Niggeloh – Captured by British Airborne – Rhine 1945!
Karl Hermann Niggloh was born in 1926 in Westfahlen, Germany. Enlisted in 1944 in the Wehrmacht he was sent for training with Artillerie-Ersatz-Abteilung 31 It sees they were mobilised in early 1945 and sent to the front. In January, a telegram arrived to his house telling him to return to the unit immediately. In the rear pouch of the Soldbuch are various pocket litter including a photograph, a permit to enter the driving area of a unit. The most interesting thing about this small grouping is the two letters that came with it: It surfaced in the United Kingdom. ”Impressions of NAZI Germany, East of the Rhine – Peter Graham I have just returned from the airborne assault east of the Rhine. My first impression after things had calmed down was that topographically german east of the Rhine is very much like the English country side. -….. Germany the Nation of War…… Page 2, after landing and unloading a jeep and tractor we had to clean a few houses! One or two Snipers were firing and sporadic mortar and 88mm firs was coming over but there was no organised opposition. In one of the houses a member of the Volkssturm (German Home Guard) fired one or two rounds and gave himself up! ” Summary A very interesting little group of items, not often seen are souvenirs from the British forces! Likely with a little more research it woudl reveal a great deal more!
-
Heer Soldbuch – Uffz Maaßen – Grenadier Regiment 695 (340 VGD) – Bastogne 1944 – Stg43 !
Friederich Maaßen was born in Habinghorst in 1921. His Soldbuch was issued in January of 1942 with an infantry training regiment. He served with: Infanterie Regiment 696 – 13th I.G. Kp ( 340 Infantry Division) Serving in the Infantry Support Gun Company: With the loading of the first parts of the division onto the railroad, on May 12, 1942, the transfer to the east began with unloading in Volkowysk. For the most part, they reached the Dnieper in the Gomel area via Baranowicze – Ssluzk – Rogachev, mostly by land march. Here the division was briefly assigned to security services and also took part in a partisan operation. After a further land march via Chernigov – Neshin – Baturin – Glukhov, the division arrived in Kursk with the last parts on July 4, 1942, and then in a brisk advance south of the Kursk-Kastornoje railway line with the first parts on July 5th the area between the rivers Kschen and reach Olympus. During the march, smaller, scattered enemy groups were attacked again and again, but this did not cost us any casualties. By July 7, the division was assembled in bulk in the Kastornoye area (here DivGefStd). Despite the strenuous marches of the past, the division began the following day to relieve the 9th Panzer Division northeast of Kastornoje and took up a position northwest of Voronezh in line with the right wing at Gremjatsche/Malaya Werejka – Spasskoje – Ilinowka – Golossnowka. On July 10 (first battle!) they came under a strong enemy tank attack, which led to a break-in 2 km east of Maloprokrowka as far as Wereika (north of Semljansk). Here the division was in very hard defensive fighting (killing 10 tanks) and was supported by the Luftwaffe. This burglary was then cleared on July 13 by surrounding the enemy together with armored forces from the 9th PD. The enemy had assembled in front of the divisional front with strong armored forces (over 100 tanks), heavy artillery and motorized infantry and attacked the division several times a day for the next two weeks. All attacks were repelled (partly in counterattacks) and the enemy suffered considerable losses in man and material. The reported number of kills of over 30 tanks by the division testified to the severity of the fighting. In a further attack scheduled on July 23, together with the 9th Panzer Division to encircle the enemy group in front of the division, which was constantly being strengthened with new units, the division was able to hold the northwestern flank of the encircling movement (height 218 near Ivanovka) and the own line was advanced on the right wing to Lomowo – Ssurikowy Wysselki and with it the enemy from Bol. Wereika expelled. The division’s losses in the battles of 21. -26. July were 13 officers and 754 Uffze + men. On July 27, the 9.PzDiv was finally separated and from July 29. Parts of the 377th Infantry Division took over sections of the 340th ID in exchange for sections of the 340th ID. Even during August 1942 and in the first two weeks of September the efforts of the Red Army to regain the left and right banks of the Don at Voronezh did not abate. However, all enemy attacks, some of which were massed with tanks and heavy artillery, were repelled. In order to compensate for the losses incurred by the trench fighters, the order was given on August 19, 1942 to ruthlessly comb out the cable. The tense personnel situation repeatedly required the subordination of battalions and regiments to and from neighboring divisions. Division sectors were often exchanged or extended on army orders, but the division generally remained in the “Northern Front” north of Zemlyansk, albeit partly in extension to the west and east to the Don (Donskaya) and from there turning sharply to the south, the Follow the course of the Don (right bank) to the Olchowatka area. Maaßen was wounded due to an accident in September 1942 and sent to a hospital, recovering in March 1943 he rejoined the division: Infanterie Regiment 695 (340 ID) There is a daily divisional report to be found here! Great in depth analysis on the Division! https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Infanteriedivisionen/340ID.htm Maaßen was wounded once again this time a fragment of a grenade splinter. Interestingly he there was a note in the back of the Soldbuch issued a few weeks before from the Panzerjäger Abt 350 (Tank Hunters) that he took part in learning how to fight tanks at close quarters and was now proficient with the Panzerfaust! He also was confirmed to have three Close Combat Days – all in early 1944! By late 1944 he would rejoin the division: Divisions Kampfschule 340 – later Feld Ersatz Batl 1340 (340 Volks Grenadier Division) On November 16, 1944, the expected American offensive against the Rur position in the Geilenkirchen – Würselen area began. By November 25, the Americans had succeeded in pushing the German formations back to the approach to the Jülich bridgehead. On November 20, the 340th Volksgrenadier Division was ordered to move into the Rur position immediately. To reinforce the Jülich bridgehead, the 340th Volksgrenadier Division was transferred to staging areas close to the front during the night of November 21st. Thus, the division was not deployed as a closed unit, but from the transport trains and was immediately involved in heavy defensive fighting. On November 23, the division was engaged in a heavy defensive battle in the Jülich bridgehead. After heavy losses, the division left the Jülich bridgehead on November 28, 1944 and the division retreated to the east bank of the Rur. In the bridgehead the division had lost 31 officers and 2,400 men. On December 2, 1944, the division was replaced by the 363rd Volksgrenadier Division. On December 6, the division was deployed in Linnich, Lindern. In the battle for Flossdorf, one battalion of the division was completely wiped out. On December 25, 1944, the division was pulled out of its previous front area and supplied…
-
Soldbuch Set – Gefreiter Haselbach – Panzer Grenadier Regiment 30 (18 PzGren Div) – Stg44 – KIA BERLIN 1945 – CCC (Sold)
Soldbuch grouping to Walter Haselbach Born in Berusdorf, (today, Bernartice Czech Republic) in 1924. He enlisted int he German Army in 1942. Serving shortly with Feldausbilungs Regiment 381 in 1942. In 1943 He joined: Panzer Grenadier Regiment 12 (4th Panzer Division) He was shot with a bullet in August 1943, although this was a minor wound. In July 1944 he was hit by splinters, being released from hospital in October 1944. Panzergrenadier Regiment ”Schlesien” 1945 Panzer Division Schlesien was formed in February 1945 at the Döberitz military training area near Berlin. Originally it was to be called Panzer-Division Döberitz, but was then renamed Panzer-Division Schlesien. The Panzer Division Schlesien was equipped with 21 Type IV tanks by the Army Equipment Office, and another 20 tanks were added in March 1945. The division was only deployed shortly before the end of the war. In February 1945, the Silesian Panzer Division was placed under the command of Army Group Vistula and was to be deployed in Frankfurt an der Oder. At the end of March 1945, the Silesian Panzer Division and the Holstein Panzer Division were combined to form the 18th Panzergrenadier Division. Panzer Grenadier Regiment 30 – 18th Panzer Grenadier Division – Berlin 1945 According to maps in the unit divisional history, this unit was defending a square sector S-Bahn Westkreuz – S-Bahn Halensee – Kürfurstendamm He was issued with a StG 44 Assault Rifle. The story of the unit and Haselbach is featured in a new book on the battle of Berlin 1945 (Release date Summer 2022). It seems Haselbach made it out of the encirclement near Westkreuz and was killed on the 8th of May 1945, he was buried in Berlin – Spandau. Interestingly, the author has noted that those killed in that sector where not buried in Spandau but near the Olympic Stadium and mostly the battle had ended in that sector around one week before. This would indicate that Haselbach along with many other fractured units likely made its way towards Spandau in an attempt to make it out of Berlin. It was here he was killed or died of his wounds, and was buried in Spandau. Included Soldbuch – Missing rear part Page 21 on, looks to have been pulled due to blood staining. Wallet holding the Soldbuch Wounds Badge in Black (Mm93) Four Photos of Haselbach in Uniform Wounds Badge Black Document Large Glass Framed Picture of Haselbach – with black ribbon Documents to his father and mother. Awards Wounds Badge in Black Panzer Badge in Bronze Close Combat Clasp Bronze Summary Killed in action in the Berlin, this battle hardened Soldier seen heavy action in the Eastern Front, and was a witness of the struggle of the last battles on the Oder Front. Finding Soldbücher to KIA German Soldiers for the Battle of Berlin is nearly impossible they don’t come up very often. The majority that do come up are not combat veterans, but elderly or young soldiers. This example is extra ordinary. The large framed photo bearing the black ribbon
-
Luftwaffe Wehrpass – FJ Benkus – Fsch Pionier E.u.B Batl 1 – Holland & KIA Remagen
Luftwaffe Wehrpass for Horst Benkus Born in 1926 in the area of Insterburg, Benkus was enlisted in August 1943 as a volunteer. He volunteered to fight with a Luftwaffe Field division. In July 1944 he was sent to: Fallschirm-Pionier-Ersatz- und Ausbildungs-Bataillon 1 with later formed, Fallschrimjäger Pionier Regiment 20 Interestingly, he was serving in Holland from February 1944 till July 1944. It seems he was killed in or near Remagen in May 1945. He died at 19 years old.
