Description
Soldbuch to Hauptmann Wilhelm Werner
Promoted from Unteroffizier to Hauptmann (1939-1945)
Born into a Protestant family on 15.3.1905, in Heppenheim (Bergstrasse) Darmstadt, Germany. He was married to Anne Werner and lived together with her in Heppenheim.
His Soldbuch was issued on 11.11.1939 with Infanterie Ersatz Batl 115, the M.G Company.
His first frontline unit was:
Infanterie Regiment 115 Darmstadt – (8 Komp) & Infanterie Regiment 104 (8.Komp) (33 Inf Div)
1.1940 – 6.1940
As part of the 16th Army advance into the Alsace area, the division took part in the taking of Belgium and France, fighting to the area of the Somme & Loire river.
Officer School – 6.1940 – 1.10.1940
Infanterie Regiment 485 (12.MG Komp) (263.Inf Div)
It was here that the Leutnant Werner with his MG Company would fight at the of Moscow, on the hellish battles on the western approaches to the city. In late December the division was forced to pull back.
Iron Cross Second Class – 20.9.1941
Defensive actions around Smolensk, north of Jenja
(Wischnjaki – Chimborasso – Höhe 256,9 – Szadki)
Wounds Badge in Black – 3.11.1941
Defensive actions on the Nara River, at the Bridgehead of Gorki.
Infantry Assault Badge – 11.12.1941
Defensive actions on the Nara River, Mariniki/Burinowo
Werner was now sent to a replacement unit to train new soldiers with the division, and was awarded the Eastern Front Medal on August 1942.
Infanterie Regiment 719 (Stab)
Grenadier Feldausbildungs Regiment 719 (391.FA Div)
1.10.1942 – Promotion & Security Stamp 20.2.1943
The unit was mainly a field training unit, made up of former RAD men who had just finished their six month compulsory service, and nearly all of the men who passed through these units were born in 1924. The field training unit served a second purpose, to stabilise the ever dangerous back lines from Partisan activity.
The unit was stationed in Belarus, in the city of Vitebsk, then later in the town of Baravucha.
Grenadier Regiment 257 (8.MG) (83.Inf Div)
27.11.1943 – Issued items
Silver Wounds Badge – 9.2.1944
Wounded in the Newel/Velikiye Luki area.
9.2.1944 – 31a – Infantry Bullet Wound –
Went straight through his left side of his abdomen cutting the urine flow.
Iron Cross First Class 10.3.1944
Awarded for his actions with the above unit.
Equipment
Interestingly he was issued a Wehrmacht Wrist Watch, he owned his side arm, a model 38H by Sauer and Son 7,65mm.
Hauptmann Werner was found fit for service once again, in December 1944. He arrived for duty with Heeres-Flakartillerie-Ersatz- und Ausbildungs-Abteilung 280 in Denmark. Although, no sign of any more action is recorded in the Soldbuch.
In August 1945, he was back in a hospital due to a fistula on his left knee, and would spend till early 1946 in a hospital.
Remarks
This Soldbuch saw the full war from start to finish. Werner was a combat decorated Officer who led a MG company, a desirable Soldbuch to say the least.Invasion of France and Belgium, to the Battle for Moscow, later training young recruits in Belarus, to the early 1944 retreats of Army Group North. Twice wounded, and decorated with both classes of the Iron Cross.
