Wehrpass Grouping – Oberfeldwebel Döhrer – Gren Reg 378 (169ID) – Troop Leader – ‘KIA in Salla, Finnland’ – Operation Artic Fox

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Description

Wehrpass Grouping to Oberfeldwebel Döhrer

Ferdinand Döhrer was born on the 10 June 1914, in the area of Meiningen Germany, he learned to be a builder in his civilian life.

He was living with his wife Frieda which he married during the war.

The Wehrpass is extremely early issued on the 1st of September 1936, hand signed by Kurt Rühle von Lilienstern (Later Generalmajor / died as a POW in Buchenwald 1946).

Training

Döhrer was trained on the K98 Rifle, Light machine gun MG34, Luger P08, Pistol P38, MP.40, and a rifle grenade device. Döhrer  was specifically trained a group leader and Troop Leader, stated explicitly in his Wehrpass that he is only to be used as such on the frontline.

Döhrer would serve till 1937 in Infanterie Regiment 103, then after two years he was called up again during the beginning of the war in 1939. Serving with various units behind the lines until 1940.

Döhrer would serve with Infanterie Regiment 379 & 378 (169.Infanterie Divsion) 

Fighting in France until the 29.6.1941 he was then sent to Finland.

His battle calendar for Finland is extensive, fighting in the Salla area, then Kuolajärvi, Nurmi, Wojta, Lyssaja and Werman. In 1944 he was back in Salla where he was killed, near where he first seen combat in Finland three years before.

169.Infanterie Divsion – Battle synopsis 

The division was part of the German XXXVI Corps which also included SS Division Nord and the Finnish 6th Division. On 1 July the corps began its attack which was aimed at Kandalaksha on the White Sea coast. The division crossed the Finnish-Soviet Border just north of Salla. During the heavy fighting against the Soviet 122nd Division the SS Division Nord broke and fled. On 8 July the 169th occupied Salla. With the help of the Finnish 6th Division the Soviets were pushed back beyond the pre-Winter War borders.

In September the division had advanced to the River Verman (Vermanjoki), here the offensive finally stalled. During autumn 1941 AOK Norwegen decided to shifts its attack to the area held by the Finnish 3rd Division. The 169th Division stayed in the area around Salla until the beginning of hostilities between Finland and Germany in 1944.

Awards

Iron Cross Second Class 10.7.1941 –

In Salla Finland during the ‘Operation Artic Fox’ . Award Certificate included: hand signed by Generalmajor Dittmar (German Cross in Gold) and Commander of the 169 ID.

Infantry Assault Badge 10.10.1941 –

His Award Certificate hand signed by the regimental commander.

Iron Cross First Class 15.10.1941

Wounds Badge in Black

Eastern Front Medal

More on Operation Artic Fox: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Arctic_Fox  

Döhrer was wounded on the 11.4.1942 in Alakurtti with a infantry bullet in his left side of his back, after recovery and rejoining his unit he was shot again with a bullet which stuck in his left upper arm in December 1943. Döhrer rejoined the division again, although this time he was killed on the 29.6.1944 in Kymivaara Finland, a few months just before the German withdrawal from Finland in September 1944.

Döhrer is buried in Salla Finland, in a German Army Graveyard.

Comments:

Wehrpass and award documents to a combat decorated Troop Leader who fought almost exclusively in the battles in Northern Finland, awarded both classes of the Iron Cross and the Infantry Assault badge during Operation Artic Fox. His Award Certificates were shortened by the family to fit in a frame. Interestingly, he swore two Oaths, presumably one to Germany then it is stated on page 46 that he swore another Oath this time to Hitler.