WWII German Luftwaffe Soldbuch ID – Stabsgefreiter Voss – Gem Flak Abteilung (mot) 12  – Italy 1944/45

Description

Issued to Voss in September 1939.

Served with:

1939 – Festungs-Flak-Abteilung 33

1942 – Leichte Flak Abteilung 951 – based in Nürnberg

1943 – Z.b.V Batterie 2014 – based in Nürnberg

1943/1944 – Flak Regiment 12 – 17th Flak Division – Fighting in Russia 

June 1944 – Gem Flak Abteilung (mot) 12 

From July 1, 1944, the unit was deployed to protect the Arno crossings and combat enemy attacks on the Arno bridgehead. In mid-September, the unit withdrew to the Futa Pass, part of the “Green Line,” where it engaged in heavy defensive fighting. The 1st Battalion of the 12th Flak Regiment followed the gradual withdrawal of army units to central and northern Italy. At the end of October/beginning of November, it was deployed in the Bologna area and at Sasso Marconi, where it remained for the winter months. On March 5, 1945, the unit changed positions and was tasked with protecting the Reno bridges in Bologna. On April 12, 1945, following the start of the Allied spring offensive, the unit left Boulogna, crossed the Po River south of Mantua, and then continued its advance to Lake Garda. There, it relied on cooperation with the 8th Mountain Division. On April 14, the unit reached Neumarkt via Trento. After heavy defensive fighting, the Apennine defenses collapsed at the end of April 1945. The subsequent retreat saw Flak Battalion I./12 advance along the Brenner Pass road to Innsbruck, which was reached at the end of April 1945. On May 1 and 2, the unit fought against American tanks at the Zirler Pass. The unit then moved to Hall. Beyond Hall, the 5th Battery was overtaken and destroyed by the American armored vanguard. The remainder of the unit took up a final firing position near the village of Söll in Tyrol on May 4, 1945. On May 8, 1945, the remnants of the unit surrendered to American forces.

May 1945 – II Batl Unterabschnitt D2 – POW Unit 

Awards

Westwall Medal – 1940

Final Notes

Note: Pages 9 & 10 Weapons and eye test missing and 15/16 missing – nothing important.