Description
The SS Soldbuch was opened in the SS Training Facility in Debica in April 1942.
Issued to Franz Eidrich, a Volksdeutche living in Hungary at the time of enlistment.
Units:
1. SS-Infanterie-Brigade (mot.) – Totenkopf
SS Infanterie Regiment 8 – Which was fighting under the Totenkopf shortly then under 18. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadierdivision “Horst Wessel” – according to research they fought Partisans and took part in the quashing the Slovak uprising.
The 18th SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Division “Horst Wessel” (German: 18. SS-Freiwilligen Panzergrenadier-Division “Horst Wessel”) was formed in 1944 around a cadre from the 1st SS Infantry Brigade and included mainly ethnic Germans (Volksdeutsche) from Hungary. The 1st battalion of about 1000 men was attached to SS Division Horst Wessel and sent to Galicia. It was used for “rear-security” duties until it was sent to the Eastern front, with the exception of one regiment that fought the Slovak National Uprising in August 1944.
Eidrich was was wounded on the 30.8.1943 – some sort of pressure wounds likely caused by an explosions. He was Awarded the Black Wounds badge.
He spent time recovering and serving with SS Nachrichten Ausbildungs Abt 4. Here he would learn the trade of an infantry radioman.
Late 1944 early 1945 he was assigned to the Stab of the SS Nachrichten Abt 17 – 17th SS Panzer Grenadier Division “Götz von Berlichingen”
Awarded the War Merit Cross with Swords, he was obviously good at his task. By the Signals unit of the 17th SS Div GvB in December of 1944.
The Götz von Berlichingen took part in the defense of the ‘West Wall’ until March 18, 1945, when the Americans broke through. At this time its armored vehicle strength comprised 62 assault guns (of which 47 were operational) as well as two Panzer IV tanks. On March 22, division commander SS-Oberführer Fritz Klingenberg was killed in action. That day, the division abandoned all its vehicles and began to retreat, but only some 500 to 600 men escaped US encirclement in the Pfaelzer Forest and reached Wiesloch on the east bank of the Rhine.
By April 1, the division’s strength was rebuilt to roughly 7,000 men. It then took part in the Battle of Buchhof and Stein am Kocher and the Battle of Heilbronn. Subsequently, the division defended the Jagst and Tauber River valleys, as well as Bad Mergentheim. Although greatly reduced in numbers, it took part in the defense of Nuremberg, where the 38th SS Regiment was destroyed by April 20. The rest of the division continued fighting until the 24th, and then fell back to Donauwörth on the Danube.
Eidrich was wounded just before the outbreak of the Battle of Heilbronn likely fighting elements of the US Army 100 Inf Division. A small entry in the equipment pages states he arrived at the hospital on the 1.4.1945 in Heilbron.
Final Comments:
An exceptional Soldbuch to a Hungarian born Volksdeutsche who seen some of the most formidable units fielded during WWII. It seems the photo was replaced during the war with his upgraded rank and awards, which happened quite often. A fully original untouched item.
