WWII German Wehrmacht Soldbuch ID – Wilhelm Wolf – Pionner Batallion 342 – 342 Inf Div – Issued Grenade Launcher – Halbe Pocket 1945 (Hold)

Description

Issued to Wolf in April 1943

He served in various replacement/training units until he was assigned to the:

Pionner Batallion 342 – 342 Infanterie Division

When the Russians broke out of the bridgehead in January 1945, the division was almost completely destroyed during the Vistula–Oder Offensive, but it fought on as a kampfgruppe until it was encircled in the Halbe pocket during the Battle for Berlin. Some members of the division managed to escape westwards to surrender to the United States Army at Travemünde near Lübeck on the Baltic Sea.

Wounded with a grenade fragment (31b) in December of 1944, was found fit for duty again in March 1945 and sent to a replacement unit in Vienna for transfer to a fighting unit. It is highly likely given the front had not collapsed that he made it back to his unit and was thus encircled in the Halbe Pocket south of Berlin in April/May 1945.

Equipment 

Iron Rations

K98 Rifle with the Gewehrgranatgerät (Grenade Launcher!) Not seen this entry before!

12.1944 – Issued Winter Clothing such as the Filzstiefel, Fur Hat.

Awards

Wounds Badge in Black – January 1945