WWII German Wehrmacht Soldbuch – Stabsgefr Quiatkowski – Grenadier-Regiment 1053 (85 Inf Div) – Falaise Pocket – Normandy 1944 – Rare (On Hold)

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Soldbuch Issued to Paul Quiatkowski in August 1939. 

He served with many units, including some early Reiter (Horse) Schwadron 26, then 320 and subsequently Aufklarungs Abt 371 (371 Inf Div) interestingly his unit was given over to the

353. Infanterie-Division

Fighting in Russia and the Balkans. In Russia he had a code 34 injury pertaining to an “Accident or self mutilation” and in 1944, he arrived that the hospital in Abbeville (Normandy) in April of 1944 with a muscle complaint. 

Battle of Normandy, It seems that during the first days of the battle he was transferred at some period to the Grenadier Regiment 1053 (85 ID) 

The 85. Infanteriedivision arrived on the Normandy scene later in the campaign, not materializing until August, just in time to relieve the 12. SS-Panzerdivision (Hitlerjugend) on the Caen-Falaise highway on 11 August. The 12. SS had been battered by constant Allied air, artillery and tank attacks and was badly in need of a few days’ rest and refitting. However, the 85. ID was untested and under-strength. They were in no condition to hold a line of defence that was so contested. They got three days of relative peace.
14 August saw the 85. ID under heavy pressure from Allied bomber strikes, as well as the advance of the 1st Polish Armoured division. The fighting was intense and bitter. The tanks of the Poles won the day, literally rolling over the German lines.

By 17 August, after their escape from Falaise, the 85. ID was reduced to one and a half infantry battalions, two field artillery pieces, and miscellaneous support troops, this reduced from a total strength of 6 infantry battalions and two field artillery battalions a month earlier.

The 85. Infanterie division later saw action in Operation Market Garden and suffered heavy losses at Aachen. 

Comments: Mega rare unit to find, Normandy is also highly sought after. Sadly he pulled his awards page before being captured, this was likely due to him having fear of reprisal. Worth checking the archives/unit histories to see if he is mentioned for some awards as he had something to hide.Â