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H055857 WEHRPASS, SOLDBUCH & DRIVERS LICENCE. (Wehrpaß, Soldbuch und Militär-Führerschein)
BACKGROUND: With the reintroduction of conscription in 1935, the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, (High Command of the Armed Forces), activated the Wehrersatzdienststelle, (Military Recruiting Offices), throughout Germany to process and administer the call up procedure. When individuals received their registration notice they were to report to the appropriate recruitment center where they would be issued a Wehrpass, (Military Pass), until they were inducted into active duty. Starting in the autumn of 1939, when an individual was inducted into active military service the Wehrpass was exchanged at the recruitment office for the Soldbuch, (Pay Book), which remained in the recipients possession as his official military identification document. The recruitment office would retain the Wehrpass and chronicle the individuals active service record in it. The Wehrpass was issued in three, slightly different, variants with minor modifications with the first pattern being circa 1934-1938, the second pattern circa 1938-1945 and the third pattern circa 1942-1945. Generally if the individual was killed in battle the Wehrpass would be forwarded to his next-of-kin as a memento of his service time. Of Interest: The Reich conscription laws of 1935 dictated that each of the three branches of service would be allocated a percentage of the available recruits according to their manpower requirements with the army being allotted the lions share of roughly 66% of eligible personnel followed by the Luftwaffe who were accorded roughly 25% with the Kriegsmarine receiving the remaining 9% of personnel. The German armed forces went to great lengths to ensure its personnel were provided with the best in-depth training that was available at the time. Besides basic military and ideology training additional training also covered a wide variety of specialized skills, trades and functions including vehicle drivers. The armed forces required all drivers to pass the appropriate military drivers test, even if they already held a civilian drivers licence. The wide variety of military vehicles necessitated diverse, in-depth testing depending on the particular vehicle to be driven. The drivers licenses were issued in three assorted classes for different types of vehicles. All military drivers licence were assigned a specific number which was recorded by the units administrative office which enabled them to reissue a lost licence with no further testing. The military drivers licenses were only valid while the individual was on active service and on discharge the licence was to be returned to the appropriate administrative office. With the return of the military drivers licence the individual would be reissued a civilian licence with no further testing. Of Note: On October 23RD 1942 a series of three Driver’s Proficiency Badges in the grades of bronze, silver and gold were introduced with qualifications for bestowal of the badges being retroactive to December 1ST 1940. The criteria for award of one of the badges varied with exceptional driving ability and vehicle maintenance being the main considerations.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 5 3/4" x 4 1/4", fifty-two page, second pattern, (circa 1938-45), Wehrpass with a charcoal grey printed Wehrmacht style eagle with out-stretched wings, clutching a wreathed, canted, swastika in its talons and Gothic script, "Wehrpaß", to the slightly crinkle textured, mid-weight, grey card stock cover. The cover has a grey tape seam reinforcement which is still intact. The first internal page has handwritten and inkstamped entries that indicate the recipient registered for military service in, "Aurich", on, "29. Okt. 1939", and the entry has the authorizing signature of a, "Hauptmann u. Wehrbz.-Offz.", with the appropriate, "Wehrbezirkskommando", (Military Recruiting District Headquarters), inkstamp. The second internal page has a dual inkstamped, signed, black and white photograph of the nineteen year old recipient in civilian clothes rivetted in place. Further entries show that on registering the individual was found fit for combat duty and assigned to, "Ersatzreserve I", indicating he was under thirty-five years old, untrained and not called up at that time. On, 22. Feb. 1940", the individual returned to his recruiting office was found fit and began his active service with, "Inf.=Pz. Abw. Ers. Kp. 269", (269TH Anti-tank Infantry Replacement Company). Service entries indicate the individual served in an additional three units including, "Kw. Kolonne I. R. 16", (Motor Transport Column 16TH Infantry Regiment), "14./J.R. 16", (14TH Company 16TH Infantry Battalion), and, "Stabskp. Gren. Rgt.16/Stab", (Headquarters Company 16TH Grenadier Regiment). Of Note: The 16TH Infantry/Grenadier Regiment was a component of the 22ND Infantry Division which was converted to the 22ND Air Landing Division in late 1939. Training entries indicate the individual received instruction with the, "Granat", and "Pistole 08", along with an additional, illegible weapon. Additional training entries indicate the individual was a qualified vehicle driver. Promotional entries indicate the individual was promoted to the rank of, "Oberschützen", on, "1. 12. 40", the rank of "Gefreiter" on, "1. 9. 41" and the rank of "Obergefreiter", on, "1. 3. 42". The book has two full pages and part of a third page with handwritten, and glued in typed, active service entries that run from April 1940 up to May 1945. The active service entries indicate the individual participated in the air landing assault in Holland, deployment in Belgium in early 1941 before transferring to Germany in February of that year and then on to Rumania in April that year in anticipation of the invasion of Russia. Additional active service entries indicate the individual participated in battle in various locations on the eastern front including, "Stalin-Linie", the "Bug", and "Dnjepr" river crossings, "Perekop", and the successful assault on "Sevastopol" before a final posting to "Kreta", (Crete). Award entries indicates the individual was awarded an Iron Cross 2ND class, a Russian front Medal, a Crimean Campaign shield and a Driver’s Proficiency Badge in bronze. Other entries include personal statistics, next-of-kin, education, a medical examination finding the individual fit for tropical service and an entry that indicates that the individual held a class II driver’s licence. All the entries have the appropriate authorizing signatures and/or inkstamps. The pages show minor age yellowing but are all intact. Also included is the individuals Soldbuch. The roughly 5 3/4" x 4 1/8", twenty-four page Soldbuch has a horizontally crinkle textured tan card stock cover with a black printed, Wehrmacht style eagle with out-stretched wings, clutching a wreathed, canted, swastika in its talons and Gothic script to the obverse, "Soldbuch zugleich Personalausweiss", (Pay Book & Personal Identity Document), with two outer border lines. The cover has separated from the book and four internal pages are absent. The book has no photograph of the recipient or any evidence that one was ever applied. Of Note: Regulations to have a photo of the recipient placed in the Soldbuch wasn’t enacted until 1943. The entries generally reiterate the Wehrpass entries and include that the individual began his active military service on, "5. März 1940", with, "Inf.=Pz. Abw. Ers. Kp. 269", (269TH Anti-tank Infantry Replacement Company). The entry has the authorizing signature of a, "Leutnant u. Komp-Führer", with the unit inkstamp. Other entries include the same units, promotions and awards as found in the Wehrpass. Additional entries include, personal statistics, next-of-kin, clothing, equipment and weapons issue, vaccinations, hygienic item allowance, two security checks, pay rate and a pay raise and five furloughs. All the entries have the appropriate authorizing signature and/or inkstamp. The pages show light to moderate age yellowing and some moisture staining resulting in some ink bleeding. Also included is a military driver’s licence. The roughly, 6" x 8 1/2", dual fold, mid-weight, grey oilcloth construction military drivers licence with black printed Gothic script and typed and inkstamped particulars. The front cover includes the printed heading, "Wehrmacht-Führerschein", (Armed Forces-Driver’s Licence) and, "Nur gültig für die Dauer Dienstverhältnisses bei der Wehrmacht {Bei der Entlassung abzugeben.}", (Only valid for the duration of service in the Armed Forces. {To be returned on release of service.}). The front cover also lists the recipients name, birth date and location and unit, "Regts. Kw, Kolonne Jinf. Regt. 16", (Regimental Motor Transport Column 16TH Infantry Regiment). The script to the interior of the licence indicates the recipient passed both his class two and three, "Verbrennungsmaschine", (Internal Combustion Engine), driver’s tests and the licence was issued on "15. August 1940". The licence has dual authorizing 16TH Infantry Regiment inkstamps and a "Oberstleutnant", signature. The licence has no photograph of the recipient or any evidence that one was applied. The interior two pages both have a faint outline of what appears to be a four leaf clover.The back cover has a blank space to enter any additional testing with the printed heading, "Raum für weitere amtliche Eintragungen, insbesondere Bedingungen der Etlaubnis oder Ausdehnung der Erlaubnis nach Ergänzungsprufungen", (Room for further official entries, especially conditions of the permission or expansion of the permission after supplement tests.) The licence is in overall good condition with light age and usage toning and minor edge fraying. Also included is a roughly, 4 1/8" x 5 7/8", dual fold, mid-weight cardstock prisoner of war identity card with black printed Croatian script and handwritten particulars dated, "30. X. 1947". The card has a small, inkstamped, black and white photograph of the recipient glued in place. The card was issue by "Komanda 167 logora and the script includes the recipients personal statistics and his prisoner number. The card has dual authorizing inkstamps and a "Komandant" signature. All the documents come in a roughly, 6 1/8" x 9 3/8", dual-fold, coarsely woven tan and grey canvas pouch with machine stitched seams. The pouch has two internal pockets. Interesting document group.
GRADE ***1/2 PRICE $295.00
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