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 which remained in the recipients possession as his official military identification.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 5 5/8" x 4", twenty-four page book with a horizontally, crinkle textured, mid-weight tan card stock cover with a black printed national eagle with out swept wings and Gothic script to the obverse, "Soldbuch zugleich Personalausweiss", (Pay Book & Personal Identity Document), with two fine outer border stripes. The cover also has a tan fabric strip of reinforcement tape to the seam. The reverse cover also has black printed Gothic script, "Soldbücher dürfen nur durch das zuständige Wehrkreiskommando bezogen werden. Druck und Vertrieb durch Privatfirmen ist strengstens untersagt.", (Pay Books only have authority if drawn through the appropriate Military District Headquarters. Printing and distribution through private firms is strictly prohibited.) The inside front cover had a dual inkstamped, photograph of the recipient stapled in place but it has been removed with the partial inkstamps as evidence. The first service entries indicate the individual began his active military service on, "25. Feb. 1945", serving with, "Pz.Gren.Ers. Btl. Brdbg. 1. Kp.", (1^ST Company Panzer-Grenadier Replacement Battalion Brandenburg). The entry has the authorizing signature of a, "Hauptmann u. Kp.-Chef", with the unit inkstamp. Other unit entries indicate the individual served with three other assorted units including, "Gesch. Ausb. Kp./Pz. Gren. Ausb. Rgt. Brandenburg", (Assault Gun Training Company/Panzer Grenadier Training Regiment Brandenburg), "Pz. Gren. Ers. Brig. G.D. Cottbus", (Panzer Grenadier Replacement Brigade Großdeutschland Cottbus", and, "Pz.Gren.Ers. Btl. Brandenburg", ( Panzer-Grenadier Replacement Battalion Brandenburg). Of Note: The Panzer-Grenadier Division "Brandenburg" was originally formed as the 800^TH Construction Training Company in October 1939 and was an elite commando unit, under the control of the Abwehr, (Military Intelligence Service). The 800^TH/Brandenburg served in Poland, France, the Balkans, Italy, North Africa and Russia. Additional entries include, personal statistics, next-of-kin, clothing, equipment and weapons issue, vaccinations and pay rate. All the entries have the appropriate authorizing signature and/or inkstamp. The book is in overall good condition with light age yellowing and a couple of small cuts to the first couple of pages.

GRADE ***3/4                             PRICE $585.00