Original German WWII Document and Photo Album Grouping of Panzer NCO Unteroffizier Siegfried Wehling with EKII - Possibly Fought at Battle of the Bulge
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Original Item: One-Of-A-Kind. Here we have a fantastic German WWII grouping, named to Siegfried Fritz Otto Wehling, usually referred to as simply "Siegfried Wehling" on the included documents and information. Beginning the war at the enlisted rank of Panzerfunker (armored radioman), he eventually rose to the NCO rank of Unteroffizier by the end of the war, equivalent to a U.S. Army Sergeant. This grouping contains many documents from his service, a lovely Iron Cross 2nd Class award, and a lovely photo album from his time in service. This grouping has fantastic research and display potential, and is full of pictures and information that describe the life of a serviceman in WWII Germany.
Of particularly interest is that the item with the latest date we have is the BESITZZEUGNIS possession certificate for a VERWUNDABZEICHAN IN Schwarz (Black Wound Badge), dated 26. 2. 1945. It indicates that he was a member of 3. Ausb. Komp. z.b.V. / G. E. u. A. Btl. 57, which was part of Grenadier Regiment 57. This unit was part of the reconstituted 9. Volksgrenadier-Division, which took part in the Battle of the Bulge during late WWII, meaning there is a very good chance that Wehling took part! The Wound Badge is not included, but there is a very nice Iron Cross 2nd Class 1939 included, complete with its original ribbon and blue issue packet.
The centerpiece of this set is really Wehling's photo album, which is a military issued type, which has the German Reichskriegsflagge Battle standard on the front, with Wehrdienſt-Ehrendienſt ("Military Service & Honorary Service") over Erinnerungen an meine Dienſtzeit ("memories of my service). These are common phrases used on German military photo albums, and this example was published by Wilhelm Limpert-Verlag in Berlin, measuring about 8 3/4" x 12" with a 1 1/4" spine. The first pages start with pictures of important NSDAP figures and Generals, followed by a history of Germany and its armed forces.
This particular type of photo album would also often be customized to the unit it is for, and in this case there is a history of Die Nachrichtentruppe (The Signal Intelligence Corps), as well as a specific history of Die Panzer-Nachrichten-Abteilung 39 (Armored Signal Corps Detachment 39), the unit that Wehling was a part of during the early part of his military career. Following this is a page indicating that the album covers the period 1. 10. 1939 to 19. 2. 1945, and also indicates Wehlings rank progression.
The pages following this include pictures of Wehling at the various ranks he attained, and are followed by numerous photographs of himself and others during training and during the war time period. There are also a good amount of at ease pictures, taken when on leave. Some of the photos do have captions, but for the most part they do not, and we assume that the album was assembled during the later war period, or possibly when Wehling was being rehabilitated.
The grouping also includes the following items, which really help to flesh out the story behind the photo album:
- Wehling's Heer Army Soldbuch zugleich Personalausweis (Paybook and identity card), which is definitely well worn, held together with both paper and plastic tape. Issued 23. Sept 1938, it indicates his rank progression on Page 1, and the other pages of the book give details about his service. It does look like he was injured during his service, and spent a significant amount of time recuperating after his injury. There is also mention of the book of him being assigned to the Grenadier Regiment mentioned previously.
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- Wehling's Schießbuch (Shooting Qualification Book), for the years 38/39. Of interest is that the original pink cover had a blue cover folded over it, which gives his rank on the cover as:
Pz-Funker
Wehling
1. / Pz. R. 39
- Wehling's Militär=Führerſchein (Military Drivers License), issued 20. 12. 1938, when he was a member of 1. / Pz. N. A. 39. It indicates that he is qualified to drive Verbrennungsmaschine, or combustion engine vehicles. It has all the correct the correct issue stamps and signatures, and is made from gray oilcloth type material.
- Wehling's Wehrmacht=Fahrlehrerſchein (Armed Forces Driving Instructor's License), issued 21. Februar 1944. It indicates that he is qualified to instruct others in the driving of Verbrennungsmaschine, or combustion engine vehicles. It has all the correct the correct issue stamps and signatures, and is made from yellow oilcloth type material.
The last item in this set is a Beſcheinigung (Certification) dated 12. Dezember 1947, stamped at the bottom by the Amtsgericht (District Court) of Berlin-Charlottenburg, which we assume is Wehling's discharge from post war internment.
This is really a fantastic set, representing lots of research and translation potential. Ready to research and display!
- This product is available for international shipping. Shipping not available to: Australia, France, or Germany
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
- Due to legal restrictions this item cannot be shipped to Australia, France or Germany. This is not a comprehensive list and other countries may be added in the future.
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