Heer Wehrpass Infantry - WIA Eastern Front 2 Awards

[turtle]

Otto Fischer was born on the 29.11.1906 in Neustein / Posen (german until 1918, then polish until 1939). He was a railway worker. In February 1943 he was called up for service and posted to the eastern front, where he was wounded after only a few weeks of service, after recovering from his wound he was released in May 1944.

His units:

06.02.1943: Stammkompanie Landes–Schützen–Ersatz–Bataillon 2

18.02.1943: 2./ Landes–Schützen–Ausbildungs–Bataillon 2

31.03.1943: Stammkompanie Landes–Schützen–Ersatz–Bataillon 2

03.04.1943: Marsch–Kompanie Grenadier–Ersatz–Bataillon 368

24.04.1943: Marsch–Bataillon 302/1

05.05.1943: 2./ Feld–Ersatz–Bataillon 302

04.06.1943: 1./ Grenadier–Regiment 572

01.10.1943: Genesenden–Kompanie Grenadier–Ersatz–Bataillon 373

15.05.1944: Heeresentlassungsstelle 1/XXI Posen

[turtle]

He was trained with Gewehr 98, Gewehr 301(f) (this is the former french Lebel M86/93), MG 26(t) and MG 34.

For his serious wound he received the full "package" of awards and other recognitions: a promotion to Gefreiter effective 01.07.1943, the Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber on 14.07.1943, and an Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse on 02.11.1943.

Edited November 23, 2013 by turtle

[turtle]

Unfortunately the clerk missed to specify the combat operation he was wounded in.

Although Otto Fischer was scarred by the war, he was, most probably, still lucky, because Grenadier Regiment 572 was wiped out in August 1944 during the soviet summer offensive.

Edited November 23, 2013 by turtle

[hucks216]

Nice example. Chances are that he suffered such a wounding that a limb had to be amputated. The shortest time span I have ever seen between someone joining their first front line unit and being killed is just 2 days but even with 3 months you have to wonder if anyone had bothered to get to know him at all?

[turtle]

Good question! His frontline service lasted for only around 4 weeks, then he was wounded and (most probably) send to some rear area hospital and stayed only on paper with his front line unit.

[turtle]

I also have his medals:

[hucks216]

I also have his medals:

Probably not the way he thought (or hoped) he would end up earning an Iron Cross!

[Chris Boonzaier]

Probably not the way he thought (or hoped) he would end up earning an Iron Cross!

When you know your unit is going to be wiped out... best thing to do is to leg it!! ;-)

[turtle]

Probably not the way he thought (or hoped) he would end up earning an Iron Cross!

I second that! But in my humble opinion it´s still better to lose a leg than your life. Of course getting out unscratched is always the way to prefer!!!!

[turtle]

Does anybody else own a Wehrpass with traning entries for captured weapons (e.g. french rifles, dutch pistols, russian smg ....)

[turtle]

Does anybody else own a Wehrpass with traning entries for captured weapons (e.g. french rifles, dutch pistols, russian smg ....)

Nobody?

[Chris Boonzaier]

I have had in the past with captured pistols, and i am sure rifles that were officially issued, like old french ones were entered as well.

best

Chris