german military documents 1900-1945

[Friedrich]

While I was cleaning my house, I found a nice piece of history from my grandfather and great-grandfather. Both were born in Duisburg.
Have fun while reading! (Note: there are some swastikas in the historical documents, bear in mind this is only for informational use, not showing any brown attitude)

(Prussian) Military Pass of my great-grandfather (born 1879) from 1898, he served in the 1st Company of the 2nd Jäger-Bataillon:

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His military career ended in 1906, when he was moved to the Landwehr. But later he was reactivated in 1917 for the Great War. He was demobilized on the 30th of November 1918 as this document shows:

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After the war (1920) he was rewarded for his engagement in the 1st World War:

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And again in the 3rd Reich (notable is the stamp, as you can see the prussian eagle changed compared to 1920):

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My Grandfather (born 1906) entered in military service in the Wehrmacht 3rd of March 1943.
Military Pass:

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Units in which he served (note: he added later by himself his POW time):

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On the 1st of March 1945 he got rewarded with the "Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2ter Klasse mit Schwertern":

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But 15 days later he got captured and became POW by US-Army:

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Maybe interesting to some, he was after the war attestet beeing not a nazi (Denazification):

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[Archduke Sven]

Nice documents in really good condition aswell, it was nice reading it!

[John Price]

Very interesting friedrich, a great bit of history you have their and in your family. - Chriseh

[Turin Turambar]

Hm, maybe I'll take some photos when I visit my father the next time. There aren't many documents but stuff like Iron Crosses and I think also some Austrian decorations.

[Friedrich]

I didn't make any photos of the Iron Cross and that stuff, because medals everyone can show. You also can buy that on ebay. My intention was to show some documents. Most were burned in or after the war or got lost over the time (these god damn paperstuff, who needs it?). So imo it's more unique than some metal stuff. 

[MrSt3fan]

Very nice documents indeed ! Very interesting to read

[kpetschulat]

This was awesome to read, Friedrich. Thanks for sharing!

My Great-Grandfather (Father's Father's Father) served in WW1 (was highly decorated) and fought and died in WW2. Unfortunately, my Grandfather (Father's Father) was ashamed of my Great-Gradnfather and sold or burned practically everything that had to do with him, both military and personal. To this day, I only retain his bayonet (Which I use for reenacting), but my Uncle (Father's Brother) has my Great-Grandfather's Fallschirmjaeger smock (severely damaged) and his boots (damaged). It's a shame, because my Great-Grandfather seemed to be such a great man an an excellent soldier. I would have loved to learn more about him, but I have nothing to go off of and my Grandfather refuses to talk about him.

[Bruin]

My Great Great Grandfather fought in World War I with the Austrian-Hungary's under one of the Czechoslovakian Regiments. I believe he was in the Serbian Campaign but I could be wrong.

[DeoVindice61]

Fascinating documents! Make me wonder if my Great Grandfather who served in Kriegsmarine have any document left back home in Germany. Thank you for sharing!