Militaria

Wehrpass to Oswald Galla. He was born 24.2.1900 in Grünwald, Kreis Glatz, Schlesien. The Wehrpass was first filled 2.5.1938 at Neisse.

He was called up for military service on 2.8.1939 with 3./schwere Artillerie Abteilung 624 at Neisse. He served with this unit until 15.3.1941 when he transferred to Wehrkreis Ersatzdepot VIII, Personaldurchgangsstelle 4. On 21.9.1944 he was assigned to the Gau- und Siedlungshauptamt-44.

He was trained for the Karabiner 98k, Pistole 08, Gewehrgranatgerät and the 30.5 cm mortar. Within schwere Artillerie Abteilung 624 he served as a Kanonier, Richtkanonier and Rechnungsführer. He also attended a Rechnungsführer Lehrgang from 15.2.1940 until 17.2.1940.

He was promoted to Gefreiter der Landwehr 1.11.1939, Obergefreiter der Landwehr 1.9.1940 and Unteroffizier der Landwehr 1.3.1941. On 21.9.1944 he was transferred into the Waffen-SS as SS-Unterscharführer der Reserve and assigned to the SS Rasse- und Siedlungshauptamt (RuSHA). This organisation was responsible for racial and settlement matters within the SS. His exact duties within the organisation are not recorded.

He witnessed many actions starting with the invasion of Poland in September 1939, including fighting near Lublinitz. He then served on the Western Front from September 1939 until May 1940. During the invasion of the Netherlands he participated in the battle near Maastricht, crossing of the Maas, capture of Fort Lüttich, breakthrough of the Dyle position and the battle along the Scheldt. He subsequently fought in West Flanders, Lille, north of the Aisne, south of Abbeville, and during the pursuit through Champagne and across the Rhine-Marne Canal. His Wehrpass also records fighting in the Côte d’Or, securing the demarcation line and occupation duties in Burgundy and Champagne.

An interesting Wehrpass to a soldier of schwere Artillerie Abteilung 624 who participated in the invasions of Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium and France, and was later transferred into the Waffen-SS as SS-Unterscharführer der Reserve. The Wehrpass retains its original photograph and is accompanied by his Wehrpass-Notiz dated 30.4.1941.

Wehrpass to Walter Benkendörfer. He was born 29.7.1910 in Pforzheim. The Wehrpass was first filled 14.4.1938.

He enlisted 11.6.40 with Infanterie Nachrichten Ersatz Kompanie 215 at Brünn. He then transferred to Stabskompanie Infanterie Regiment 470 on 15.10.40 until 16.10.1941 when he transferred to Genesenden Kompanie Infanterie Ersatz Bataillon 470 until the end of the war.

He was trained for the K98, Fünkgeräte, Blinkgerät and the 1a Fernschreiber.

He was promoted to Oberschütze, Gefreiter 1.5.42, Obergefreiter 1.2.43 and Unteroffizier 1.5.43. He was awarded the Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwerter on 30.1.44.

He whitnessed many actions starting in 1941 when he guarded the Demarkationslinie followed with operation Barbarossa. He fought at Beresina, Dnjepr, Gomel, Kiev, Jelnja, Smolensk, Brjansk, Dessna, Moscow, Worowesch and the fortifications of Moscow.

Added is his award document for the KVK 2 and his Entlassungsschein.