German helmet

Soldbuch grouping to Unteroffizier Adolf Rotsch who served with Fallschirmjäger Regiment 13 during the Ardennes offensive.

A Soldbuch belonging to a Feldwebel who began his military career in December 1941 with the Flieger-Ausbildungs-Regiment 42, based in Frankfurt an der Oder. After completing his basic training, he was assigned to the Fliegerhorst Kompanie (e) 3/1, which was stationed in Brjansk, Russia, from 1941 until 1943. In 1943, he was awarded both the EK 2 and EK 1, an unusual achievement for a member of a Fliegerhorst Kompanie.

In April 1944, his unit was renamed Fliegerhorstkommandatur (e) 257 III. By October 1944, he was drafted into the Fallschirmjäger Ersatz und Ausbildungs Regiment 2. After a few weeks, he was sent to the 15./Fallschirmjäger Regiment 13, which was part of the 5th Fallschirmjäger Division. This division, rebuilt in Holland, was preparing for the “Wacht am Rhein” offensive, better known as the Battle of the Bulge.

On December 16, 1944, during the fighting in Luxembourg, between Stolzembourg and Vianden, the division was ordered to break through the lines near Vianden and Bette. Following an artillery bombardment in the early morning, the Fallschirm Pionier Battalion 5 constructed bridges over the Our River, allowing the 15th and 13th Fallschirmjäger Regiments to cross successfully. The town of Vianden itself was captured by the 4th company of the 5th Fallschirm Pionier Battalion under the command of Leutnant Hans Prigge, who later fell near Livarchamps, Belgium. Elements of the 14th Fallschirmjäger Regiment and the 11th Fallschirm Sturmgeschutz Brigade also crossed the Our River, reaching their objectives. The division achieved its goal of establishing a defensive line south of Bastogne.

However, by the end of December 1944, the U.S. Third Army, commanded by General Patton, broke through the division’s lines. In January 1945, the division was forced to retreat through Luxembourg and reached the village of Dasburg on the German side of the border by the end of the month.

On January 12, 1945, the Feldwebel was hospitalized at the Reserve Lazarett Jugenheim III for frostbite (wound code 33). After 1.5 months of recovery, he was promoted to Feldwebel. Shortly thereafter, he rejoined his unit, which continued to retreat towards the Harz region. The remnants of the 5th Fallschirmjäger Division were eventually captured by American forces. During the final battles, he was wounded by a bullet (wound code 31).

The Soldbuch is in good condition with no missing pages, though an award page seems to have been removed. It comes with a portrait photo showing his EK 1 award. His known awards include the Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2nd class with Swords, Wound Badge in Black, EK 2, and EK 1. It is likely that he received other awards, such as the Erdkampfabzeichen, but these cannot be confirmed.

Very hard to find original Fallschirmjäger Soldbuch with Ardennes references!