German helmet

Soldbuch to Hans Schühmacher serving with Füsilier Regiment 27, 12. Volks Grenadier Division at the end of the war fighting at Aachen, Hürtgenwald, Malmedy and Elsenborn.

The Soldbuch was first filled in 10.6.1941 enlisting with Schutzen Ersatz Kompanie 193. He was then drafted to Landesschützen-Bataillon 479 which was tasked guarding POW’s near Groß-Hesepe. After this he was sent to Infanterie Regiment 27, later to be renamed into Füsilier Regiment 27.

He was promoted to Oberschütze 1.2.42. He was promoted to Gefreiter on 1.3.42 and Obergefreiter on 1.1.44.

He was issued a number of interesting field gear items such as a Tarnnetz or helmet net, a sewing kit, a visor cap, a two piece reversible winter suit and Kopfhaube. He was armed with a K98.

He was wounded a number of times.
11.5.42 wound code –
26.12.43 wound code – Reserve Lazarett Königsberg.
13.1.44 wound code – Reserve Lazarett Brumat, Elsass
25.11.44 wound code 31b indicating shrapnel wounds. Reservelazarett Günzburg / Donau. He was probably wounded during the fighting in Aachen or the Hürtgenwald at this point.

He was awarded several awards;
20.2.42 Iron Cross second class when his unit was fighting between Olenin-Bjeloje
15.5.42 Wound badge in Black, same area
20.11.44 Infantry Assault Badge in Silver when his unit was fighting in Aachen or the Hürtgenwald

His unit was part of the 12. Volksgrenadier Division which saw a lot of action on the Western front from early october 1944 until the end of the war. The unit was first sent to defend Aachen and saw heavy fighting for the Hürtgenwald. Mid november the division saw heavy action at Stolberg, Hastenrath and Eschweiler which was his hometown and probably the area he was wounded as well. The division was then merged with the 47 Volksgrenadier Division because of heavy losses on 25.11.44. Two days later US troops breached the line near Inden. Late November they were pulled from the line near Merode and sent for rest and refit between Jülich and Düren. Starting 14.12.44 it was moved to Hallschlag and Scheidt in preparation for the Ardennes Offensive. The first line of troops consisted of Grenadier Regiment 48 and Füsilier Regiment 27. The offensive started from Losheimergraben and on 17.12.44 they started opening the road from Büllingen trough Bütgenbach to Malmedy. The attack stalled at Bütgenbach until the 25.12.44. The division was moved to Hierlot where it severed heavy losses in January 1945 consisting of only 600 battle ready troops. It was sent to the Rhine between Leverkusen and Knapsack. In march 1945 it was sent to the Remagen bridgehead and shortly after it capitulated to the American troops in the Ruhrkessel.

A interesting Soldbuch with a load of entries, great for research!