Soldbuch to Uffz. Karl Paülüs, Pz. Gren. Regt. 304, 2. Pz. Div. – Normandy, Ardennes, Hunsruck

Very interesting Soldbuch to Karl Paülüs, serving with Panzergrenadier Regiment 304 with the 2. Panzerdivision. The soldbuch was filled 26 august 1939 and is literally over filled with interesting entries. He first served with Infanterie Regiment 63 which took part in the Polish campaign under the 27. Infanterie Division. Later this unit invaded Belgium trough the Ardennes forest between St. Vith and Dinant (which he will later do again, in 1944!). The division took part in many French battles in Arras, Loire and La chapelle. He was later transferred to Panzergrenadier Regiment 304 fighting heavy battles near St. Lô, Argentan and Bernay. His unit was removed from the front line to rest at the Westwall until October 1944. Then the unit was prepared for the Ardennes offensive to attack trough the Ardennes forest near St. Vith again, just as he whitnessed in 1940. Interestingly his unit was the one to attack the 506 PIR of the 101st Airborne Division in Noville and later attacking Bastogne.

He was issued a whole arrae of armament troughout his service to include a K98, G41, MP40, Mauser 6,35 pistol, P08 Luger and a bayonet. He was also issued binoculars, marching compass, entrenching tool, RG34, gasmask and at some point a bicycle.

He was wounded three times. In 1940 he was woundewd in France, in June 1944 he was wounded in Normandy. In January 1945 he was wounded in the Ardennes.
He was awarded the Sudetenmedaille, Verwundetenabzeichen Silber, EKII, Schützenschnür, Winterschlacht im Osten.

This is a very impressive and obviously combat worn Soldbuch which was issued in 1939 and was still carried in 1945. It surely whitnessed many interesting battles ranging from the Invasion of Poland, Belgium and France. Later fighting in Greece, Yugoslavia. Then sent to the eastern front in October 1941 fighting at Moscow. In 1944 his unit played a important role in the battle for Normandy and the Ardennes offensive.

This is truly a interesting time capsule worthy of further research. For me it’s the first time to have such a long lasting Soldbuch with that many tracable and important battles with MANY interesting entries!