Soldbuch to Harm Thürkow, Pz. Gr. Rgt. 10, 9 Pz. Div.

Soldbuch to Gefreiter Harm Thürkow, Pz. Gr. Rgt. 10, 9 Pz. Div..

The Soldbuch was filled in when he drafted with 3. Panzerjäger Ersatz Abteilung 20. He was then first sent to Panzerjäger Abteilung 251 which was part of the 251. Infanterie Division. After this he was sent to Panzer Grenadier Regiment 10 serving under the 9. Panzerdivision. Then he was sent to Panzergrenadier Feld Ersatz Batalion 33 and lastly fighting with Panzer Grenadier Regiment 115 with the 15. Panzergrenadier Division.

He was promoted to Gefreiter 1.10.42.

He was issued a number of interesting items including a helmet net and various winter clothing.

He was wounded a number of times.
14.3.42 wound code – Kriegslazarett Pulawy
20.3.42 wound code – Reserve Lazaret Malchin
9.12.42 wound code – Reserve Lazarett II, Radom
5.2.43 wound code – wounded on ankle – Teillazarett Schulle Hellbrand
14.5.43 wound code 31b indicating shrapnel wounds – Reserve Lazarett Pinneberg

He was awarded the following awards;
18.12.41 Iron Cross second class
24.7.42 Wound badge in black
29.8.42 Eastern front medal

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He was sent on a short Furlough 26.7.44 whilst serving with Panzer Grenadier Ersatz u. Ausbildungs abteilung 10. This was after the first battles in Normandy which he was probably wounded at again and thus sent back. The 9. Panzerdivision fought in heavy battles with the Americans in Normandy near Alencon. After Normandy the unit was decimated and sent back for rest and refit near Lothringen. In September it was moved near Arnhem where it fought at Elst. After that it retreated near Xanten and then attacked towards Venlo and Sittard between 27 and 30 October. After this it was sent to take part in the Ardennes offensive fighting for Longchamps and Donschaps. After that it fought near Prüm, Eifel, Erkelenz, Köln. The unit was destroyed in April 1945.

At some point he was transfered to Panzer Grenadier Regiment 115. But I am unable to find out at what date exactly. This unit fought with the 15. Panzergrenadier Division which fought in Northern France near Lothringen and St. Dizier. Later at Mosel and Luneville. and was stationed as a defence unit on the Westwall at Saar Riegel. In december 1944 it was also part of the southern flank of the Ardennes Offensive. It later fought in the southern Eifel. Early March 1945 it was fighting for Roermond, Gennep and later Kleve and the Reichswald. Mid march it fought at Emmerich and Dinslaken. It was then taken prisoner by the British troops.

Considering his 1948 Discharge papers are British in the Transit Camp Munsterlager which is correct with his final field unit.

This is a very nice Soldbuch which has loads of areas for further research and is part of interesting Normandy and Ardennes units!