Nahkampfspange Soldbuch grouping Paul Pützer, Grenadier-Regiment 453 and 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division

Very interesting Soldbuch to Paul Pützer, serving with Grenadier-Regiment 453 and later the 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division. The soldbuch was issued on 4 October 1940 and is over filled with interesting entries. He first served with the 2. Kompanie Infanterie-Ersatz-Bataillon 58. Over the years he rose steadiy through the ranks, starting as a Schütze to Gefreiter on 1 March 1942, Obergefreiter on 1 November 1942, and finally to Unteroffizier on 1 July 1943.

He was later transfered to the 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division and was eventually discharged on 16 April 1945 by order of the division. Throughout his long service he was issued a whole arrae of armament to include various rifles (serial numbers 6946, 3340, and 46632) and a size 2 gasmask.

His medical history shows spending significant time in various hospitals during 1944, including Reserve-Lazarett I Brieg and facilities in Schreiberhau and Breslau. Because he was away for medical reasons, he often had to get replacement clothing and equipment. He was issued an “iron portion” (emergency rations) in Aachen in August 1944.

He was awarded a high number of prestigious decorations to include the Iron Cross first and second class, Infantry Assault Badge, Close Combat Clasp in Bronze, and the Wound Badge. These awards prove he was a hardened veteran of many close-quarters battles. His identity disc (Erkennungsmarke) corresponds to his initial training unit, 2./Inf. Ers. Batl. 58, with the roster number 1119.

The Bronze Nahkampfspange by C.E. Juncker is missing its needle. The infantry assault badge is made by Assmann. The Iron Cross first class is a typical example by Deumer.

This is a very impressive and obviously combat worn Soldbuch grouping which was issued in 1940 and was still carried in 1945. It surely whitnessed many interesting battles ranging from the eastern front to service on the west with the 2. Fallschirmjäger Division at the end. This is truly a interesting time capsule worthy of further research, belonging to a former waiter from Cologne who stayed in the fight until the very end!