Wehrpaß of Erich Weidner

Wehrpaß of Erich Weidner

This is an early war Wehrpaß for a soldier with the rank of Obergefreiter (Private First Class) in the German 3rd Army 11th Infantry Division. He was a conscript who was born to a ethnically German family in Nieder-Ullersdorf (Dolní Oldřiš). This was part of the Sudetenland that was annexed by Germany under the 1938 Munich agreement. He was involved in the invasion of Poland, the invasion of the Netherlands, the battle of Dunkirk, and the battle for France. He was killed at 28 years old during the invasion of Russia under operation Barbarossa. The report from the Volksbund indicates that he died somewhere near Newel which may be the Russian town of Nevel. His remains are believed to be buried in the war cemetery in Sebezh, Russia.

Translation of military service pages 32 and 33 below:

"IV. Aktiver Wehrdienst" – IV. Active Military Service

Section Header:
"Im Kriege mitgemachte Gefechte, Schlachten, Unternehmungen"
(Battles, engagements, and operations participated in during the war)

Date Operation / Battle Description
1.9.–2.9.1939 Fighting around the Liswarta River
2.9.–4.9.1939 Fighting around the Warta Line
3.9.1939 Capture of Częstochowa
10.9.–12.9.1939 Fighting around Radom
10.9.–20.9.1939 Pursuit battles over the Vistula River
18.9.1939 Capture of Lublin
20.9.1939 Engagements on the Wieprz River

Additional Notes (Red Text):
"Sicherung der deutschen Westgrenze"
Securing the German western border

1940 Campaigns:

A. Breakthrough battle to the English Channel

Date Description
10.5.1940 Battle at Maastricht – Crossing the Meuse River in the West Maas section
11.–13.5. Pursuit battles in East Belgium and across the Albert Canal
12.5. Fighting on the Albert Canal near Zummen and Hasselt
13.–14.5. Crossing over the Gette River
a) Breakthrough to Haelen – Tienen
b) Fighting for the canal crossing
14.–15.5. Breakthrough through the Dyle position
a) Capture of Louvain
b) Capture of Brussels
17./18.5. [Continued operations]

Right Page (Page 33)
Date Operation Description
18.–19.5.1940 Pursuit battles over the Senette and Dendre Rivers
20.–23.5. B. Battle in Flanders and Artois
22.5. Battle on the Schelde River – breakthrough at Waremmade & Ruyen
24.5. Crossing of the Lys at Harlebeke
25.–26.5. Fighting in West Flanders and Lille region
a) Attack near Ledeghem and Dadizele
27.5. b) Assault on the heights of Passchendaele
29.5. c) Attack through the Ypres Valley
31.5.–4.6. 4. Battle at Dunkirk

Additional Operations:

C. Deployed in the operational area during the battle in France

D. Occupation of Northwest France

E. Occupation force in France