Soldbuch 15. Panzergrenadier Division – Afrika – Holland 1944 EK 2

Soldbuch to Unteroffizier Walther Rothengass

Rothengass was born in 1915 in Ersingen and was a Kaufman o/ salesman in daly life.

The Soldbuch was issued in 1939 with Grenz Infanterie Regiment 125 

The Grenz-Infanterie-Regiment 125 was formed on 10 November 1938 in Saarbrücken and was redesignated Infanterie-Regiment 125 when it was mobilized.

He was sent to Africa in October 1942, with the 15th Panzer Division, leaving after one month and arriving in Munich with dysentery.

After he was medically fit again he joined Kraftfahr ersatz Abteilung 12.

With the need for more fighting men he joined somewhere in mid 1944 Panzergrenadier Ausbildungs Battalion 115 and followed by Panzergrenadier Regiment 104 wich was part of the 15. Panzergrenadier Division. A control stamp on 15 confirms this.

At the end of July 1944, the 15. Panzergrenadier Division was withdrawn from the Italian front and transferred to OB West by rail transport.

In mid-August 1944, the division was assembled in the area south of Paris-Troyes. Defensive battles for Lusigny followed. As part of the defensive battle for Lorraine, the division fought in the area south-east of Verdun – north-east of St. Dizier – around Bar le Duc.

This was followed by defensive fighting west of the Moselle around Lunéville until September 1944.

At the end of October the Division together with the 9. Panzer Division were prepared for an attack with limit goals.

To relief the German troops who were fighting in west Brabant ( in the south of Holland)  an attack was launched on 27 October.

On 27 October, following the Battle of Overloon the 7th Armored Division held defensive positions along the line Nederweert and south to Meijel and Liesel. The Germans launched a two-division offensive (15. Pz.Gren.Div & 9. Pz.Div.) centered on Meijel, surprising the 87th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron of the 7th Armored Division nicknamed “The Lucky Seven” . However, the response by the 7th Armored and by the British VII Corps of Richard O'Connor stopped the German attack on the third day.

From 31 October to 8 November, the Germans were gradually driven out of the terrain that they had taken.

On 10 November 1944 he was awarded the EK 2 for bravery shown on the battlefield. Most probarly during the battles around Meijel.

In December 1944 the Division participated in the Ardennes battles around Bastogne.

As no other entries are listed after 10-11-1944 we can assume that he must have taken POW somewhere in the West or the Ardennes.

Used condition, all pages present but some are loose.

Not denaz. The cover has been taped.

code: B23238