Soldbuch 17. LW Feld Division France 1944 + 167. VGD Ardennes

Second issue Soldbuch with removed pricture to Obergefreiter Groll.

In dailylife Groll was a bookbinder.

The second issue Soldbuch opens at 11 September 1944 by 1.Genesenden Kompanie Grenadier ersatz Battalion 62.
He must have lost his previous Soldbuch in France.

On page 1 we can see that his dog tag or erkennungsmarke was issued by 3./Luftwaffe Jager Regiment 34 wich was part of the 17. Luftwaffe Field Division.

The Division fought in the Rouen area trying to block the Allied advance towards the Seine.

On the morning of 27 August the infantry of the 4th Division began to cross the Seine, using stormboats, to develop the small bridgehead already held by The Lincoln and Welland Regiment opposite Criquebeuf.
The 10th Infantry Brigade met heavy opposition and suffered severe casualties in attempting to enlarge this, and failed to capture the high ground north of Sottevillesous-le-Val and Igoville during the day.
It was evident that the Germans-here, the 17th Luftwaffe Field Division intended to do their utmost to block any advance on Rouen from this direction. The intention of putting the 4th Division's armoured brigade across the river in this area was abandoned, and on 28 August it crossed at Elbeuf, where there was a more secure bridgehead.

(info taken from; www.canadiansoldiers.com)

For bravery shown on the battlefield he was awarded the Iron Cross second Class or EK 2 on 9-11-1944 by the commander of the 17. Luftwaffe Feld Division. (page 22)

Aftre being recovered he became part of Volksgrenadier Regiment 331 of the 167. Volksgrenadier Division.

On 12 December 1944 he was issued an P38 pistol and a shovel.

As no othet weapons where issued it is possible that he carying a small weapon he was an MG gunner within the 3. Kompanie.

On 30 December 1944 the Division had the task togheter with a Kampfgruppe of the SS Leibstandarte and elements of Fallschirmjager Regiment 14 to attack the Allied corridor to Bastogne.

In the area of Lutrebois - Villers-la-Bonne-Eau - Harlange it was involved in heavy fightings.

Somewhere during the battles in the Ardennes he must have been taken POW.

Good used condition, photo is missing.

code: D26387