Soldbuch Belgium 1940 – Russia – 560. VGD Ardennes 1944

Second issue Soldbuch with removed photo to Unteroffizier Peters.

The second issue opens at 10 May 1944 by 13. (i.g.) Kp. Grenadier Regiment 469.

The Close combat days and assault days on page 21 reveals that he had taken part in Operation Fall Gelb in May 1940 and was involved in 1 close combat day on 16 May 1940 in Boignee, Belgium. (north-east of Charleroi)

The other 2 dates listed are;

- Mosteickiai, 23-6-1941

- Nord-east Makarjewska, 28-3-1942

On the second paper 2 Assault days are listed wich resulted in being awarded the Infanterie Sturmabzeichen in Silver.

Awards

- Ostmedaille

- EK 2

- Infanterie Sturmabzeichen

Somewhere during Autumn 1944 he became part of the 13. Kompanie of Grenadier Regiment 1128 of the 560. Volksgrenadier Division.

The 13. Kompanie was most likely the Schwere Kompanie or the Infanterie Geschutz Kompanie.

History
Formed as part of Himmler’s ‘Replacement Army’ in August 1944, 560. Volksgrenadierdivision obtained its personnel from various Luftwaffe and Heer units stationed around Norway and Denmark. They all came together at Moss, in Northern Norway, and were ready to be sent to the front in October 1944.

It was committed to the Ardennes on 16 December 1944, but was under-strength due to many of its personnel being still on route from Norway. Each regiment could only field about a battalion in the field and it lacked its assault guns.
Even its commander was in hospital for the first 10 days of the battle and the division was commanded by one of its regimental commanders, Oberst Rudolf Langhaüser.  Langhaüser, on the return of the commander Generalmajor Rudolf Bader, must have proved himself because he took over command of 12. Volksgrenadierdivision on 26 December after its commander, Gerhaed Engel, had been wounded fighting on the Elsenborn ridge.

During his command of 560. VGD, Langhaüser had led them with skill and determination breaking through the lines of the US 28th Infantry Division’s 110th and 112th Regiments at Sevenig and Heinerscheid. They had reached Houffalize before encountering stiffening resistance west of St. Vith. They eventually were forced back to Houffalize.

The US counter offensive hit them on 3 January 1945 and they continued to fighting around the St. Vith sector, with more of their men finally arriving from Norway. They fought at Echternach in February, before falling back over the river Pruem.

He was taken POW mostlikely during or shortly after the Ardennes offensive.

He received an P38 pistol.

Used condition, complete with all pages and some stains.
Although the missing photo still an very interresting Soldbuch of an East- and Westfront veteran.

code: D26379