Wehrpass IR377 – 225. ID Holland – Belgium Vinkt Massacre

First issue Wehrpass with photo to Gefreiten der Reserve Tiedemann.

Units

- Infanterie ersatz Battalion 376

- 14. (Panzer Abwehr) Kompanie Infanterie Regiment 377

This unit was part of the 225. Infanterie Division wich took part in Operation Fall Gelb on 10 May 1940.

The 225. Infanterie Infantry Division was sent to Aachen and used for border guard duty while the bulk of German forces focussed on the Invasion of Poland.

After the German victory in Poland, the 225. Infanterie Division saw action in the western campaign specifically in the invasion of the Netherlands. The division crossed the Dutch - German border near Kranenburg - Nijmegen - Mook heading towards the Peel-Raam stellung, Tilburg - Roosendaal.

In late May, the 225. Infanterie Division was involved in combat in Belgium, during the fighting along the Lys. On 25 May 1940, soldiers of the 377. Infanterie Regiment carried out the Vinkt Massacre taking 140 Belgian civilians hostage and using them as human shields, resulting in dozens of deaths. On May 27th, frustrated by the Belgian Chasseur Ardennais refusal to surrender and believing they had been fired on by local partisans, the German soldiers began to execute their civilian hostages, only four survived.

The massacre is one of many warcrimes carried out during the 1940 campaign by the German Wehrmacht. After the German victory in the west, the 225. Infanterie Division remained on occupation duty until the end of 1941.

From 24 Oktober 1940 untill 27 Januari 1942 he was send home for Arbeits einsatz. (Labor duty)

He got trained at

- K98

- 3,7 cm Pak

Good used condition, complete with all pages.

code: D26382