Soldbuch Obergefreiter – Nachschub-Bataillon 612 – Missing at Le Château-Charleville, August 1944 – Ostmedaille & KVK2
Interesting and historically attractive WW2 German Soldbuch belonging to Obergefreiter Paul Artelt, who served with Nachschub-Bataillon 612 and later went missing in August 1944 during the fighting around Le Château-Charleville.
A very nice mid- to late-war Soldbuch with numerous unit entries, leave stamps, weapon issue entries, accompanying Feldpost envelope and handwritten notification letter regarding his disappearance.
Soldier Details
- Name: Paul Artelt
- Born: 11 October 1905
- Birthplace: Altkessel-Graeberei
- Profession: Kutscher
- Religion: Catholic
- Rank progression:
- Schütze
- Gefreiter
- Obergefreiter (from 1.2.1944)
Units
The Soldbuch shows service with:
- 1. Kompanie / Infanterie-Ersatz-Bataillon 375
- Nachschub-Bataillon 612
The Soldbuch contains:
- multiple leave entries
- weapon issue pages
- hospital/lazarett-related stamps
- Feldpost envelope
- handwritten wartime/postwar correspondence concerning his disappearance
Awards
- 10.8.42 Ostmedaille (Eastern Front Medal / Winterschlacht im Osten)
- 1.6.44 Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse (KVK2)
A very desirable combination for a logistics/supply soldier serving under difficult Eastern Front and later Western Front conditions.
Missing in Action – August 1944
The most historically significant aspect of the grouping is the included handwritten correspondence mentioning that Artelt went missing in:
- Le Château-Charleville
- in August 1944
This places him during the chaotic German retreat after the Allied breakout from Normandy and the collapse of the front in France.
Supply and transport battalions such as Nachschub-Bataillon 612 were heavily exposed during this period, often caught in encirclements, strafing attacks and rapidly collapsing retreat routes.
The included handwritten letter gives the grouping strong personal and research potential.
Included in the Grouping
- Original Soldbuch
- Feldpost envelope addressed to his wife
- Period “Kraft durch Freude” ship dining card
€165,00
In stock
In stock
Details
Statement
Wolfgang Historica is a trusted seller with years of experience and consistently positive reviews. We are always interested in purchasing collections or unique objects and also offer a professional consignment service. Buy with confidence.
Historical Description
This Soldbuch belonged to Obergefreiter Paul Artelt, a German Army soldier who initially trained with Infanterie-Ersatz-Bataillon 375 before later serving with Nachschub-Bataillon 612.
As a member of a supply battalion, Artelt would have been responsible for the transport of ammunition, equipment, food and logistical support to frontline troops. Such units were essential to maintaining combat effectiveness but became extremely vulnerable during retreats and mobile warfare.
The Soldbuch records a typical wartime progression through the ranks and includes numerous administrative entries, leave stamps and equipment issue records. Particularly attractive are the documented awards of the Ostmedaille and Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse, reflecting service under difficult wartime conditions.
The most compelling aspect of the grouping is the included handwritten correspondence indicating that Artelt went missing around Le Château-Charleville in August 1944, during the catastrophic German retreat through France following the Allied breakout from Normandy.
A very personal and historically evocative Soldbuch grouping to a soldier who disappeared during the final collapse of the German western front in 1944.
