KIA Wehrpass Oberleutnant – Grenadier-Regiment 156 (16. Infanterie-Division) (EK2, ISA)

An original German Wehrpass belonging to Karl Heinrich Menke, born 2 February 1916 in Düsseldorf-Mitte, Germany.

The Wehrpass was issued by the Wehrbezirkskommando Düsseldorf on 15 April 1936 and remains complete with its original portrait photograph, official stamps, promotion entries, training records, combat service, wound entry, and award recordings.

Before military service, Menke was employed in the commercial/industrial sector, with his civilian occupation recorded in the Wehrpass. The document follows his military career from his early training through frontline combat service during the Second World War.

His recorded military service includes postings with several infantry replacement and training formations, including:

• 1./Infanterie-Ersatz-Bataillon 60
• Infanterie-Schule (Infantry School)
• Grenadier-Regiment 156

His promotions recorded in the Wehrpass include:

• Unteroffizier der Reserve – 1 June 1938
• Feldwebel der Reserve – 1 April 1940
• Leutnant der Reserve – 1 June 1940
• Oberleutnant der Reserve – 1 June 1942

A particularly desirable feature of this Wehrpass is the recorded combat awards:

• Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse (Iron Cross 2nd Class) – awarded 10 August 1942
• Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber (Infantry Assault Badge in Silver) – awarded 25 August 1942
• Schießauszeichnung für Gewehr II. Klasse 1937/38

The Wehrpass further records that Menke was wounded in action on 20 November 1942 during the heavy fighting on the Eastern Front in the Orel (Orel/Orjol) sector, approximately 15 km northeast of Orel, suffering injuries during combat operations. This wartime wound is officially entered and confirmed within the document.

The Wehrpass contains numerous original unit stamps, signatures, training entries, promotion records, award entries, and combat-related annotations, making it an excellent researchable military document.

Condition is very good overall with honest signs of wartime use and age. The original photograph remains firmly attached, while all important pages are complete and well preserved.

A very attractive and desirable original Wehrpass belonging to a frontline German infantry officer, documenting steady promotion from NCO to Oberleutnant der Reserve, combat service on the Eastern Front, a documented battle wound near Orel, and the award of both the Iron Cross 2nd Class and the Infantry Assault Badge in Silver. An excellent and historically significant Wehrmacht personnel document for the advanced collector.