KIA Wehrpass – Artillerie-Regiment 208 (208. Infanterie-Division) (EK2, VWA, WIO)

An original WWII German Wehrpass issued to Gefreiter Hans Johann Wilhelm Pörtner, born 3 August 1913 in Nauenscheid, Germany.

The Wehrpass was issued by Wehrbezirkskommando Berlin VII on 15 April 1936 and contains the original portrait photograph of the soldier along with numerous official wartime entries documenting his combat service on the Eastern Front.

Before entering military service, Pörtner worked as a glazier (Glaser).

Military Service

The Wehrpass records service with:

• 2. Batterie/ Artillerie-Ersatz-Abteilung 208
• 8. Batterie/ Artillerie-Regiment 208

He served with Artillerie-Regiment 208 of the 208. Infanterie-Division, a unit heavily engaged during the German campaigns on the Eastern Front.

Promotions

Recorded promotions include:

• Gefreiter
• Unteroffizier

Decorations

Officially entered awards include:

• Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42 (Ostmedaille) – awarded 7 August 1942
• Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (Black Wounde Badge0 – entered 12 March 1943
• Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse (Iron Cross 2nd Class) – awarded 28 July 1943

The award of the Iron Cross 2nd Class indicates bravery in combat and makes this Wehrpass particularly desirable.

Combat Service

The Wehrpass contains an extensive record of operations, including:

• Border security duties on the French frontier
• Occupation service in Northern France
• Winter campaign on the Eastern Front (1941–1942)
• Defensive fighting around Ostrozhsk
• Combat in the Army Group Centre sector
• Numerous artillery engagements throughout 1942

Killed in Action

A final entry records that Hans Pörtner was killed in action on 13 October 1943 near Demidov (Russia)

Condition

The Wehrpass remains in very good original condition with its period portrait photograph intact. It contains numerous official stamps, signatures, promotion entries, campaign records, award entries, and the final killed-in-action notation.

A highly attractive and fully documented Eastern Front combat Wehrpass belonging to a soldier of Artillerie-Regiment 208, awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class, Eastern Front Medal, and West Wall Medal, and ultimately killed in action near Demidov in October 1943. An excellent and researchable original document for collectors of Wehrmacht and Eastern Front history.