Wehrpass & Award Document Group – Hauptmann d.R. Walter Ruhnke, Infanterie-Regiment 488

A highly interesting original Wehrmacht officer grouping belonging to Hauptmann der Reserve Walter Ruhnke, commander of III./ Infanterie-Regiment 488, with his original Wehrpass & 3 award documents, including the Spangen zum Eisernen Kreuz 1. und 2. Klasse and a Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz for second wound!

The Wehrpass

The original Wehrpass contains a wealth of personal and military information on Hauptmann d.R. Walter Ruhnke. The pass includes an original mounted portrait photograph, his handwritten signature and extensive service entries. Of particular interest are the entries concerning his service with Infanterie-Regiment 488, part of the 268. Infanterie-Division. The regiment was formed in August 1939 and served throughout the war with the 268. Infanterie-Division. In 1941 the division took part in the opening of Operation Barbarossa, advancing through the Białystok–Minsk area, Smolensk, the Jelnya area and the fighting around Vyazma before continuing toward the Tula sector.

The Wehrpass contains numerous period entries for:

• Military service and unit assignments
• Promotions and appointments
• Training
• Decorations and awards
• Combat participation
• Transfer and reserve entries
• His eventual wartime service with III./ Infanterie-Regiment 488

The pages concerning promotions and appointments are particularly useful for reconstructing Ruhnke’s career as an officer.

Accompanying the Wehrpass is the original award certificate for Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz 2. Klasse. Hauptmann Walter Ruhnke, Stab III./J.R. 488 awarded the Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz 2. Klasse on 4 September 1941.

The certificate is signed by Generalleutnant und Divisionskommandeur Erich Straube, commander of the 268. Infanterie-Division at this time. Straube commanded the division from its formation until January 1942 and had been promoted to Generalleutnant on 1 June 1941.

Importantly, this is the Spange (1939 Wiederholungsspange) to the 1914 Iron Cross, indicating that Ruhnke was a veteran of the First World War and had already possessed the corresponding 1914 Iron Cross.

Also included is the corresponding original certificate for the Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz 1. Klasse earned on 12 October 1941. Again signed by Generalleutnant Erich Straube, as commander of the 268. Infanterie-Division.

This makes the pair especially attractive: Ruhnke received both the EK II Spange and EK I Spange during the 1941 Eastern Front campaign.

A further original Besitzzeugnis records that Hauptmann d.R. Walter Ruhnke, III./J.R. 488 was awarded the Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz on the basis of second wound sustained on 12 September 1941. The award was issued at Div.-Gef.-Stand, 2 October 1941 and is signed by an Oberst und Regimentskommandeur.

Eastern Front service

The dates of the decorations are particularly significant. Ruhnke’s Spange zum EK II on 4 September 1941, his two wounds on 12 September 1941, and his Spange zum EK I on 12 October 1941 all fall during the 268. Infanterie-Division’s intense fighting on the Eastern Front.

The division fought through Białystok-Minsk, Smolensk and the Jelnya area, subsequently participating in the fighting around Vyazma and advancing toward the Tula sector.

This gives the grouping a very strong combat-history connection, rather than merely representing routine administrative documents.