Soldbuch & Personalausweis – Grenadier-Regiment 338 & 309 – 208. Infanterie-Division (EK2, VWA & ISA)

An interesting original Second World War German military grouping belonging to Sanitäts-Stabsgefreiter Alfred Stecker, comprising his Soldbuch (pay book and military identity document) and accompanying Personalausweis (personal identity document).

The Soldbuch is an Ersatz-Soldbuch, a replacement issue, bearing the entry for its issue in 1943 (all awards were earned after issueing, so that’s positive!). It retains Stecker’s photograph, handwritten personal details, unit entries, official stamps and service annotations, providing a documented record of his military service.

Military service

Stecker served with several units during the war, including:

• 2./Grenadier-Ersatz-Bataillon 104, Landau in der Pfalz.
• Grenadier-Regiment 338.
• Grenadier-Regiment 309.
• Sanitäts-Abteilung 208, associated with the 208. Infanterie-Division.

His records document service in the infantry and medical service, with unit transfers and administrative entries preserved in the original booklet.

Wound and decorations

The Soldbuch records a wound sustained in July 1944, described as involving multiple shell fragments (Granatsplitter).

The following decorations are recorded:

• Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse (Iron Cross 2nd Class), dated 24 September 1944, with an entry indicating the 75. Infanterie-Division.
• Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (Wound Badge in Black), dated 22 October 1944.
• Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber (Infantry Assault Badge in Silver), dated 25 October 1944.

The closely dated award entries from September and October 1944 make this an interesting document group for collectors of late-war German military service records and combat awards.

Condition

The Soldbuch shows age-related toning, foxing, staining, worn edges and creasing to the pages. The cover exhibits considerable wear, particularly along the spine. The original photographs, handwritten entries, unit stamps and administrative annotations remain present.