KIA Wehrpass & Award Docs – Infanterie-Regiment 470 & Werfer-Batterie/ Artillerie-Regiment 9

Offered is an exceptional original grouping belonging to Wachtmeister Hans Engelhardt, born 4 July 1912 in Heilbronn am Neckar. The centerpiece is his original Wehrpass with mounted portrait photograph and handwritten signature, accompanied by original award documents and a period Wehrmeldeamt memorial document.

His Wehrpass provides an unusually detailed record of his military career, including service with Infanterie-Regiment 470 and later 8./Artillerie-Regiment 9. Particularly interesting is his specialist training and qualification as a Werferführer, Zugführer and Batterie-Offizier, documenting his experience and responsibilities within the German Werfer arm.

His service record covers the Polish Campaign of 1939, the Western Campaign of 1940, and extensive combat service on the Eastern Front. The combat entries include the breakthrough on the Aisne Front, the advance through Luxembourg, Belgium and northern France, and later operations in southern Russia, including the advance toward Rostov and Bataisk, the pursuit across the lower Don and Kuban, the advance through the western Caucasus and fighting around the Kuban bridgehead.

Of particular interest is his later service with 8./Artillerie-Regiment 9. Following the regiment’s reorganisation on 19 May 1942, two Werfer batteries from Werfer-Ersatz-Abteilung 11 in Münster were incorporated into Artillerie-Regiment 9 as its new 7. and 8. Batteries. Engelhardt subsequently served with 8./Artillerie-Regiment 9, while his Wehrpass records specialist qualifications as Werferführer, Zugführer and Batterie-Offizier. This gives the grouping an especially interesting connection to the German Werfer/Nebelwerfer arm, combined with documented frontline service.

The Wehrpass further records a notable series of decorations, including the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse, Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber, Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse, Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz and Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber. The combination of these awards, his specialist Werfer qualifications and his extensive combat history makes the Wehrpass particularly rewarding to study.

Tragically, Engelhardt was ultimately killed in action, with the Wehrpass recording Granatsplitter in der Brust – a shrapnel fragment wound to the chest. The accompanying “Zum bleibenden Andenken” document issued by the Wehrmeldeamt Heilbronn in February 1944 provides a directly connected contemporary memorial document and adds a particularly personal dimension to the grouping.

Award documents

Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

The original Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse certificate was awarded to Unteroffizier Hans Engelhardt of 12./J.R. 470, dated 21 August 1941 at the Divisional Command Post. The certificate bears the original period divisional stamp and the signature of the divisional commander. This award corresponds directly with the Wehrpass entry and documents Engelhardt’s service during the opening phase of the German campaign in the East.

Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber

The original Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber certificate was awarded to Unteroffizier Hans Engelhardt of 12./J.R. 470 at the Regiments-Gefechtsstand on 18 September 1941. It bears the original regimental stamp and is signed by the Major und Regimentsführer. Together with the EK II certificate and the detailed combat entries in the Wehrpass, this document provides strong evidence of Engelhardt’s active frontline service during the 1941 campaign.

Wehrmeldeamt Memorial Document

Also included is the original “Zum bleibenden Andenken” memorial document issued by the Wehrmeldeamt Heilbronn, dated 2 February 1944, commemorating Wachtmeister Hans Engelhardt, geboren am 4.7.12. The document states that Engelhardt had died in the fulfilment of his duties and was sent to Herrn Johann Engelhardt, Heilbronn a.N. It carries the original Wehrmeldeamt Heilbronn stamp and the signature of a Hauptmann. As a contemporary official memorial document directly connected to the named Wehrpass, it adds a very personal and historically significant element to the grouping.