KIA Wehrpass, Award Docs & Photos – Infanterie-Regiment 50 (111. Infanterie-Division)

A very attractive and highly personal original Wehrmacht grouping belonging to Obergefreiter Willi Heimann, born 3 February 1922, comprising his original Wehrpass, award documents, several original wartime photographs and a period memorial/death notice.

The Wehrpass

The original Wehrpass is exceptionally well preserved in terms of its contents and provides a substantial record of Heimann’s military service.

The personal section contains his photograph, handwritten signature and personal details, identifying him as Willi Heimann, born in 1922 and originating from the Hildesheim area.

The service pages document his wartime career with units of Infanterie-Regiment 50, including service with the regiment during the campaigns of 1942–43. The Wehrpass contains numerous official entries, stamps and signatures and, importantly, records both his combat service and several wounds.

The combat section records participation in fighting during 1942–43, while the medical section records multiple shrapnel wounds, including wounds to the arm and upper thigh.

Awards recorded in the Wehrpass

Among the decorations recorded are:

• Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz – 15 September 1942
• Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse – 14 October 1942
• Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen – 25 April 1943
• Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber – 28 April 1942

The accompanying original EK II Besitzzeugnis is dated 14 October 1942 and identifies Heimann as serving with 11./ Infanterie-Regiment 50. The certificate bears the large original signature of the divisional commander, with the rank designation Generalmajor u. Div.Kdr Hermann Recknagel (RK+EL+SW, KIA!).

The accompanying Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber Besitzzeugnis is dated 25 April 1943 and identifies Heimann as serving with 9./ Grenadier-Regiment 50, signed by the Major und Regimentsführer.

Infanterie-Regiment 50 was redesignated Grenadier-Regiment 50 on 15 October 1942. The regiment was subsequently subordinated to the 111. Infanterie-Division, while Heimann’s Wehrpass documents his earlier service with Infanterie-Regiment 50.

Combat service and death

The Wehrpass contains particularly interesting entries concerning Heimann’s wounds and subsequent service.

Most significantly, the final entries document his death on 12 January 1944. This is supported by the accompanying original period memorial card, which states that Obergefreiter Willi Heimann fell on 12 January 1944 during the heavy fighting in the East.

This gives the grouping an unusually strong personal dimension: the Wehrpass, awards, photographs and contemporary memorial material all remain together.

Original photographs

The grouping is accompanied by a selection of original period photographs, including:

• A particularly striking wedding photograph of Willi Heimann and his bride
• Several photographs of Heimann in uniform
• Portrait photographs
• Informal wartime photographs
• A photograph showing him in greatcoat and field equipment

The wedding photograph is especially appealing, showing Heimann in uniform alongside his bride and providing a rare personal image directly connected with the documented soldier.

An excellent research and display piece, with considerable additional potential for further unit and casualty research.

Condition: Original period condition throughout, with age-related toning, staining, folds, handling wear and some edge/corner damage to individual photographs and documents. The Wehrpass remains complete and highly legible, with the original photograph, stamps, handwritten entries and signatures retained.