KIA Wehrpass – Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 33 (4. Panzer-Division) (PKA, VWA)

An original and highly desirable WWII German Wehrpass grouping belonging to Gefreiter Karl Kirch, born 12 September 1907 in Krefeld, Germany.

The grouping consists of:

• Original Wehrpass with attached portrait photograph
• Official Wehrmeldeamt death notification letter
• Original battlefield grave photograph showing his burial site marked with a wooden cross

The Wehrpass was issued by the Wehrbezirkskommando Düsseldorf and records Karl Kirch’s military career from his mobilization through his combat service on the Eastern Front.

Kirch was employed as a Coilenpflanzer (mine worker/colliery worker) before entering military service.

His recorded wartime units include:

• Stamm-Kompanie Grenadier-Ersatz-Bataillon (mot.) 60
• 2./Grenadier-Ersatz- und Ausbildungs-Bataillon (mot.) 60
• Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 33 of the 4. Panzer-Division

The Wehrpass records his promotion to:

• Gefreiter – 1 April 1943

His combat decorations are officially entered as:

• Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (Black Wound Badge) – awarded 19 February 1944
• Panzerkampfabzeichen in Bronze (Panzer Assault Badge in Bronze) – awarded 17 June 1944

Several wound entries are also recorded in the Wehrpass, documenting injuries sustained during frontline combat, including:

• 19 November 1943-19 December 1943 – WIA
• 13 July 1944 – Shot in the Belly
• 24 July 1944 – Died in the Hauptverbandplatz

A particularly poignant aspect of this grouping is the accompanying official Wehrmeldeamt Krefeld notification letter, dated 2 November 1944, addressed to Maria Kirch, informing her that:

Gefreiter Karl Kirch was killed in action (Heldentod) on 24 July 1944 while serving his country.

Included with the paperwork is an original grave photograph, depicting Kirch’s battlefield burial beneath a simple wooden cross, making this a complete and deeply personal wartime casualty grouping.

Condition is very good overall considering age and wartime use. The Wehrpass retains its original photograph and official entries, while the accompanying death notification letter and original grave photograph remain together with the document.

An outstanding and increasingly difficult-to-find original Wehrmacht casualty grouping combining a combat-used Wehrpass, official KIA notification, and original grave photograph, documenting the military career and ultimate sacrifice of Gefreiter Karl Kirch, recipient of the Panzer Assault Badge in Bronze and the Black Wound Badge. An exceptional researchable and display-worthy set for the advanced collector of German military history.