Luftwaffe Soldbuch – Festung Saint-Nazaire (Kampfgruppe Nietsch & Fronteinsatz with K.M.Gr. Hellmund)

An original Luftwaffe Soldbuch issued to Hans Küsters, born 7 August 1920 in München-Gladbach, featuring its original uniformed portrait photograph and extensive wartime entries covering his military career from 1941 until the closing months of the Second World War.

The Soldbuch was first issued on 30 September 1941 while serving with a Rekrutenausbildungskompanie der Landesschützenkompanie Handorf at Fliegerhorst Plantlünne. Throughout the war, Küsters served with several Luftwaffe ground formations, including Landesschützen-Zug 407/VI, Landesschützen-Kompanie 7/VII, and later 1. Kompanie/ Kampfunterlage Nietsch. From 28.1.1945 until 18.2.1945 he was ordered to Front service with the 2./K.M.Gr. Hellmund!

His promotions are clearly recorded:

• Gefreiter – 1 May 1942
• Obergefreiter – 1 October 1943
• (?) Unteroffizier (NCO Candidate) – 1 October 1944

Of particular historical interest are the numerous official entries documenting his assignment to the Festung Saint-Nazaire, one of the last German Atlantic fortresses to remain under German control until after Germany’s surrender in May 1945.

The document also contains:

• Original portrait photograph in Luftwaffe uniform.
• Numerous official unit stamps and signatures.
• Detailed unit transfer history.
• Uniform and equipment issue pages.
• Pay and allowance entries.
• Multiple leave entries.
• Hospital and administrative annotations.
• Service entries extending into 1945.

The Soldbuch shows honest wartime service wear, with age-related staining and rust marks from the original staples securing the photograph. The cover exhibits expected wear from prolonged field use, while the interior remains complete, well preserved, and highly legible.

A historically interesting and well-filled Luftwaffe Soldbuch documenting continuous wartime service, culminating in duty within the Festung Saint-Nazaire during the final phase of the Second World War. A desirable research and collector’s piece with excellent display potential thanks to its original portrait photograph and extensive wartime entries.