WWII Luftwaffe Flak Wehrpass – Afrikakorps, Afrika Campaign – KIA 1943 in Libya (3x Awards)

Offered here is an original German WWII Wehrpass belonging to Wilhelm Pelzer, a Luftwaffe/Flak serviceman whose service record documents his participation in the North African campaign.

Service Details

• Name: Wilhelm Pelzer
• Born: 4 February 1913
• Branch: Luftwaffe / Flak
• Initial unit: Flak-Regiment 64
• Later units:
  • Reserve-Flak-Abteilung 642
  • Flak-Regiment 46, serving with this unit until 17 January 1943
• Occupation: Hilfsarbeiter

The Wehrpass contains entries documenting his Flak training, including training on the 2 cm Flak 30 and 2 cm Flak 38, as well as his subsequent operational service.

North Africa Service

One of the most interesting aspects of this Wehrpass is the documented movement to Italy and subsequently North Africa in 1942.

The entries record his deployment during the campaign and place him in the North African theatre, making this more than simply a Luftwaffe Flak service document with a possible African connection.

His service history includes participation in the fighting in North Africa, including the Tobruk area, placing the Wehrpass firmly within the history of the German Afrika campaign.

Awards

The Wehrpass records several awards, including:

• Medaille zur Erinnerung an die Heimkehr des Sudetenlandes (Sudetenland Medal)
• Flakkampfabzeichen (Flak Combat Badge) – with the relevant entry referring to z.b.V. Afrika
• Deutsch-Italienische Erinnerungsmedaille (German-Italian Commemorative Medal)

Death in North Africa

Particularly significant is the final entry in his service history.

Wilhelm Pelzer was killed in action on 17 January 1943 at Beni Ulid (Bani Walid), Libya, through a gunshot wound to the chest — “durch Brustdurchschuss.”

His death date and location therefore provide a very specific connection between the document and the final stages of his service in the North African campaign.

Condition / Notes

The original photograph has unfortunately been removed from the Wehrpass. Nevertheless, the surviving pages contain substantial military and operational information, including his unit history, training, awards and North African deployment, making this a particularly interesting original document for collectors of Luftwaffe Flak, Afrika Korps and North Africa campaign material.

A very interesting named Wehrpass with documented North African service, Flak combat decoration and a recorded KIA date and location.

An excellent addition to a collection focused on the Luftwaffe, German Flak units, Afrika Korps / North Africa campaign, or named WWII military documents.