This page is meant to provide the researcher/reenactor with additional information about the field divisions which should improve their understanding of the impression. The page is broken up into various topics. Some topics will be related exclusively to reenacting while others will be meant to give a broader educational experience and understanding to those interested in the Luftwaffe field divisions.
There were three main forms of identification for all males eligible for military service in World War 2 Germany: the wehrpass, the soldbuch and the erkennungsmarke (identity disc). Each had its own purpose.
The wehrpass was an identification document issued to all male members of the population who were called up to register for military service. Their fitness and suitability for military service was recorded, along with all personal details. If the individual was not needed for immediate military service, then he would continue in civilian employment until required. During this time the wehrpass remained in his possession to be used as a form of identification. However, once an individual was called up for military service the wehrpass was transferred to his unit. It was held at company level and, in the event of a transfer, it was sent onto his new unit. If the holder was discharged, the wehrpass would be returned to him after it had been used to update his records. If the soldier was killed or determined to be missing in action, then the wehrpass would be forwarded to his next-of-kin. The eight images below are from a Wehrpass for a member of 16.Feld Division (Lw) and 18.Feld Division (Lw).
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The soldbuch was issued to all members of the German military once conscripted. Literally meaning "paybook", the soldbuch was the main form of identification for all members of the Wehrmacht. In the Soldbuch the soldier's name, rank, military registration number, physical description (later a photograph), current unit, training unit, issued equipment, medical information, awards issued and pay group information. Below are four pages from a soldbuch for a member of 2.Feld Division (Lw). On these, you will see the front page identifying the soldier, the second page containing personal information about him, the third page containing his unit assignments and finally his awards.
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The erkennungsmarke was the identity disc worn by every member of the Wehrmacht. On this disc, the wearer's identification number (the equivalent of an American GI's serial number) and unit were listed. On many later discs, the wearer's blood group was also included. The discs were perforated in the middle. Upon the wearer's death, the disc would be broken in two. One-half of the disc would remain with the body and the second half would be returned to the company for removal of the decedent from the combatant rolls and for notification of next of kin. Our unit wears the identity disc of its training regiment: Fl. Ausb. Rgt. 52. Below are examples of identity discs for that regiment.
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In order to understand many of the entries made in the soldbuch and wehrpass and on the erkennungsmarke, it is important to have a firm grasp of the various abbreviations employed by the Wehrmacht in completing them. The German Army Unit Glossary provides an excellent resource in deciphering these abbreviations.
Acknowledgements: I would like to thank http://home.clara.net/percy/index.htm and http://www.soldbuchweb.com for the information that I have compiled above relating to the soldbuch, wehrpass and erkennungsmarke. Both of these sites provided excellent additional information on these topics. Should you desire to purchase a reproduction Soldbuch, the owners of http://www.soldbuchweb.com would be happy to provide this service to you.
Below are memorial death cards of individuals who fought and died as members of Luftwaffe field divisions. This practice originated among Catholic families but was soon adopted by all Germans as a means of remembrance for those who died. The cards were usually sent to friends and family members who were unable to attend the memorial service. The third card in the second row is notable because deathcards for officers are not very common. In the last card on the second row, the photo of the soldat depicts him in his Heer uniform prior to his transfer to a Luftwaffe field division. The last card on the third row is a very rare card for a stabsgefreiter for a Luftwaffe sniper unit (thanks to Daniel L. for this card). If you have any death cards for ground division troops that you would like included on this page, please e-mail a scan to me.
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It is vital to a soldier's survival in combat situations to remain concealed. In doing so, soldiers will employ various means by which to ensure that they are not discovered. Among members of the Wehrmacht, the wear of camouflage was often employed. In the field divisions of the Luftwaffe, the basic means of camouflage was provided by the ground combat jacket which is further discussed on the Uniforms and Equipment page. However, in addition to the combat jacket, the splinter pattern zeltbahn (shelter quarter) was also worn for purposes of concealment. There was a specific means for wearing the zeltbahn and the below photo shows its proper wear.
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An additional item of concealment that was uniquely identified as Luftwaffe issue was the veiled helmet net. The net was made of corded jute material that was secured to the helmet by two hooks and a drawstring. Below are illustrations showing the proper attachment of the helmet net to the helmet.
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In this section will be included various items that may be useful to the reenactor wanting to add things to his/her impression without cost. As additiona items are found and uploaded, this list of items will grow.
Below is a bread label for issue rations. Wrap your bread in craft paper, print the label and glue it to the package.
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This printable item includes Luftwaffe property tags. Print the property tags out on colored paper, age and glue to your crate.
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Under the guidelines of the National Firearms Act, certain filings must be made whenever a weapon registered with the NFA is transferred by its owner from one state to another for a reenactment or living history. This page will link you to various addresses of events that members of 18.Feld Division (Lw) have attended.
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