D-125 Grossdeutschland Soldbuch and
Driver’s License for Stabsgefreiter Otto Anton Weber, Panzer-Abwehr
(Anti-Tank)
This book is a very unusual piece, for a very desirable Unit (Großdeutschland).
It has suffered over time, however, and was once – likely with its owner - in
Soviet hands since the name written on the front is in Russian letters, and
faint traces of other Russian writings are also visible. The wood pattern, light
brown cover is the usual form, but the front of the book shows no sign
whatsoever of normal printed National eagle and the words “Soldbuch sogleich
personal Ausweis” ("Pay Book and Personal Identification"). The
reverse cover has a printed message normally found on the inward folding back
cover flap (this book does not have one). There is a good deal of soiling and
heavy wear, both inside and out, with a brown paper tape reinforcement strip
over the binding (split nonetheless). Many of the pages in the front half of the
book are glued to the front cover, and those in the back to themselves and to
the rear cover since the split along most of the binding eliminated the staples
that originally secured the pages. There is a pretty decent photo of Weber
(older than he appears in the driver ’s license picture), with circular
certification stamps noting some sort of office and a Field Post number.
Although it appears that Weber began his service in Anti-tank Battalion 643,
this later became a part of the famous “Grossdeutschland” Regiment (later
Division) in 1942. Among the only stamps in this Soldbuch that indicate
Grossdeutschland are two on the last medical section pages: “Inf. Division
Grossdeutschland Panz. Jäg. Abt.”. There is also an indication of a brief
assignment in “Pz.–Inst. Zug 500” – if the “Inst.” Is an
abbreviation for Instandzetzungs-Zug, this would indicate our man served in a
repair platoon for tanks. The Soldbuch has quite a few other assorted entries,
though wear and tear has caused some fading to some; Weber’s award entries
show that he earned the Iron Cross 2nd Class, the Eastern Front Medal, a General
Assault Badge and a driver's proficiency “in Bronze”. The driver’s license
document is a great example of the usual Army grey oilcloth (impregnated fabric)
pattern license booklet. Other than for some minor surface soiling and a
dog-eared corner or two, it’s in very good condition, and about the same size
as the Soldbuch. The license was issued in 1936, granting Weber license to
operate Class II motor vehicles. The photo shot is excellent – there is some
puckering to the emulsion surface, but Weber’s image is still clear and shows
a handsome young dark haired young fellow in an intriguing uniform: pleated
pockets with lightly scalloped pocket flaps, shoulder boards with pointed tops
and having the Anti-Tank “P” cipher and Unit number “37” ciphers
embroidered on them (but the collar is the same color as the tunic material -
i.e., not dark bluish-green). All in all a very intriguing document set for a
soldier who served (eventually) in Grossdeutschland, and with some accompanying
photocopied information provided on the Units.
$395.00
Reduced Price: $300.00
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Item D-125
