D-181 Outstanding Wehrpass for a Member of SS
Panzer Regiment 1 of the 1st SS Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf
Hitler" ("LSSAH")
This Wehrpass belonged to SS-Unterscharführer Otto Lietzau, who was
born on 23 August 1922 in Danzig. It has a remarkable photo of Lietzau wearing a
SS uniform with double Totenkopf collar tabs! Lietzau served with Company
“Breckmeier” of SS Heimwehr Danzig from 1 September 1939, the first day
of WWII. Lietzau held out in and fought in and around Danzig until the
Germans arrived there. Thereafter, Lietzau was assigned to the 2nd Company of SS
Totenkopf Regiment 3 on 8 September 1939, a Unit that was headquartered in
Dachau. With this Unit, he fought in the campaign against France, Lithuania,
Latvia and the Eastern Front. On 16 January, he suffered from frostbite of both
feet. On 17 January 1942, Lietzau began serving as a driver with the 8th Motor
Vehicle Company of the "LSSAH," remaining with this Unit until 19
January 1943. From 20 January - 31 January 1943, he served with the 18th
(heavy motor vehicle) column which carried fuel supplies of the "LSSAH."
Thereafter, he was trained to drive the Panzer IV tank and on 1 April 1943, was
posted to the 7th Company of Panzer Regiment 1 LSSAH. On 8 December 1943,
Lietzau was killed in action in Russia - probably as the driver of the tank of
the 7th company’s commander. The Wehrpass was closed out by Untersturmführer
Helmut Wendorff, who later earned the Knight's Cross and was the acclaimed
commander of Heavy SS (Tiger) Tank Battalion 101 (Michael Wittmann's Unit),
claiming a total of 95 kills. Lietzau received the following awards during
his service: Heinwehr Danzig Honor Stickpin (25 November 1939); Infantry Assault
Badge in Bronze (8 October 1941); Eastern Front Medal (25 August 1942); Iron
Cross, 2nd Class (10 October 1943); and the Tank Assault Badge in Silver (15
August 1943). Lietzau was also qualified on multiple Infantry weapons, including
the 98K rifle, light machine gun 08/15, Czech 26 (t) light machine gun, MG-34,
Panzerbüchse (anti-tank rifle) 39, P.08 Luger and hand grenades. This is a
remarkable Wehrpass in fantastic condition, for a decorated tank driver in the
elite "LSSAH.".
$2,750.00
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Item D-181
