Extensive Document Grouping for SS “Germania” NCO-This one will knock your socks off! I just love researching these things. This grouping is very complete, with everything from promotions to awards to capture papers to court/prison papers. Even his post war civilian driver and hunting licenses! The soldiers name was Josef Abels. He was born on July 11, 1918 in Niewenhagen, which was a former village in the Dutch province of Limburg, Holland. There are lots of documents, so let’s get started with the awards. The first is for the EKII, awarded in the field on 14 July 1942 as an unterscharführer and a member of 8./SS Rgt. Germania. Next up is an informal document for the award of the Infantry Assault Badge in Bronze. This was the same unit and rank on 18 February 1942. The next award document is for the Black Wound Badge. It was awarded on 1 March 1943 in the field as an Oberscharführer in the same unit. Finally, an informal document for the award of the Close Combat Clasp in Bronze on 1 April 1943 as a member of Panzer Grenadier Regiment Germania. There are a few promotional and other documents. One that stands out is from when he “re-upped” to complete 12 years in the armed forces. This is dated 1941 and he would have been in the service until 1 October 1948. He was captured by US Forces and imprisoned. His discharge papers are included indicating that he was officially no longer a member of the Waffen SS as of 29.10.1945. There is also court documentation indicating that he was imprisoned for 4 months for being a member of a criminal organization, namely the Waffen SS. He was also fined 750.00 DM. There is a lot more to read! Also included is his drivers license with picture from 1947 and his hunting license issued in 1979! There is a picture in this as well. Inside his hunting license is a receipt from 1988 when he renewed his license. Suffice to say this is a cool grouping!