Germany, Heer. A Wehrpaß Belonging To Otto Schöpke, Bandenkampfabzeichen Recipient

(Heer Wehrpaß). The Wehrpaß was issued to Otto Schöpke on 8 July 1942. The Wehrpaß, an example of the First Type, has a grey thin cardboard binding with a cover displaying a national eagle with folded wings and a mobile swastika, and Gothic letters spelling Wehrpaß. The box in the upper-right corner contains Sch. written in black ink, and the bottom-centre is stamped Heer in red ink. The owner’s last name SCHÖPKE is written in capital letters across the top. The Wehrpaß contains 52 pages with personal data, reports of active military service, training and schooling, official promotions and appointments, orders and medals, battles and operations, injuries and serious illnesses, and equipment sizes. A portrait of Schöpke in uniform is riveted to the second page and stamped with two diagonally opposite stamps. Information pertaining to Schöpke’s military service on pages 11 to 12, his weapon training on pages 20 and 21, promotions and appointments on page 22 to 23, and his battles and engagements on page 32 to 33, and a record of wounds and illnesses on page 34. The inside rear cover is marked D.R.G.M. (Deutsches Reichsgebrauchsmuster) 1 367 174 and maker marked Metten & Co., Berlin SW 61 on the back cover, measuring 10.5 cm (w) 14.6 cm (h), presenting mild discolouration and creasing, the inside pages have detached from the binding, and in overall good condition.

Footnote: Otto Schöpke was born on 24 December 1913 in Aufhalt an der Oder, Freystadt to parents Paul and Emma Schöpke. He enlisted in the German Army on 4 April 1934, and was sworn in on 22 April 1934, with the 2nd Kompanie of the 3rd Pionier-Bataillon 3. In the Autumn of that same year, Schöpke transferred to the 1st Kompanie of Pionier-Bataillon Glogau until 5 October 1936. During that time, he received a promotion to Gefreiter (Lance Corporal) on 1 April 1935, and to Unteroffizier (NCO), a year later. From 6 October 1936 to 30 September 1937, Schöpke served with the 2nd Kompanie of Pionier-Bataillon 28. From 1 October 1937 to 26 August 1939, he served with the 2nd Kompanie of Pionier-Bataillon 35. On 1 April 1938, he received a promotion to Feldwebel (Sergeant). From 27 August 1939 to 23 November 1940, Schöpke served with the 3rd (mot.) Kompanie of Pionier-Bataillon 178 and was promoted to Oberfeldwebel (Master Sergeant) on 1 November 1939. During this time, he participated in the western campaigns in Luxembourg, Belgium, and northern France, and in the occupation forces in France. From 24 November 1940 to 18 December 1941, Schöpke fought with the 2nd Kompanie of Pionier-Bataillon 178, during this time he participated in various battles such as Bialystok and Smolensk, and aided in the push against Moscow and Voronezh that winter. For his efforts, Schöpke received the War Merit Cross, II Class, with Swords. He spend the end of Winter 1941 to Spring 1942 recovering from injuries. On 22 April 1942, Schöpke joined the 3rd Kompanie of Pionier-Ersatz-Bataillon 35, transfering to the 1st Kompanie in July 1942. From 27 October 1942 to 14 December 1942, Schöpke served with the Stammkompanie of Pionier-Ersatz-Bataillon 35, then transferred to the Eastern Front with the 1st Kompanie of Pionier-Bataillon 369 (Croatian), combating the resistance movements in Croatia. On 25 March 1943, Schöpke earned the Iron Cross, II Class. From 28 February 1945 to 8 May 1945, Schöpke fought with the Stab Pionier-Bataillon 369 (Croatian), earning the Bandenkampfabzeichen, Bronze Grade (Bandit-warfare Badge) on 4 May 1945. Recipients of the Bandenkampfabzeichen, Bronze Grade, completed 20 combat days against “bandits” aka partisan and resistance movements.