Geramny. A Wehrpaß & Gesundheitsbuch To Obergefreiter Michael Kraus (Eastern Front)

Wehrpaß measuring 105x146mm, near extremely fine condition with light scuffing and creasing of the cover. Gesundheitsbuch measuring 145x205mm, better than very fine condition with light scuffing and fraying and some creasing of the cover. The Wehrpass is dated to June 5, 1936.

Footnote: Michael Kraus was born on January 28, 1916 in Nuremberg. Prior to joining the army he had received the SA Sports Badge and the Golden Honour Badge of the HJ. On April 1, 1935 Kraus began his basic military training with the 5th Company of 2nd Battalion of Infantry Regiment Regensburg, which ended on October 12. In a letter from 1943 he stated that during this time he first experienced kidney issues. After being examined the doctors surgically removed a kidney stone, yet his condition didn’t improve. The next mention of military service is for January of 1940 when Kraus served in the Military District Command of Regensburg, most likely in an administrative function. He stated that this service was a “working vacation”. Kraus was promoted to Gefreiter (Lance Corporal) on December 1, 1940. He stated that during this time his kidney issues were almost completely gone, which is why in October of 1941 he requested to be put to front service. In late October Kraus was redeployed to the 2nd Company of Infantry Replacement Battalion (mot.) 20 Regensburg on the Eastern Front, with which he served, with a short interruption, until April 1942. From January 8 to 20 he was treated for renal inflammation. Kraus received his final promotion to Obergefreiter (Corporal) on March 1, 1942. Between May and September he served with the Staff of the 10th Infantry Division, yet had to be treated again in July. His condition must have deteriorated, because between September 1942 and March 1943 he was deployed to the Convalescent Company of Grenadier Replacement Battalion (mot) 20 Regensburg. During this time he underwent a 3 months long spa treatment. Kraus was then transferred to the Core Company of the same battalion until August 1943. Afterwards, until June 1944, he served in the 3rd Company of Landesschützen Battalion 829. During this time Kraus wrote a letter to his superiors asking to be allowed to go on another spa treatment to improve his condition enough so that he could serve at the front again. Presumably the request was denied. On April 21 he had to undergo treatment for kidney stones again. He was released from the hospital on May 9. Kraus then served on the Staff of Veterinary Replacement Detachment 13 from June to October, and in October was redeployed to the 3rd Company of Landesschützen Battalion 847, with which he stayed until at least March of 1945.