Germany, Heer. A Soldbuch & Documents To Artillery Gunner Heinz Fischer (Battle Of The Bulge)

The collection consists of: a Soldbuch (104x145mm, better than fine); a Wound Badge in Black award document (139x199mm, fair); six wartime photos (57x57mm to 87x139mm, very fine to extremely fine); a post war French temporary work permit (81x120mm, extremely fine); a post war French ID and travel card (88x127mm).

The Soldbuch is dated to Chemnitz (eastern Germany) on July 11, 1944. The Wound Badge in Black award document is named to Kanonier (gunner) Heinz Fischer of the 4th Battery of Artillery Regiment 1560 for being wounded once on February 25, 1945. It is dated to March 12, 1945 and signed in blue crayon by a Chief Medical Officer and Oberstabsarzt, the name is illegible.

Two of the photos show Fischer on his own, one in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. In both these photos he wears an RAD (Reichsarbeitsdienst = National Labour Service) uniform. There are two more photos of him during his RAD term with other comrades. The other two photos show an identical picture of him with comrades serving on his artillery unit, probably during basic training.

The post war French work permit was issued in Bordeaux on February 27, 1948. It states that Fischer is eligible to work between October 24, 1947 and October 23, 1948.

The post war French ID and travel card is dated to Bordeaux on December 18, 1947. It states that Fischer is permitted to travel from France back to Germany via the British occupied zone, and for the return journey to France, between January 5 and February 5, 1948.

The collection comes with extensive research from the previous owner on Fischer’s unit’s role during the Battle of the Bulge.

Footnote: Heinz Fischer was born on February 27, 1926 in Gersdorf near Zwickau (eastern Germany). After finishing school, he served his mandatory term in the RAD (Reichsarbeitsdienst = National Labour Service). Afterwards, Fischer joined the army, presumably in 1944. He received his basic training in the Signals Battalion of Artillery Replacement and Training Battalion 50. Fischer served on Artillery Regiment 1560 in the rank of Kanonier (gunner). He was wounded on February 25, 1945 and recovered in hospital in Bad Rappenau between March 1 and March 31, 1945, before being transferred to hospital in Bad Wimpfen with no release date given in the Soldbuch. However, the Wound Badge in Black award document is dated to Bad Wimpfen on March 12, 1945. No further details are known about Fischer’s service in the army. He survived the war and in October of 1947 became a temporary worker in the department of Girone, surrounding the city of Bordeaux. His field of work is stated as agricultural. Potentially Fischer worked in wine-growing. His permit was valuable for one year. There is no further information.