Germany, Heer. A Wehrpaß And Health Book To Gefreiter Dr. Walter Schott, Discharged Due To Abnormal Mental Condition

The Wehrpaß is dated to June 5, 1937. Measuring 105x144mm, very fine condition with some scuffing and creasing of the cover. The Health Book comes with several doctor’s notes and transcripts, dated between 1933 and 1945, providing details concerning Schott’s physical and psychological defects. It measures 142x206mm, better than very fine condition with light scuffing and soiling of the cover.

Footnote:

Walter Schott was born on November 21, 1905 in Augsburg, Bavaria. He studied at university and became district court councillor. He was also an SA member, joining some time in or before 1934. Schott began suffering from heart disease in 1933. His physical inadequacies resulted in psychological problems, leading to a nervous breakdown in 1934, for which he had to spend time in a psychiatric hospital. Schott volunteered for army service in 1937. He served for less than two weeks in the 5th Company of Signals Detachment 7 in Munich where he tried to become a radio operator. However, Schott was unable to finish the training course. He was discharged due to unfitness for duty. Nevertheless, he was drafted in 1943 and joined Landesschützen Training Battalion 13 in August. Towards the end of the year he was redeployed to the 3rd Company of Landesschützen Battalion 847 with which he stayed until early April of 1945. On February 1, 1944 Schott was promoted to Gefreiter (Lance Corporal). Due to his heart disease, Schott was mustered as able only for garrison duty in the homeland. He was also nightblind to the point his comrades had to physically guide him in the dark. In a letter, a doctor writes that Schott stated he didn’t want people to think he was a draft dodger, so despite his health problems gave it his all, even though physically training was very demanding. Partially because he felt inadequate, partially because of his nervous character Schott slipped into a state of depression. He had also had low self-esteem, but not being able to perform his duties pushed him over the edge. In May of 1944, his doctor diagnosed an “abnormal mental condition” and re-classified him as unfit for duty, but fit for work. In April of 1945, he was deemed unfit for any kind of military assigned and was discharged.