Germany, Heer. A Wehrpaß, Award Documents, And Photographs To Driver Staff Corporal Alfred Gubelius

(Heer Wehrpaß). The Wehrpaß was issued to Alfred Gubelius on 6 November 1939 in Iserlohn. The Wehrpaß, an example of the Second Type, has a thin green cardboard binding with a cover displaying a Wehrmacht eagle with spread wings and a mobile swastika, and Gothic letters spelling Wehrpaß. The box in the upper-right corner contains the letter G. written in black ink, and the bottom-centre is stamped Heer in red ink. 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 Gubelius in plain clothes is riveted to the second page and stamped with two diagonally opposite stamps. Information pertaining to Gubelius’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 10.6 cm (w) 14.8 cm (h), presenting very mild discolouration and creasing, and in overall very fine condition.

Six award documents to Alfred Gubelius, including a Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Bronze, signed in black ink by the regiment commander, dated 18 October 1940, measuring 14.8 cm (w) x 21.1 cm (h), and in very fine condition. A Eiserne Kreuz 2. Klasse document, signed in pencil crayon by the commander of the 12th Panzer Division, dated 20 September 1941, measuring 14 cm (w) x 19.8 cm (h), displaying some wear along edges, and in otherwise good condition. A Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42, signed in black ink by the company leader, dated 27 July 1942, measuring 14 cm (w) x 20 cm (h), displaying some wear along edges and a folding crease, and in near very fine condition. A Kraftfahrbewährungsabzeichen in Bronze, signed in black ink by the commander of Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 12, dated 17 October 1943, measuring 15 cm (w) x 20.9 cm (h), displaying some fraying along edges and a folding crease, and in near very fine condition. A Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz, signed in pencil crayon by the the commander of Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 12, dated 27 January 1944, measuring 13.9 cm (w) x 19.7 cm (h), displaying a folding crease, and in very fine condition. A Kraftfahrbewährungsabzeichen in Silber, signed in pencil by the leader of Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 12, dated 17 November 1944, measuring 14 cm (w) x 20 cm (h), displaying a folding crease, and in very fine condition.

A health card, constructed of green cardstock, measuring 20.9 cm (w) x 14.7 cm (h), with information entered by typewriter, and in near very fine condition.

An Entlassungsschein (Certificate of Discharge), presenting Personal Particulars, Medical Certificate, and Particulars of Discharge, signed in black ink by Captain J.W. Roberts, dated 23 May 1946, measuring 20.5 cm (w) x 27.8 cm (h), displaying heavy wear, fraying, and creasing, and in poor condition.

A grouping of small, black-and-white photographs, presenting armoured vehicles from Gubelius’s Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion, depicting Gubelius in uniform with family and peers, five measuring 9.3 cm (w) x 6.5 cm (h), four measuring 8.7 cm (w) x 6 cm (h), three measuring 7.7 cm (w) x 6.4 cm (h), one measuring 5.8 cm (w) x 7.2 cm (h), one measuring 4.4 cm (w) x 5.8 cm (h), one measuring 4 cm (w) x 5.4 cm (h), and one measuring 5.1 cm (w) x 3.4 cm (h), all in conditions ranging from near very fine to very fine.

An article about the Russian Campaign, by Leutnant Jasper, measuring 20.1 cm (w) x 29.7 cm (h), presenting tearing and wear around the edges, folding creases, and in fair condition.

Footnote: Alfred Anton Gubelius was born on 6 April 1912 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, to parents Hermann and Maria. After a physical examination on 14 November 1939, Gubelius was deemed fit for war, and assigned to Ersatz Reserve I for untrained, fully qualified men under the age of thirty-five. He enlisted on 9 January 1940 and was assigned to the Infanterie-Ersatz-Bataillon (mot.) 5 in Szczecin on 10 January 1940. Gubelius stayed with the 1st Kompanie of the Infanterie-Ersatz-Bataillon (mot.) 5 until 28 March 1940. Gubelius transferred to the 6th Kompanie of the Infanterie Regiment 5 and participated in the attack on France, pushing through Belgium and northern France to the Channel coast, marching through Brittany and capturing Brest. For his efforts, Gubelius received the Infantry Assault Badge, Bronze Grade, on 18 November 1940. After France, he was stationed in Germany, transferring to the 3rd Kompanie of the Kradschützen-Bataillon 22 on 20 August 1940. He received a promotion to Gefreiter (Lance Corporal) on 1 September 1940. In 1941, Gubelius joined the Eastern Campaign, aiding the effort in Minsk and Smolensk, until transferring to Leningrad in September, where he stayed until the end of 1942.

Gubelius received the Iron Cross, II Class, on 20 September 1941 and was promoted to Obergefreiter (Corporal) on 1 March 1942. In addition, he received the Eastern Front Medal on 27 July 1942. From the end of 1942 to August 1944, Gubelius was stationed on the Eastern Front as part of the 12 Panzer Division, having transferred to the 3rd Kompanie of the Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilungen 12 (Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion 12) in April of 1943. At an unknown date, he was promoted to Hauptmann (Captain) as well as being awarded a Bronze Grade Driver Proficiency Badge on 17 October 1943. On 29 October 1943, Gubelius was shot through the right lower arm and the bullet went right through. Thus, on 27 January 1944, he was awarded a Wound Badge, Black Grade. Further injuries occured in the summer of 1944, all from grenade splinters, one to the left index finger on 14 July, one to the left eye on 10 August, and one to the right cheek on 27 August. Gubelius received a Silver Grade Driver Proficiency Badge on 17 November 1944 and was promoted to Stabsgefreiter (Staff Corporal) on 1 February 1945. He was officially discharged from the Heer on 23 May 1946.