Germany, Heer. A Wehrpaß & Documents To Lieutenant Alexander Schmidt (Ek1, Kia In Africa)

A group of documents and photographs belonging to Leutnant Alexander Schmidt.

The Wehrpaß was issued to Alexander Schmidt on 18 December 1936. The Wehrpaß, an example of the First Type, has a grey thin cardboard binding with a cover displaying a national eagle, and Gothic letters spelling “Wehrpaß.” The box in the upper-right corner contains “Schm.” written in blue ink, and bottom-centre is stamped “Heer” in red ink. The Wehrpaß contains 52 pages with personal data, examination and recruitment information, in addition to reports of active military service. A portrait of Schmidt in plain clothes is riveted to the second page and stamped with two diagonally opposite stamps. Information pertaining to Schmidt’s physical examination are on page 5, his RAD service on page 8, his military service on page 11 to 12, promotions and appointments on page 22 to 23, and his battles and engagements on page 32 to 33. 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), minor discolouration and creasing, and in very fine condition. The Wehrpaß comes in a black, leather ID holder stamped “Ausweise” (“ID Cards”) on the exterior front cover, measures 11.5 cm (w) x 16.3 cm (h). In addition to the Wehrpaß, the holder contains four, small black-and-white photographs, depicting Schmidt in uniform dated 1939, Schmidt in Africa, his grave marker and his brother standing at the grave in 1942.

In addition to the Wehrpaß, the grouping includes a thank you note from Schmidt’s next-of-kin, constructed of white cardstock and written in black type, measures 13.1 cm (w) x 8.6 cm (h), shows no creasing, minor discolouration from a paper-clip, and in extremely fine condition.

The award documents named to Schmidt include:

1. A Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen (West Wall Medal), dated 20 May 1940, in Wiesbaden, signed in black ink by Artillery Regiment 33 Commander, and measures 14.9 cm (w) x 21.05 cm (h).

2. A Sturmabzeichen (General Assault Badge), dated 1 October 1941, signed in black ink by Commander of the 15th Panzer Division Generalmajor Walter Neumann-Silkow, recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, KIA on 9 December 1941, and measures 14.9 cm (w) x 21.05 cm (h).

3. A Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse (Iron Cross First Class), dated 1 March 1942, signed in black ink by Commander of the 15th Panzer Division Generalmajor Gustav von Vaerst, recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, and measures 13.8 cm (w) x 20 cm (h). He received an Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse on 20 October 1940 (document not included here).

4) A Verwundetenabzeichen (Wound Badge), in Black, dated 16 December 1941, in Afrika, signed in black ink presumably by Hauptmann Hermann Mayer, Commander of the 1st Battery of Artillery Regiment 33, and measures 13.9 cm (w) x 19.9 cm (h).

All the award documents present two punched holes on left edge and a central folding crease.

There is no mention of the “Afrika” cuff title in the Wehrpaß, which Schmidt was eligible to receive.

Footnote: Alexander Schmidt was born 9 August 1919 in Worms. He completed his RAD service from April to October 1937. Schmidt enlisted in the Germany Army on 3 November 1937 with the 9th Battery of the Artillery Regiment 33. Schmidt was sworn in on 12 November 1937. He received a promotion to Gefreiter (Lance Corporal) and Reserveoffizier-Anwärter (Reserve Officer Candidate) on 1 October 1938. Schmidt’s next promotion, to Unteroffizier (NCO), came in June of 1939, and, less than a year later, was promoted to Wachtmeister (Sergeant equivalent of the Artillery). He did not see action during the Polish campaign, but, starting in May 1940, Schmidt participated in the attack on France via Luxembourg and Belgium. He transferred to the 7th Battery of the Artillery Regiment 33 on 1 September 1940 and at the same time received a promotion to Leutnant (Lieutenant). A month later, he transferred to the 3rd Battery of Artillery Regiment 33. Schmidt joined the 1st Battery of Artillery Regiment (Motorized) 33 on 11 November 1940. After being briefly stationed in the homeland area, he was shipped out to Africa in late April of 1941.Between May 1941 and July 1942, Schmidt fought in Africa and participated in all major battles in the area, including the Siege of Tobruk. On 18 May 1942, Artillery Regiment 33 was renamed Panzer Artillery Regiment 33. Schmidt received an Italian/German African Campaign Medal on 19 May 1942 and an Italian War Merit Cross on 12 February 1942 (award documents not included here). Schmidt was killed in action at the First Battle of El Alamein and died on 21 July 1942. An entry in the Wehrpaß suggests that Schmidt was posthumously promoted to Oberleutnant on 1 September 1942.