Germany, Luftwaffe. A Soldbuch To Flak Leutnant Gerhard Hennesdorf, 1939

The Soldbuch is dated to October 7, 1939. It is more extensive than the usual Soldbuch, including, for example, first aid instructions for soldiers, information on edible fruits and plants of cold climate countries, and a combat agent fact sheet. Measuring 102x143mm, fair condition with scuffing and creasing of the cover, damage to the spine with period repair, and many pages having come partially or completely loose. This Soldbuch comes with extensive research on Hennesdorf and his units by the previous owner.

Footnote: Gerhard Hennesdorf was born on December 6, 1916 in Waldheim (Saxony). Presumably, he was called up for military service in anticipation of the outbreak of the war or shortly after. Hennesdorf joined the 1st Battalion of Flak Regiment 231 in February of 1940, taking part in the French campaign. Between late January and early February, he spent a few days in hospital due to having tonsillitis. With the attack on Russia, Hennesdorf’s unit was stationed on the Eastern Front. Here, defending a bridge on the Dnieper, he was wounded, taking a grenade splinter to the left shoulder, being treated in hospital between July 16 and 21, 1941.

An entry from the Soldbuch from June of 1942 states that Hennesdorf was unable to serve in tropical climate, a reason is not given. He was promoted to Wachtmeister (Flak Sergeant equivalent) in August of the same year. Hennesdorf was deployed to the 4th Battery of Heavy Flak Battalion 563 in February of 1943, initially defending the airspace over Berlin, before being relocated to Udine in northern Italy. He was promoted to Oberfähnrich (Senior Officer Cadet) on October 1, 1944 and to Lieutenant on November 15, backdated to October 1. Two days later, Hennesdorf joined his final unit, the 3rd Battery of Heavy Flak Battalion 134, stationed in the city of Essen, western Germany. The unit eventually surrendered to Allied forces in the Ruhr pocket in April of 1945.