Germany, Luftwaffe. A Wehrpaß To Artillery Gunner, Heavy Flak Battalion 647

The Wehrpaß is a second type specimen, with discharge papers in the cover pockets. It is dated to Neuss (western Germany) on February 23, 1938. Measuring 105x147mm, very fine condition with scuffing, fraying, and creasing of the cover, and light warping.

Footnote: Arthur Hermann Donecker was born on January 21, 1902 in Gelsenkirchen-Schalke (western Germany). He volunteered for Wehrmacht service and received his initial training between March and May of 1938 as an artillery gunner in the 10th Battery of Flak Regiment 64. Donecker was drafted on September 6, 1939 to serve in Reserve Flak Battalion 407. He was promoted to Gefreiter (Lance Corporal) on October 1. In April of 1940, Donecker was transferred to Reserve Flak Battalion 32. With this unit, he took part in the attack on Norway, as well as fighting British ships in the North Sea, in May and June. Between June and November, Donecker fought in the Battle of Britain. He was promoted to Obergefreiter (Corporal) on July 1, 1941. Between November 1941 and November 1942, Donecker served with the Light Flak Battalion 833 on the Eastern Front and was awarded the Eastern Front Medal on July 12, 1942. He was transferred to Reserve Flak Battalion 162 in December of 1942 and to the 5th Battery of Heavy Flak Battalion 647 in July of 1943. With this unit, he would stay until the end of the war. The battalion was stationed with the 3rd Flak Division in Hamburg, although in early 1945 it was deployed to the Oder river under the command of the 23rd Flak Division.

Donecker was awarded the War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords on July 30, 1943, and the Flak Artillery Badge on December 18 of the same year. On September 1, 1944 he was promoted to Stabsgefreiter (Staff Corporal). Donecker was discharged on April 10, 1945 due to a heart condition and a hydrocele. This is somewhat surprising, seeing as everybody who wasn’t severely handicapped was put to service at this late stage of war, so Donecker’s condition must have been severe. However, he was deemed fit for work service. Donecker survived the war and was officially discharged again on March 24, 1948 by Allied authorities.