Germany, SS. A Rare LSSAH Wehrpaß to SS-Rottenführer Gerhard Kösters, Decorated Combatant

(Waffen-SS Wehrpaß). Constructed of a field-grey card stock binding with 52 paginated interior pages filled with handwritten and stamped entries, the cover notably stamped with a Waffen-SS mark, the interior retaining a certified photograph of the bearer in the uniform of a Waffen-SS Enlisted ranks (Mann) uniform with Leibstandarte SS AH (LSSAH) devices clearly visible on his shoulder straps, named to “GERHARD KÖSTERS”, measuring 10.5 cm (w) x 14.5 cm (h), demonstrating minor soiling and fatigue, accompanied by a period canvas multi-pocketed pouch, unmarked, measuring 14 cm (w) x 18 cm (H), a rare example in near extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Gerhard Kösters was born on 14 October 1920 in Nova Topola, Yugoslavia (now within Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina; founded by German settlers as Windthorst in 1879 following the area's incorporation into Austro-Hungarian territory) to Catholic parents Bernhard and Anna (née Böckmann). A citizen of the Independent State of Croatia at the time of enlistment in the spring of 1941, Kösters initially served with SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Ersatz-Battalion III before being transferred to the Nachschubkompanie (Supply Company) of the Leibstandarte SS AH (LSSAH), where he was posted until the early spring of 1942. He went on to serve with 2. Infanterie-Regiment and 2. Panzergrenadier-Regiment of the LSSAH. During this lengthy combat career, Kösters served in France, Italy (anti-Partisan duties), and the Soviet Union, before the LSSAH was shifted to France at the end of June, 1944, to counter the Allied invasion of Normandy. He remained in France and the Low Countries through the end of 1944, before the LSSAH was again shifted to the Eastern Front (Hungary) in desperate last-ditch combat against the advancing Red Army. Kösters received promotions throughout the war, including elevation to SS-Sturmmann on 20 April 1943 and SS-Rottenführer on 1 October 1943. He was also the recipient of numerous awards and decorations, including a Black Grade Wound Badge (13 July 1942), the Eastern Front Medal (7 September 1942), a Panzer Assault Badge in Bronze (6 June 1944), an Driver’s Proficiency Badge of indeterminate date and grade, and a Silver Grade Wound Badge (20 April 1944).