Description
WEHRPASS – GERHARD FRANKE – INF. REGT. 67 – 23. INFANTERIE-DIVISION – POLENFELDZUG – WESTFELDZUG – OSTFRONT – WOUNDED 1941
Details:
Wehrpass issued to Gerhard Franke, born 5 December 1919 in Berlin-Neukölln. Protestant, occupation Schüler (student). Examined in Berlin and accepted as a Freiwilliger (volunteer), later entering active service on 15 November 1938 with 7. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 67 at Berlin-Spandau. Franke served with Infanterie-Regiment 67, part of the 23. Infanterie-Division, seeing early-war service in Poland, the Western Campaign, and the opening phase of the Eastern Front. He was wounded on 23 July 1941 in Russia while serving with Infanterie-Regiment 67.
Service & Campaigns:
Served primarily with 7. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 67, with later postings to replacement and convalescent units connected to Infanterie-Ersatz-Bataillon 67.
Poland 1939 (Polenfeldzug): Participated in the September campaign, including:
- Battle in West Prussia
- Fighting for the Brahe crossings
- Fighting in the Tucheler Heide
- Pursuit operations in East Poland
Western Campaign 1940 (France): Participated in operations including:
- Fighting in Belgium and France
- Advance through Luxembourg / Belgium
- Fighting near Rancourt and Chaumont
- Crossings and advance operations toward the Aisne / Marne / Loire sectors
Eastern Front 1941: Participated in early Operation Barbarossa fighting, including:
- Fighting near Suraz on 24 June 1941
- Forest fighting near Suprasl on 28 June 1941
- Wounded in Russia on 23 July 1941
Awards:
- Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen (Infantry Assault Badge) – awarded 30 July 1941
- Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (Wound Badge in Black) – awarded 12 May 1942 for wound received in Russia
Promotions:
- Obergrenadier – 1 October 1939
- Gefreiter – 1 January 1940
- Obergefreiter – 1 May 1941
- Unteroffizier – 1 October 1942
Wounds:
- 23 July 1941: Wounded in Russia, recorded as a gunshot wound / splinter injury, while serving with Infanterie-Regiment 67
- Later medical/recovery entry noted from 20 July 1942 – 19 September 1942 with a reserve hospital stay
Service Notes:
Trained and qualified on:
- Gewehr 98k
- l.M.G. 34
- Pistole 08
- Hand grenade
Included with the Wehrpass is an original company letter dated 8 August 1941 from 7./I.R. 67, informing Franke that the company was forwarding his Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen and congratulating him for front-line actions at Rancourt, Chaumont, Suraz, and Suprasl.
Discharge / Status:
- Continued wartime service after recovery and replacement-unit postings
- Final Wehrpass entry dated 20 April 1945, noting discharge after release from a home/recovery unit in Berlin-Spandau
- Survived the war as far as recorded in the Wehrpass
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