Description
AFRIKAKORPS SOLDBUCH – RUDOLF SCHELENZ –INFANTERIE-LEHR-REGIMENT – LEHR BRIGADE (MOT.) 900 – AFRIKA (PANZER A.O.K. 5) – EXCHANGED POW
DETAILS:
Soldbuch issued to Rudolf Schelenz, born 27 February 1921 in Berlin. Protestant; occupation Musiker. Great uniform photo showing him wearing Musician Swallows – uncommon for a Soldbuch. Inducted 3 May 1940 through Infanterie-Lehr-Regiment.
Subsequent field service with Stab / Infanterie-Regiment (mot.) 900 – part of the elite LEHR BRIGADE (mot.) 900, followed by transfer via Marsch-Bataillon Afrika / 34 to North Africa. A key entry records that the soldier arrived on African soil on 12 February 1943, placing him in-theater during the final phase of the Tunisia campaign.
Later entries confirm assignment within the area of Panzer A.O.K. 5, firmly tying the Soldbuch to the Afrika theater. Service record reflects movement through frontline and replacement structures typical of late-war Africa-bound reinforcements, with continued documentation through Sanitäts-Kompanie 190 and Feldlazarett (mot.) 667.
Medical entries record a diagnosis of appendicitis, first noted 11 November 1942, with declaration of fitness for service on 14 January 1943. The close timing suggests deployment shortly after recovery, followed by re-entry into the medical system.
A highly important entry records Schelenz as an “ausgetauschter Kriegsgefangener” (exchanged prisoner of war). The notation cites an OKW / WFSt directive (Original I, Nr. 3107 HH, geheim, dated 3 June 1944), specifying that he was to be employed only within the “Altes Reichsgebiet” (Old Reich territory). This confirms prior captivity and formal exchange, followed by restricted service status.
This sequence strongly indicates that Schelenz was captured (likely in connection with the collapse of Axis forces in North Africa), subsequently exchanged, and returned to German control under limited-duty conditions.
Post-Africa service is further supported by the award of the Ostmedaille, indicating Eastern Front service prior to or in conjunction with these events.
Soldbuch contains numerous field-use and administrative entries, including equipment issue, pay records, and unit transfers. Several entries document hospitalization, recovery status, and repeated periods of convalescence in 1944, including recorded Erholungsurlaub (recovery leave), reflecting continued medical limitations following captivity and illness.
UNITS:
Infanterie-Lehr-Regiment
Infanterie-Regiment (mot.) 900
Marsch-Bataillon Afrika / 34
Panzer A.O.K. 5
Sanitäts-Kompanie 190
Feldlazarett (mot.) 667
Grenadier-Ersatz-Bataillon 50
Infanterie-Lehr- und Versuchs-Bataillon
Lehrkommando der Infanterie
AWARDS:
Ostmedaille – awarded 31 August 1942
PROMOTIONS:
Oberschütze – 1 November 1940
Gefreiter – 1 September 1941
Obergefreiter – 1 October 1942
Unteroffizier – 1 December 1942
MEDICAL:
Appendicitis (entry recorded 11.11.1942; fit for service 14.01.1943)
Post-captivity restricted duty status (OKW / WFSt directive, 03.06.1944)
Multiple hospitalizations and convalescence entries through 1944
“`
